NFL Draft: Winston or Mariota?

The weather is getting warmer, baseball is in full swing and many of us in school can already taste the freedom of summer (unless your like me and taking summer classes :/).  All this only means one thing, its NFL Draft time!  With the draft just a couple of days away we here at Four Corner Sports are already getting our popcorn ready for Thursday and can not wait to see how every pick plays out.  This years biggest questions are not necessarily who will be drafted first overall but more important questions such as will Jameis Winston be able to transition from young stupid college student to a responsible and sensible adult apart of the National Football League?  Or, will Marcus Mariota be able to evolve his skills from the spread offense used at Oregon to the traditional pocket passing style of offense run by almost every team in the NFL?  

Marcus Mariota

It is almost a given that Winston will be playing in Tampa Bay next year.  It is hard not to wonder whether playing in Florida will help or hurt Winston in the long run.  Will he be too close to the negative influences that have troubled him at Florida State throughout his college career? Only time will tell, however the thought of Jameis staying in Florida after his struggles in Tallahassee makes me nervous.  On the other hand, Mariota can be drafted anywhere between picks 2-6.  Whether he lands with the Titans at 2 (the most likely scenario) or falls all the way to the Jets at the 6 spot my concerns with him remain the same.  Mariota has everyone from scouts, ESPN personalities and GM’s overthinking Marcus and his skill set.  His inability to stay in the pocket and deliver balls on an accurate strike will be his biggest hurdle of adjustment to the NFL.  History tells us that quarterbacks who have previously tried to run around end up getting hurt (RGIII, Michael Vick).  Russell Wilson is the closest comparison to Mariota that I can find, however Wilson has the ability to fit the ball into tight spaces as well as sitting in the pocket when it is necessary.  Winston and Mariota have some similarities in their game, but Winston’s skill set is that of a more traditional QB in the NFL.  While he has shown he can scramble and run when the occasion calls for it, his overall strengths are in his fundamental pocket style.

Jameis Winston

 I predict the Tampa Bay Buccaneers select Jameis Winston with the first overall pick and Tennessee taking Mariota second.  It will be very interesting to see where both players are a year from now. Let us know how you think the draft is going to shape up and any other draft related comment/questions on our Facebook or email.  

-Derick Riggs