The NFL draft for 2015 is getting close and mock drafts are already coming out with players like Jameis Winston, Amari Cooper, Cardale Jones and Marcus Mariota and now the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are on the clock, while teams like the Cleveland Browns, NY Jets and Tennessee Titans could consider making moves in the top 10 of the first round.
The Buccaneers come in with the top overall pick in the draft and most around the NFL think that the Bucs will take either Mariota or Winston with the number one selection. The team has Mike Glennon and Josh McCown, but both of those players did not impress Lovie Smith last season. The Bucs need help everywhere and to put fans in the seats they could take someone like Winston, who played his college ball in the state. UPDATE: Cardale Jones decides to stay in school at Ohio State.
The Buccaneers will get some calls about the number one pick, but they are likely to stick with it. The Titans also need a quarterback and they could take whoever is left over from Winston or Mariota. There is a chance that if Mariota is taken number one, the Titans trade the pick, as Winston has some major red flags. But if that happens, teams like the Browns, Jets and others surely will call about the number two selection.
Mariota is considered to be a strong prospect, but most scouts see Winston with the higher upside. Winston has an NFL build and has played in a more pro-style offense and he also is considered better at reading defense and anticipating his throws. Mariota and Winston were the last two Heisman winners, while Cooper was a Heisman finalist this season. Many see the Raiders as an option for Cooper, as they need help on offense and he is a playmaker. Last season the team picked Khalil Mack with their first round selection.
Jones will be taking a calculated risk if he enters the draft, as he has played in just three games and that would put him into some interesting company. According to ESPN.com, only one quarterback over the last decade has started fewer games than Jones would have if he enters, with Matt Cassel starting zero games. According to ESPN.com, Jones will decide his future around 4 pm ET and his major announcement could be about him going back to school or entering the NFL draft.
The Jaguars and the Raiders likely are out of the QB mix, as both teams are seemingly happy with the players they took last season. Jones took over after JT Barrett went down for Ohio State and he helped lead the team to the championship after playing in just a couple games. Braxton Miller went down to start the season and Jones was the third string QB.
Sources have said that Jones is stressing the decision and some scouts see him as a third round pick, which could give him close to $1 million in guaranteed salary, according to ESPN.com. Jones threw for over 240 yards in the championship game and had a touchdown through the air and rushed for one against Oregon in the win in the title game. Jones has only started three games and that could be enough for him to head into the NFL.