NFL Draft Rumors: Jameis Winston Favors Tampa Bay Buccaneers as Marcus Mariota Traded Over Sam Bradford, Kirk Cousins for Philadelphia Eagles, Cleveland Browns?

Apr 01, 2015 12:17 PM EDT
Jameis Winston
Former Florida State Seminoles quarterback Jameis Winston prepares for a play during a 2014 game."

Jameis Winston does not lack for confidence. The former Heisman trophy winner is entering the NFL Draft fully aware that he is considered the best overall player coming out of college. For all of the media attention that has surrounded Winston in recent years, everyone is merely focused on his football play with the draft just a month away. After an impressive Pro Day, Winston is making it clear he intends to be the first player off the board.

Winston held a full pro day with several NFL teams in attendance to see what the quarterback can do. He threw 102 passes altogether, missing just 10 of them while also displaying versatility with his range and running abilities. All eyes were on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers who hold the No. 1 draft pick and Winston told the media after the workout that he is worthy of being selected by the team.

"Because I'm the best player in the draft," Winston said, via ESPN.com. "I just want to compete. My job as a quarterback is to throw."

Winston is almost a lock to be taken by Tampa Bay. According to the Tampa Bay Times, the franchise is seeking out trade deals for Mike Glennon with Winston in mind as their starting quarterback in 2015. So now the question becomes what Marcus Mariota will land. ESPN's Todd McShay lists Mariota going to the Tennessee Titans, but recently the team's defensive coordinator expressed his desire for a pass rusher in the first round. With Zach Mettenberger entering his second year with the team, the necessity to get Mariota might not be there. In fact the Titans could be waiting to shop that pick to the highest bidder.

Will that be the Philadelphia Eagles? There is a great deal of speculation that Chip Kelly acquired Sam Bradford to shop him for Mariota. The St. Louis Rams organization spoke at the NFL Annual Meeting and said there was a lot of interest in the quarterback. The Eagles could use that in their favor to trade up and get Mariota. However, competition is high for the former Oregon star. The Cleveland Browns have two first-round picks they can shop for him. The San Diego Chargers are eyeing a jump up. The Washington Redskins are hoping he falls to No. 5. Winston might be comfortable heading into draft day, but Mariota could end up anywhere.

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