The NFL draft is at the end of April and while Jameis Winston is expected to be the number one overall pick for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, reports say the Florida State quarterback will likely not be attending the event when it is held in Chicago, leaving a void for Roger Goodell with the first overall selection.
According to ESPN.com, Winston is looking to spend the "day with family and friends" and will be in Alabama rather than in Chicago. In recent years the number one overall pick has been in attendance at the draft in New York City and has his jersey handed to him by NFL commissioner Roger Goodell. The draft is being held in Chicago this year after being in New York last year and sources have reported to ESPN.com that Winston's decision is not "set in stone" yet.
Most draft experts have Winston as the number one pick to the Buccaneers and consider him the best prospect in the draft. Marcus Mariota is the number two quarterback and he could be selected after Winston by the Titans. Winston won a national title and a Heisman trophy with the Florida State Seminoles and he previously met with Goodell in New York last week.
There are a number of reasons why Winston may not want to attend the draft, including that he is a high profile player on and off the field and could be booed by the crowd. Winston is not likely worried about that, as he has had that attention all season. Winston may simply want to spend the day with his family, as the draft marks what will be one of the most important days of his life.
