*Walt taking 2014 and 2018 |
Charlie Campbell, Senior Draft Analyst |
Buccaneers Currently Prefer Jameis Winston over Marcus Mariota
Updated Jan. 15, 2015By Charlie Campbell. Follow Charlie on Twitter @draftcampbell.
Tampa Bay landing the No. 1 overall pick in the 2015 NFL Draft has sparked a heavy debate with Buccaneer fans and the media covering the team about which quarterback is the top prospect between Florida State’s Jameis Winston and Oregon’s Marcus Mariota. Per our sources with the Buccaneers, the organization currently prefers Winston over Mariota.
Sources say it is early in the process, and things could change in the months to come. Coaches getting involved in draft evaluations can make a big difference in a team’s thinking. However, our sources don’t view that as likely. They say that as long as Winston interviews well and doesn’t get into trouble in the months leading up to the draft, they feel that he will be the top pick in the draft.
I would agree with Tampa Bay’s thinking that Winston is the far superior prospect on the field. Off the field, the advantage swings to Mariota, but in speaking with evaluators at other teams, they all feel that Winston is the right pick for the Buccaneers. Sources from the Bucs and multiple teams also agree with my contention that Winston is a better prospect than Matthew Stafford, Sam Bradford, and Cam Newton, who went first overall in the 2009-2011 drafts.
A lot can change in the spring months leading up to the draft, but entering the pre-combine training, Winston is the favorite to go first overall to Tampa Bay.
Check out my mock draft, where I have Tampa taking Winston No. 1 overall.
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