Buccaneers select QB Jameis Winston 1st overall in NFL draft
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The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have selected quarterback Jameis Winston with the first pick in the 2015 NFL Draft.
Winston was reportedly the player the Bucs coveted throughout the entire offseason and his performance at the combine, along with the intense research Tampa no doubt conducted, only cemented the decision.
The 2013 Heisman Trophy winner left Florida State with a sparkling resume after his two years as the starter. Winston threw for nearly 8,000 yards with 65 touchdowns, while leading the Seminoles to a national title and losing just one game in two years.
Typically, when a quarterback is selected first overall, they're joining a team that has a lot of work to do. However, Winston's chances at immediate success with the Bucs aren't that far fetched.
Receiver Mike Evans burst onto the scene in 2014 as a rookie with 12 touchdowns, while Vincent Jackson and Austin Seferian-Jenkins are also capable of making quarterbacks look good, which should give Winston plenty of ammunition to make a huge impact in his inaugural NFL season.
With the departure of Josh McCown, no one figures to challenge Winston for the starting quarterback job throughout training camp. Expect him to be behind center in Week 1, trying to guide the Buccaneers back to the top of a very winnable NFC South.
Jameis Winston Bio
Position: QB
School: Florida State
College Experience: Redshirt Sophomore
Height: 6-4
Weight: 231 lbs.
Age: 21
Combine Results
| Event | Result |
|---|---|
| 40-yd Dash | 4.97 sec |
| Bench Press | N/A |
| Vertical Jump | 28.5 inches |
| Broad Jump | 103 inches |
| 3-Cone Drill | 7.16 sec |
| 20-yd Shuttle | 4.36 sec |
Strengths
- Makes advanced reads and anticipates throwing windows at a high level.
- Played under center and is more pro-ready than any other quarterback in the draft.
- Big arm, good footwork, powerful lower body allows him to take chances and make big throws.
- Highly competitive, proven winner. His confidence is infectious and makes him a natural leader at the quarterback position.
Weaknesses
- Struggled to make good decisions within the offense, leading to 18 interceptions against fairly pedestrian competition in 2014.
- Inconsistent in demonstrating his football intelligence.
- Some analysts are concerned with Winston's throwing motion, noting a "loop" that may or may not be correctable with coaching.
- Off-field issues that range from typical immaturity to serious, felony-related accusations.