Robert Griffin III has endured all kinds of speculation about his future over the past two years as he has gone from arguably Washington's most popular athlete to its most polarizing. Some think the Redskins have not done enough to help him, others think he does not work hard enough, and some think he just is not good enough to lead an NFL team.
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Head coach Jay Gruden certainly seemed to make his thoughts clear last season when he repeatedly criticized Griffin to the media. However, the coach did say that Griffin was going to be the top guy for Washington in 2015. But could an unexpected draft maneuver change everything for Washington and RG3?
According to 247 Sports, John Clayton is reporting that Philadelphia's trade that landed them Sam Bradford takes them out of the running for trading up to draft coveted Oregon prospect Marcus Mariota, which is a sentiment that Chip Kelly echoed also. But what was really shocking was the mention of Washington as a potential landing spot for Mariota.
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"And honestly, don't discount, he's not going to fall to the Jets at six right now, the Redskins will take him at five," said Clayton. "At least Dan Snyder might not think there's quarterback issues, Jay Gruden and everyone else in the front office thinks there's quarterback issues.
"And if Marcus Mariota falls to five, it's not a position where they're desperate enough to trade up to get him, but if he falls to five, I'm telling you this right now, they'll take him."
Griffin is entering the final year of his contract, so drafting a quarterback would make some sense for Washington if they think RG3 is not their guy. However, they also have until May 3 to pick up the fifth-year option on Griffin's contract (all first-round draft picks have a fifth-year option that teams can choose to pick up or not). With the draft beginning on April 30, the team could wait and see what happens with Mariota before exercising RG3's option.
It is not inconceivable that Mariota could fall to Washington at five. The Buccaneers are expected to take Jameis Winston first overall, and Tennessee is the only other team in front of Washington that needs a quarterback. The Titans are reportedly growing more interested in Mariota, but they still may elect to pass on him, and a number of early mock drafts have seen him still available at the fifth pick.
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