3-Wide: Can the Bucs trust Jameis Winston as the face of their franchise?

3-Wide is a weekly feature in which theScore's NFL editors debate the hot topics around the league. Grab a cold towel and brace for hot takes. 

Can the Buccaneers trust Jameis Winston as the face of their franchise?

Caitlyn Holroyd: Trust is earned, not given, but based on Winston's comments at the combine, he understands the importance that comes along with being the face of a franchise and knows that it's time to grow up. The key now is for the Bucs to do as much research as possible into Winston's character between now and the draft, and determine whether he can adhere to the NFL's strict personal conduct policy. 

Arun Srinivasan: Absolutely, they can. Winston was never charged with sexual assault and the biggest off-field infraction he's committed was shoplifting, a petty act that he's outgrown. Scouts have compared Winston's football intelligence to Peyton Manning's and the former Heisman Trophy winner is more articulate than people give him credit for. Although it may be a lazy parallel, teams had similar concerns about Cam Newton who went first overall and has been incident-free in the NFL, leading the Panthers to back-to-back playoff appearances. This should be a no-brainer for the Buccaneers. 

David P. Woods: Probably not, based on Winston's very checkered history, but they'll have to talk themselves into it nonetheless. Winston's on-field upside is too great to ignore. He's a home-run swing the Buccaneers must take, strikeouts be damned. It was encouraging to hear Winston say all the right things at the combine. He seems to genuinely recognize he will always be under the microscope as a pro and must mature not only as a player but also as a person. Of course, Johnny Manziel said all the right things at the combine a year ago ....

Which recently released veteran is most likely to make a significant impact with a new team?

Srinivasan: Reggie Bush can still be a valuable asset to a team that uses him in motion sets as a wide receiver. At 29, Bush is past his prime and will never excel as a between-the-tackles running back. However, Bush has always been great in space and is still adept at making defenders miss with his trademark elusiveness. If a team can find a way to use Bush as the Eagles used Darren Sproles, the veteran could be an asset on a playoff contender entering his 10th season. 

Holroyd: Ravens general manager Ozzie Newsome said it himself this week: Baltimore wouldn't have won Super Bowl XLVII without Jacoby Jones. Though his production has dropped the past two seasons, Jones is still among the NFL's best returners and can handle both kick- and punt-return duties. For teams in need of some help on special teams, the 30-year-old could be a big asset.

Woods: They're all pretty bad. Maybe Steven Jackson could be useful on a one-year deal as purely a short-yardage hammer. A.J. Hawk could perhaps carve out a role as a two-down thumper. I'm not optimistic about either, though. 

Is the franchise tag unfair to players?

Srinivasan: No, the franchise tag is completely fair to players since it's collectively bargained upon. Because the tag is only applied for a year, players can add or decrease their real value in that one season and won't lose vast portions of their prime to an unreasonable contract. The numbers for tagged players are usually astronomical compared to a league-average salary and it's a requisite part of the NFL's free agency process.

Holroyd: No. The franchise tag may not offer long-term job security, but players often end up making more while tagged than they would while playing on a league-average salary. The increase of the salary cap has also led to a decline in the number of franchise tags used, as just four players were tagged in 2014 after eight the year prior. Tagging four out of 1,696 players is hardly unfair.

Woods: Yes. It goes beyond the money, which in most cases is fair. It's about freedom and the right to pursue happiness. It's absurd that a player can be denied the opportunity to hit free agency and choose where he wants to play even after fulfilling all obligations in his contract. Frankly, it's a little un-American.