The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have a glaring need at the quarterback position, and Jameis Winston looks like the one to fill it.
NFL Media analyst Mike Mayock, at least entering the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis this week, sees the former Heisman Trophy winner and Florida State star as the right fit as the No. 1 overall pick of the 2015 NFL Draft for the Bucs.
"My gut tells me they're going to go with a quarterback, and at this point I would guess it's Jameis Winston, just because he fits what they do more," Mayock said on a media teleconference Monday.
Mayock said he doesn't envy the position that the Buccaneers are in -- evaluating contrasting sets of concerns about Winston and the draft's other top quarterback prospect, Oregon's Marcus Mariota. Character questions about Winston's off-field behavior will give pause to whichever club might evaluate him for a first-round investment. Mayock also said Winston's high interception rate in 2014 makes for an on-field concern, as well. Mariota, meanwhile, hasn't played in a pro-style system and thus faces a more steep learning curve than does Winston at the pro level. And that could ultimately be what compels Tampa Bay to take the quarterback who can help them more in the short term.
"They've got a ton of homework ahead of them, and I think both quarterbacks have question marks," Mayock said.
The Tennessee Titans, New York Jets and St. Louis Rams are the other teams drafting in the top 10 who have a significant need at quarterback.
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