Fansided

NFL: 15 Rookies who are future Pro Bowlers

By Andrew Garda

May 1, 2015; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston (3) is introduced at a press conference at One Buc Place the day after being selected as the number one overall pick in the 2015 NFL Draft. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
May 1, 2015; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston (3) is introduced at a press conference at One Buc Place the day after being selected as the number one overall pick in the 2015 NFL Draft. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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May 1, 2015; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston (3), the number one overall draft pick, poses with general manager Jason Licht and head coach Lovie Smith for a photo during a press conference at One Buc Place. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
May 1, 2015; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston (3), the number one overall draft pick, poses with general manager Jason Licht and head coach Lovie Smith for a photo during a press conference at One Buc Place. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

Jameis Winston, QB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback, Jameis Winston already has a foundation which will make him successful. Winston has two great receivers in Vincent Jackson and Mike Evans, as well as a solid tight end in Austin Seferian-Jenkins. There’s hope that Doug Martin can recover from his struggles last season, and he has a lot of incentive to do so as the team declined to pick up the option year of his contract (per Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times).

The team also made some improvements on the offensive line in order to keep Winston upright. Rookies Ali Marpet and Donovan Smith could be starting at guard (or possibly tackle) sometime this year while Demar Dotson was a life-saver at both tackle spots in 2014.

If their efforts to improve the offensive line pan out, that’s going to give Winston a chance to use those weapons we mentioned a minute ago and make this offense more effective.

That’s going to cut down on what could be a shorter learning curve for Winston. As the most pro-ready quarterback in a relatively weak draft class with plenty of experience in a pro-style offense, Winston has the basic tools to succeed in a shorter time frame than even Marcus Mariota.

It’s also true that the Tampa Bay Buccaneers might be a little distance away from truly competing, which means Winston could get a chance to attend the Pro Bowl as a contender opts out.

There are also the off-the-field issues which could trip him up and if he struggles with that aspect of his role as a Buccaneer, it will impact his chances at a Pro Bowl appearance.

 

Next: Brandon Scherff, OT, Washington Redskins

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