NFL Notes: Jameis Winston, Draft, Jets, Lions, & Texans

Jameis Winston

Dane Brugler of CBS Sports couldn’t find one person he trusts at the Combine who doesn’t think FSU QB Jameis Winston will be the No. 1 overall pick.

Tom Pelissero of USA Today also spoke to a number of coaches and scouts, but came away with a different impression, which is: “[T]his is a particularly bad year to have a void at the most important position.“

Even though Winston put together a really strong combine in terms of his workout and interviews with teams, there are still concerns about his off-the-field behavior moving forward.

“But there’s enough there to make you dig like hell,” an NFC head coach tells Pelissero. “Especially with where things are at now with the league.”

Many in the media were really impressed with Winston’s workout, but a personnel man thinks Marcus Mariota translates better in the NFL.

“Winston was a little more accurate while Marcus has better delivery, footwork, and quickness,” said the personnel man after watching Winston’s workout. “Still think Marcus translates better (to the NFL). Winston does everything slow. … Feet are slow. Movement is slow. Release is slow.”

Draft

• Gil Brandt reports that the 49ers and Patriots both sent just their head coach and two assistants to combine.
• For what it’s worth, Brandt mentions that New England has their OL coach and special teams coordinator on hand while the 49ers brought their offensive and defensive coordinators.
• Brandt spoke to two teams who both said Shaq Thompson’s position in NFL has to be strong safety. They said he had excellent workouts is a really smart kid.
• Jets QBs coach Kevin Patullo met with South Alabama QB Brandon Bridge. (Rich Cimini)

Jets

Rich Cimini writes that the “preliminary sense” he’s getting is that the Jets aren’t looking to take a quarterback with their first-round pick.

Cimini mentions that new GM Mike Maccagnan and HC Todd Bowles aren’t in a “quarterback-or-bust mode.”

• According to Cimini, contract talks with DE Muhammad Wilkerson were a “one-man show” with John Idzik being the prime negotiator. However, Maccagnan is expected to take a committee approach this offseason.
• Cimini expects the Jets to have their choice of receivers — Amari Cooper, Kevin White or DeVante Parker in this year’s draft.
• Cimini confirms Chris Johnson story that the Jets mislead him about the role he would have their offense. Idzik and HC Rex Ryan reportedly promised him more playing time when they signed him, but once the season began, the coaching staff saw Chris Ivory as a more effective player.

Lions

• ESPN’s Michael Rothstein mentions that the Lions are unlikely to draft a receiver in either the first or second rounds, but there could be enough depth that they could consider the position in the middle rounds.
• Rothstein mentions that if the Lions are looking for a cornerback in the draft, Quinten Rollins from Miami (Ohio) is someone to keep an eye on.

Texans

• Texans WR DeAndre Hopkins underwent wrist surgery following the 2014 season. (CBS Houston)