The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are expected to overlook any off-field concerns surrounding Jameis Winston and take the former FSU quarterback with the first overall pick of the 2015 NFL Draft, according to Mike Mayock of the NFL Network.
Winston comes with a long list of pros and cons, something Mayock acknowledged during a three-hour teleconference with media members Monday. So does Oregon quarterback Marcus Mariota.
With that in mind, Mayock believes Winston is worth the risk.
“Who is the highest rated football player on your board? My gut tells me they’re going to go with a quarterback and at this point I would guess it’s Jameis Winston just because he fits what they do more,” Mayock said.
Winston and Mariota both declared for the NFL Draft before exhausting their eligibility. Winston won the Heisman Trophy in 2013, while Mariota won it while at Oregon in 2014. That is where their similarities end.
“There’s a consensus top two at the quarterback position but there are contrasting issues with both of them,” Mayock said. “Obviously with Jameis Winston, my concern, No. 1, is on the field. I think he throws too many interceptions. However, I can see everything I want on the field on tape beyond that. He’s a pocket aware guy, he throws with anticipation and timing, which is unusual in today’s college football world. He’s tough, he gets smacked in the face and he delivers the football.
“I think the bigger concern is whether or not this guy can be the face of your franchise. Let’s face it, he was the face of Florida State’s franchise and that didn’t stop him from making a bunch of bad decisions off the field.”
Mariota’s weaknesses, according to Mayock, revolve around whether his skill set will translate to the pros. He ran a spread offense at Oregon and did not have to pick up the nuances of a complex pro-style passing game like Winston did.
“I don’t envy Tampa GM Jason Licht and head coach Lovie Smith and that group and their decision,” Mayock said.
The NFL Draft begins April 30. Both Winston and Mariota are expected to arrive in Indianapolis on Wednesday for the NFL Scouting Combine.
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