Where does marketing play in all this?

Maybe the owners are smart enough to let football minds dictate who the Titans will draft and stay out of any decision-making process. But we know Bud forced the Titans to take Young as other owners have their early first-round picks throughout NFL history. It is conceivable that the owners will want a say on the pick even though they are inexperienced in owning an NFL team since this is their FIRST NFL draft since taking ownership.

Let's say that no trade is on the table and the pick is Mariota or Williams. If the Titans have the two close in grade, I think ownership would push for Mariota just because it is likely to sell more tickets.

From a marketing standpoint, nothing excites like a new QB. The face of most every successful franchise is their QB (and a successful QB is usually the reason the franchise is successful). The Titans are desperately lacking a face right now (or even a name). Mariota is a bigger name and has a recognizable face vs. Williams. From a marketing standpoint, it's a no-brainer.

Boom/bust happens a lot at the QB position but, if Mariota were even a second-tier franchise NFL QB, it likely equals more $$$ in the long run.

Mariota is the shiny, new Ferrari where Williams is the big, reliable dually. Mariota is going to be the sexier pick.

Let's hope that the pick doesn't come down to who might put more immediate butts into the stadium.

And this doesn't even speculate what a new CEO/President might push for if in place before the draft. I could see one try to put his stamp on things right away by influencing the pick.

 

We don't know what the ownership is thinking right now. They may feel that taking Mariota now gives the franchise a spark and, if he becomes a franchise QB, is the key to long-term franchise success.

 

If they think he's the real deal, and they don't take him, we're doomed.

I'm just venturing into the unknown a bit here. We don't know these owners. We don't know the future CEO/President. We're in unchartered waters here.

I am a little shocked if the media doesn't ask Underwood what influence, if any, he sees the ownership having on the draft pick.