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Seventh-round draft picks Marc Mariani (left) and David Howard (right) agreed to multi-year contracts on Tuesday. |
Mariani, a native of Havre, Mont., was the 222nd overall selection in the draft. In four seasons at Montana, he became the most prolific wide receiver in school history, setting records for career receiving yards (3,018), receiving touchdowns (29) and career all-purpose yards (5,441). The 6-foot-1, 190-pound wideout also averaged 15.1 yards per career punt return and 27.6 yards per kickoff return. En route to being named an Associated Press All-American as a senior, he set a school record with 1,479 yards on 80 receptions. He scored 15 total touchdowns in his final season, scoring 13 times on receptions and twice on returns.
Howard (6-3, 293), the Titans' final draft choice and the 241st overall player selected in 2010, was a two-time All-Ivy League selection at Brown University. As a senior, he tallied 29 tackles, one sack, six tackles for loss, a team-high eight quarterback hurries and a blocked field goal. Originally a track and field recruit, the Columbia, Md., native walked on to the football team. As a sophomore, he had a breakout season with a career-high 4.5 sacks.
Four of the team's nine draft picks have now agreed to terms. Alterraun Verner and Myron Rolle were the first to reach deals on contracts.