The Jameis Winston Conundrum: Where Does He Land In 2015?
By Erik Lambert
The 2015 NFL draft will feature plenty of drama, but none more so than where Jameis Winston could land. Who are some teams that might take the leap?
#5 – Washington Redskins
The Robert Griffin III experiment appears over for the Washington Redskins who may now be back on the quarterback market after just three seasons. It’s a tough sell to think they’d want to take on all the baggage that Winston would bring but Redskins owner Daniel Snyder never fears the bold move. Head coach Jay Gruden should be able to coach him up as he’s a more natural passer than RGIII.
#4 – New York Jets
Another team that is tired of the distractions centered around their quarterback. Geno Smith appears on his way out and the quickest fix for the New York Jets would be to use their 6th overall pick to scoop up a replacement. With Marcus Mariota likely out of reach, Winston would be the next man on the board. He’s much more of a proven pro-style player than Smith was coming out of college and he’s also a winner.
#3 – Chicago Bears
The Jay Cutler era seems to have finally come to close for the Chicago Bears. His leadership and ability to progress never could match his supreme physical talent, leading to comparison with Jeff George, another million dollar arm wasted on an incapable brain. The franchise could be on the lookout for a new franchise player to build around. Winston has attitude and is a proven leader, two things Chicago fans respect.
#2 – Tennessee Titans
Zach Mettenberger was a nice low-risk experiment but it’s clear he may not have what it takes to play at NFL-level speed. That means Ken Whisenhunt has to consider investing at quarterback early because his Tennessee Titans have a strong roster in place if they can get that position figured out. The lesser media market of Nashville would actually suit Winston well given his past and give him a chance to develop properly.
#1 – St. Louis Rams
If there is one team and one coach who are made for Jameis Winston, it’s the St. Louis Rams. They are ready for a Super Bowl run in terms of talent. The only thing missing is somebody worth noting at quarterback. Head coach Jeff Fisher has developed talented Afrian-American quarterbacks in the past, turning Steve McNair and Vince Young into Pro Bowlers. He also has a history of dealing with unstable personalities (hello Albert Haynesworth). This team is tailor-made for him, provided he’s still there when they pick.