Jameis Winston vs Marcus Mariota

Bottom Line

There’s no denying that Mariota is the better college quarterback right now as he’s having a better year while still in college. But the pro game is very much a different and something that Winston is just better suited to play than Mariota is. You look at the phenomenal talent Mariota has and think, “Wow, with the athletic ability he has, he can change the game in the NFL.”

Sorry, but Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton, who’s a better passer, bigger and stronger has been injured and he’s done it more from the pocket lately. New York Jets quarterback Michael Vick was faster than Mariota and those big, 250-pound linebackers still caught up to him and left him with injuries throughout his career. The same can be said for Washington Redskins quarterback Rober Griffin III, who looks like he lost his speed to injury.

Then of course, there’s San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick, who hasn’t been injured but just hasn’t figured it out yet while the NFL figured him out. Someone will take him to develop him but Winston is what the NFL wants from a quarterback taken by a quarterback needy team now. And all that was on display during the Rose Bowl as the scouts were watching so while Mariota won the battle Winston may have won the war.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Lovie Smith is probably thinking he can win the NFC South with what he has to put around Winston in right now.