Marcus Mariota Remains Difficult to Trust

BALLER MOVE: Add as low-end QB2

OWNED IN: 52% of Fleaflicker leagues

ANALYSIS: Mariota's up-and-down performance in this past Sunday's home loss to the Oakland Raiders was a perfect microcosm of his rookie season -- a lot of good, but also plenty of bad. He finished with three passing touchdowns, snapping a two-game streak without a score through the air. That's certainly good to see. But he also completed just 17 of his 37 attempts and tossed a pair of interceptions. That's not so good.

In Mariota's defense, the Titans have been a mess offensively all season. The receivers have been injured and ineffective -- sometimes at the same time. The running game lacks a true threat and ranks among the NFL's worst. Outside of tight end Delanie Walker, Mariota has little to work with. And yet he still has a pair of four-touchdown games on his resume, a clear indication of his raw talent.

Mariota will likely have more ups and downs over the final five games, but he's too talented to be left on the waiver wire. This could also be a perfect time to buy low on him, as four of the Titans' five remaining opponents rank 13th or worse in passing yards allowed per game, including Jacksonville (25th) this week and Indianapolis (27th) in Week 17. He's worth adding as a low-end QB2 in two-quarterback leagues and as a backup in standard leagues, but as always, temper expectations.