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It was two years ago when I was at this website comparing and discussing about Jameis Winston and Marcus Mariota. Who should have been picked first overall by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers? Which one of them has the brighter future in the National Football League? Have the Bucs made the right decision?
Since the 2015 NFL Draft, when the Buccaneers selected Winston in the first pick overall – and so the Titans selected Mariota right after, these two young talents have made their cases to be considered the future of the league at the quarterback position. It can be too early to define them as that, but it is true that Jameis Winston and Marcus Mariota highlighted their presences on the field. It is not coincidence at all that Tampa Bay and Tennessee are trying very hard to build a great offense around them, in each of the teams. The new leaders are there, and that is how things work in football.
But I am not here right now to talk about what the future holds for Mariota and Winston, even if that would be an interesting topic. The main point here is: after two years in pro football, who do you prefer Jameis Winston or Marcus Mariota? – It is probably harder to find an answer for this question than you thought; just take a look at the topics below.
Their resume in college football are too similar, both of them – indeed – been a great leader for their teams, a Heisman Trophy winner and a finalist at BCS Championship Game (Winston has a little edge here because of the trophy). In NFL, also there is not such a difference between them if we look at all the details.
They both have come from their best pro season. Mariota passed for 3,426 yards, 26 touchdowns and only nine interceptions, completing more than 61 percent of his passes in Tennessee. On the other hand, Winston surpassed the 4,000 yards mark (4,090) and tossed for 28 touchdowns and 18 interceptions. Moreover, in 2016 the two of them had their franchises with a 9-7 record and a step away from the postseason. It merit to be mentioned that two seasons ago, Tennessee was coming from a 3-13 season and Tampa Bay from a 6-10, that put both teams in last place of their divisions and shows a great evolution from one year to another, which means the quarterbacks have done exactly what they were supposed to.
In points per game, Titans finished last season in 14th overall with 23.8 and Bucs in 18th, 22.1.
If we look to impact they caused for their offense, we keep on track with their similarities. They are inserted in a system that gives them the right opportunity to do their best on the field. One can say that Winston, comparing, is a more prepared quarterback and his numbers in general show us that. However, the talent we have seen in Mariota, combined with his ability to make the right decisions at the right time, is amazing.
One of them is more like a pocket passer who has a very good mobility. The other one can be described as a dual-threat quarterback that has a great touch in his throws. Even though they are different in so many technical aspects, in their essence, at the end of the day, they are quite the same. In other words, they have different styles, but the same high football IQ, so as their understanding of the game and ability to perform big plays.
In terms of future, it really looks like that the playoffs are coming for both of them, and Tampa Bay and Tennessee full confidence in their leaders.
And please don’t tell me things like: “Mariota does not have the same good weapons as Winston in the receiver group”. Even if it is a true statement, at the same time, Jameis Winston does not have a DeMarco Murray and a Derrick Henry to play aside as Marcos Mariota does, and neither an offensive line like the Titans’. Once again it is important to state that their different styles at the quarterback position create different environments around them, each one adapted to a type of offense.
So, let’s keep in mind our first question, whether you prefer Marcus Mariota or Jameis Winston? Does that depend on the kind of quarterback you like? Are you sure you can find an answer for this question? In the end, even with a lot of great things we have seen from Winston and Mariota in two seasons in NFL already, it might be too early to assert who is better – or maybe no?
My pick: As I stated before, it is a really (really) tough question, and your answer should be defined in the style of quarterback you like. But what if you enjoy the two styles, as I do? It is even harder. But I have to pick one, and it is Jameis Winston. We have seen pocket passers who succeeded better in NFL than other styles – and Winston is aware about that. I do not like the idea of not picking Mariota here, but for me Winston is a more certain thing in terms of mentality, arm potential and specially durability.
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