Is Jameis Winston worthy of the #1 overall pick?
January 1, 2015; Pasadena, CA, USA; Florida State Seminoles quarterback Jameis Winston (5) against the Oregon Ducks in the 2015 Rose Bowl college football game at Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
Jameis Winston has been hailed as the projected #1 pick in this years draft to the quarterback needy Tampa Bay Buccaneers. And with the Buccaneers coming to a decision of who they’re going to select earlier this week, it’s fair to say that the Bucs will select either Winston or Marcus Mariota.
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The real question, is Winston actually worthy of the #1 pick?
Winston had many off field issues including stealing crab legs and being accused of rape by a former Florida State University student and had an ankle injury halfway through the season and more recent shoulder issue, while Mariota had no off field issues or injuries in his career at Oregon.
Statistically, Winston was worse than Mariota last year posting 3,907 passing yards, 145.5 QBR for 25 touchdowns and 18 interceptions, while Mariota threw for 4,454 yards for 42 touchdowns and four interceptions with a QBR of 181.7.
Mariota was also better on the ground in 2014, running for an insane 770 yards on 135 attempts with 15 touchdowns, while Winston only ran for 65 yards on 57 attempts for three touchdowns.
Yet the 2014 Heisman winner in Mariota, is still being overlooked by the 2013 Heisman winner Winston. The reason why: Mariota doesn’t know how to play in a pro-style offense.
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Winston played in more of a pro-style offense at FSU, which will most likely make an easier transition to an NFL style offense. On the other hand, Mariota played in an extremely high-tempo offense that isn’t like any NFL offense except Chip Kelly’s in Philadelphia.
Thus, it gives Winston an edge over Mariota when they make the transition to the NFL.
Don’t believe the offense you play in college is a difference? The past three starting standout quarterbacks for Oregon were Dennis Dixon, Jeremiah Masoli and Darron Thomas.
All three of these were pretty good quarterbacks (especially Thomas) who could run the Oregon offense effectively and were impressive quarterbacks in college.
They all also had little to absolutely no success in the NFL. And Thomas, the best one out of the three, went undrafted in the 2012 and wasn’t signed as an undrafted free agent. Thomas then went on to the CFL, Champions Professional Indoor Football League (CPIFL) and now the AFL.
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All three of his stops he’s stunk it up. He never made an appearance for the Lincoln Haymakers in the CPIFL and lost his starting job for the Portland Thunder in the AFL.
Yes, Mariota is a different animal than Thomas. Yes, Mariota will be a better quarterback than Thomas will ever be. But what does Thomas, Masoli and Dixon’s professional career tell you?
If you can’t rid yourself of the Oregon offense as soon as you transition to the NFL, you won’t live long. Mariota has the skill to reverse that, but unless the Eagles somehow get the #1 pick, it would be a surprise if the Buccaneers take Mariota.
Leaving Winston to be the #1 overall selection in the 2015 NFL Draft.
He did lead FSU to a BCS National Championship victory in 2013, and did win the Heisman in 2013 throwing for 4,057 yards for 40 touchdowns and 10 interceptions with a 184.8 QBR, showing he can excel when everything is working correctly.
As mentioned earlier, Winston also knows how to run a pro-style offense and sit in the pocket, while avoiding pressure. He also has enough speed to leave the pocket and make a throw if the pressure gets to him. This combination makes him more likely to transition to a typical NFL offense better than Mariota and any other quarterback in this draft
Making him worthy of the #1 overall pick to the Buccaneers in this years draft.
Don’t think Jameis Winston is worthy of the #1 overall pick? Think Mariota is the better NFL quarterback? Share your opinion in the comment section below or yell at me on Twitter @JLeBlanc_21
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