Jameis Winston: 2015 NFL Draft Scouting Report
Feb 21, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Florida State Seminoles quarterback Jameis Winston and Oregon Ducks quarterback Marcus Mariota watch drills during the 2015 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Leadership
Winston is a special leader, almost on the Andrew Luck/Tim Tebow level. In the game against Clemson when Winston was suspended, you could see Winston alongside Jimbo Fisher and the rest of the starting offense all game long. Winston would coach up QB Sean Maguire between possessions to make sure he knew exactly what he was doing on that next drive. This guy wants to win every time he steps on the field.
Total Package Throwing the Ball
Winston can do it all as a gunslinger — he has the total package. He has NFL level arm strength, able to fire the ball down field or into a tight window. Numerous times at FSU, Winston made throws most quarterbacks have no business making all due to his incredible arm strength
Winston throws the deep ball with ease and can rip it downfield without even taking a step.
Winston’s ball placement is beyond impressive. He has beautiful touch on his short, intermediate and deep passes.
He has a natural touch on his throws that all his receivers will love. Winston boasted a completion percentage of 66.9 and 65.3 during his two years at FSU.
His 18 interceptions his sophomore year were due to bad decision-making more then poor accuracy. He has above-average accuracy that will translate very well to the NFL.
The big athlete has an uncanny ability of throwing the ball perfectly over a covering defender’s arms. His touch will be a key attribute to his success at the next level.
Pro-Style Quarterback
Unlike Mariota, Bryce Petty and others, Winston knows how to call a play from the huddle. The ability to command a huddle, call a play and then change the play at the line is a major skill that college quarterbacks have lost over the years. Winston showed he can handle the terminology and style of a pro-style system.
Taking snaps under center is something Mariota has not done. This seems like a simple task for college QBs, but in reality it’s a challenge for guys that have their roots in a spread system.
During training camp, coaches won’t have to take an unnecessary amount of time teaching Winston his drop-backs from under center, something that is a minor concern with Mariota.
Winston can step in immediately and handle a large load.
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