2015 NFL Draft: How clutch is Jameis Winston?

Jameis Winston heads into the 2015 NFL Draft as the No. 1 projected overall pick. The controversial college quarterback out of Florida State has silenced his critics with an incredible showing at the 2015 NFL Combine. He showed his accuracy, arm strength and displayed how intelligent he is with his football IQ. He has the attributes to truly be great in the right situation based on what we all saw he did last season. His abilities to perform in the clutch however, is being compared to that of a certain NFL legend.

Florida State head coach Jimbo Fisher recently said that the clutch factor of Jameis Winston rivals that of Joe Montana. In an appearance on the NFL Network via their “NFL AM” program, Fisher had this to say about the comparison:

"“There are certain guys you just don’t want to play against,” Fisher said. “It’s not just ‘Can he do it?’ But there are certain guys you don’t want to play against. When you (“NFL AM” co-host Eric Davis) played with Joe (Montana), if Joe got the ball at the end of the game, what was gonna happen? Your team was gonna win. That’s what this guy does.” – Jimbo Fisher"

With seven wins decided by six points or less, Winston was a catalyst for the Seminoles that saw his final year in college post a 13-1 record with a semifinal playoff game loss. One area that Winston excels in is when the game is on the line and he’s got the ball in his hand towards the end of games. When it comes to delivering a win when his team needs it most, Winston delivers consistently.

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Of course these comparisons could come off as a bit immature, I will say though, growing up watching Montana in his prime with the San Francisco 49ers was magical to watch.

The way he would be calm, cool and collective when he would roar down the field with two minutes left to go in the 4th quarter and making the game-winning score made it seem effortless. It was just in his nature and I honestly see that in Winston.

Montana delivered consistently and to have Winston already be compared to a Hall of Fame legend shows the tremendous amount of potential he has to carve his own legacy in NFL history.

Winston makes those around him better and based on many mock drafts across the internet, it looks like the Tampa Bay Buccaneers would be the team that would take a huge chance on him. They are in desperate need of a franchise quarterback that can come right in and usher a new era for the organization. While many have concerns with his off the field distractions, truth of the matter is, if he’s under the right leadership and coaching, he could be on the path to greatness.

There are plenty of stories out there of troubled kids coming into the NFL and finding the right coaches to steer them in the right direction. Winston showed confidence in his skills at the combine and that he has the desire to leave it all on the field. It’s interesting that he showed some cockiness in that he plans to be a great quarterback and play in the Super Bowl next year, but he still has a ton to prove before he’s even in those kind of conversations.

If he does end up on the Buccaneers or any team for that matter, it’s imperative that he gets some serious coaching not just for football but for his personal life. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity that would be a shame if he wasted because he ended up being a major distraction by doing dumb things off the field. If he was partnered up with a life coach in addition to constant support by his new NFL team, it would ensure the only headlines he would be making are ones made by winning plenty of football games.

Truth of the matter is, Winston is just 21 years old and in just a matter of months, will have his life changed forever. He’s a big risk taker since his philosophy is to take chances and let the chips fall where they may. It’s a solid trait to have but he needs to come into the NFL with a mature head, clean slate and realize that if he wants to be in the same breath of the Montana’s, Elway’s and Manning’s, he must take his career seriously and stay away from making mistakes that could hinder his progression.

Feb 21, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Florida State Seminoles quarterback Jameis Winston throws a pass during the 2015 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

Overall, I honestly believe he could be truly great if he comes into the NFL with a mature mentality and just stick to perfecting his craft. It’s not crazy to believe that many analysts say he could end up being a better overall quarterback than Marcus Mariota since he already was running a pro-style offense and was successful for the most part.

Winston is an instant starter and has all the tangibles to have a very successful NFL career as long as a team is willing to understand once they draft him, they must commit to him fully and put him in a position to grow.

Not just as an athlete, but as a professional on and off the field. Just like Montana was back when it was his moment to shine.

Next: 2015 NFL Mock Draft: Jameis Winston No. 1 to Buccaneers

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