Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Making the case for Marcus Mariota

By Luis Tirado Jr. | Apr 14, 2015

Could you imagine the frenzy that would occur if the Tampa Bay Buccaneers did something completely out of the box and went in a different direction at the 2015 NFL Draft?

Mostly every mock draft out on the internet today, including my own, has quarterback Jameis Winston going as the No. 1 overall pick in this year’s draft. Could a surprise comment by Winston’s very own agent give the Buccaneers second thoughts on making such a huge move for their franchise? This is why I honestly believe that the Buccaneers should actually go with quarterback Marcus Mariota instead.

In an recent article, ESPN Tampa Bay Buccaneers reporter Pat Yasinskas mentioned how Winston’s agent David Cornwell recently made comments about how he, just like any top draft prospect, won’t be ready for the off-the-field distractions that will come once they transition into the pros.

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I absolutely agree with what Yasinkas reported and what Cornwell said. Winston is just 21 years old and to handle everything that comes with being a professional athlete at such a young age is pretty hard to imagine.

I’m not saying he can’t do it but his off-the-field antics in the past make me believe he’ll need to be put on the right program to ensure he doesn’t bring any unwanted distractions.

The allure of having the No. 1 pick in a draft is very tempting. You have the potential to bring in a future franchise player that will more than likely be a cornerstone for the next decade or so. It’s a huge opportunity you truly can’t make a mistake on because you will pay dearly for years to come if that athlete turns out to be a bust.

That is why I honestly feel that the Buccaneers shouldn’t take the risk and go with someone that has much more potential like Mariota. He’ll need some work before he can be a future franchise quarterback but with great coaching and the right support, Mariota will bring a ton of success and absolutely no headaches by sticking with what happens on the football field.

Mar 31, 2015; Tallahassee, FL, USA; Jameis Winston looks for a receiver during FSU Football Pro Day at the Albert J. Dunlap Athletic Training Facility. Mandatory Credit: Phil Sears-USA TODAY Sports

Winston is hands down a very gifted athlete who has the potential to truly be an amazing quarterback. If I were a general manager, I’d rather go with a safe pick than taking a risky one that might present itself to be a huge mistake down the road. Mariota could give the Buccaneers exactly what they need as he has the football IQ to really mold himself into the next big thing in the NFL.

It would make sense to give Mariota a few years in a backup role to truly perfect his craft but the Buccaneers need someone that can step right in and deliver. With only Mike Glennon and Brett Smith in the mix at quarterback, there isn’t really much of an option currently on the team that can win plenty of football games. Mariota would be the catalyst in a transformation year for the Buccaneers to have the team return to glory.

Mariota in my opinion is a much better direction to head in as one can only imagine the damage he will do with the talent around him. Guys like Mike Evans and Vincent Jackson are just some of the pieces that Mariota will build quick relationships with to push the envelope next season.

All the Buccaneers need to do is go with Mariota and draft some additional offensive play-makers and there is no doubt in my mind that they’ll be a much better team in 2015 and beyond because of it. With Mariota as their first overall pick, it would create a solid foundation to build around him as they try to become contenders in the NFC South.

Next: Marcus Mariota: 5 reasons the Buccaneers should select QB

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