I’ll tell you what…

Buccaneers must pick up Jameis Winston in draft

More stories from Robby Killette

Last season after recording a 2-14 record the Tampa Bay Buccaneers were the worst team in the NFL. Being the worst team, they will be selecting the first overall pick in the upcoming NFL Draft, April 30.

There have been debates on who the Bucs should take with that pick, the top two candidates being FSU quarterback Jameis Winston and Oregon quarterback Marcus Mariota.

I think “Famous Jameis” should be the right pick for the Tampa’s struggling football team. Despite being notorious for having off the field issues, and having a craving for crab legs, Winston is by far the best quarterback prospect not only in the 2015 draft, from the last three drafts.

His ability to make all NFL-esque throws, his starting caliber size and pocket presence, brilliant football IQ, to which some NFL scouts compared him to the likes of Peyton Manning, most importantly his history of winning, make him the top quarterback prospect.

He recorded only one loss in 27 total starts in his college career. He has won the National Championship, and the Heisman along with an excess of other prolific awards like being named a consensus All-American and receiving the Walter Camp award in 2013.

Besides bringing hope to the Buccaneers, Winston would fit the pro style offense perfectly. When he led FSU to the National Championship his number one passing target was current Panthers receiver 6’5 240 lb Kelvin Benjamin. The Bucs have two receivers who are similar in size and skill to Benjamin, in Vincent Jackson and Mike Evans, so it would be a familiar fit for Jameis. Winston recently visited One Buc Place for a meeting with Bucs GM Jason Light. During the meeting Winston was introduced Vincent Jackson and said that he hopes to be his quarterback one day.

Then, there’s Marcus Mariota. Mariota has a great personal record off the field. He has won the Heisman, gone to the National Championship game and even beat the Winston-Led FSU Seminoles in the Rose Bowl last season.

So what’s wrong with him? Well, his passes are inaccurate, has tendencies of a college system quarterback that won’t fit in the NFL, his pocket presence is sub par, his football IQ needs work, he hasn’t called a play since High school and the list just keeps going.

There are upsides to Mariota’s game like his ability to run the ball with blazing speed combined with his 6’4 figure. Mariota is full of potential but, potential takes time to develop and the Bucs don’t have any time to waste.

I’ll tell you what, the Bucs need to draft Jameis Winston. He fits Lovie Smith’s offensive scheme, he’s NFL ready, he was never convicted of small certain crimes.

Plus, as prepared as he may seem Mariota isn’t ready to start in the NFL and his style of play won’t translate over. But who knows, the Bucs will probably just end up taking another darn defensive end.