As another wave of NFL mock drafts hit the Internet, one of the biggest revelations is that the class' two top quarterbacks are no longer believed to go first and second overall.
Early on, Oregon QB and the reigning Heisman Trophy winner, Marcus Mariota, was believed to be the favorite to go first overall to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. With the second overall pick, the Tennessee Titans were believed to eyeing Florida State QB Jameis Winston, who won the Heisman last year.
ESPN draft expert Mel Kiper released his second mock draft Wednesday and his top pick was unchanged: Winston. However, Mariota fell from second overall to sixth overall with the New York Jets, as Todd McShay did with his second mock draft.
CBS Sports' Pat Kirwan also put Winston first overall in a mock draft released Wednesday, but he kept Mariota second overall. The Buccaneers, Titans and Jets are most likely seeking to take a QB more than anyone else in the top 10, but it seems to depend on what kind.
Winston is a prototypical pocket passer, whereas Mariota has lethal speed and excels in throwing on the run or off-balance. Winston is facing concerns about his maturity and his ability to stay out of trouble, whereas Mariota is seen as a model citizen.
With three draft experts now placing Winston above Mariota, it seems as though Tampa Bay wants a more traditional QB and have seen enough to like in Winston's personality.
Both SB Nation's Dan Kadar and Sports Illustrated's Chris Burke still have Mariota going first overall, though the former placed Winston second and the latter placed him sixth.
SI is seemingly the only one that believes Winston's reputation is enough for him to drop past the top two picks. Even still, the Jets may be looking for a new franchise QB after a disastrous rookie season from Geno Smith.
