Jameis Winston wants the Buccaneers to find a way to land Jalen Ramsey in the 2016 NFL Draft, and he's willing to give up some of his salary to make it happen.
"We (FSU) definitely have the best player in the world in Jalen Ramsey," Winston recently said, according to Pewter Report. "People talk about his position. But Jalen is the best cornerback, safety ... I will take a pay cut to play with him again. He has a fierce mentality. And the best thing about him is he is a Seminole! I have already shot (Bucs GM Jason Licht) some texts."
However, Winston can't take a pay cut until 2018 because rookie contracts can't be renegotiated for three years. Chalk up the pay-cut remark to youthful enthusiasm. The chance that Ramsey will fall to the Buccaneers' pick (No. 9 overall) falls somewhere between slim and none. As such, Licht likely couldn't accommodate Winston's wish without trading up into a top-five pick.
Winston clearly believes Ramsey would be worth it.
"He can do anything he wants to do really," Winston said. "He's so talented in (so) many ways. He can be a lockdown corner for you like a Richard Sherman, or he could be a safety-corner hybrid like Charles Woodson. This guy is very talented and has a lot of ability."
The two played two seasons together as starters at FSU (2013 and 2014). In Winston's first year as FSU's starting quarterback, Ramsey became the first Seminoles true freshman since Deion Sanders to start a season opener at cornerback. A year later, Winston's last at FSU, Ramsey's production exploded with 12 pass breakups, 9.5 tackles for loss and three sacks.
Winston, however, isn't the only NFL player calling for Ramsey as his team's top draft pick. Cowboys receiver Dez Bryant has endorsed Ramsey as the Cowboys' pick at No. 4 overall, as well.
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