Winston named top draft pick despite character questions

Quarterback Jameis Winston, who posted a 26-1 record in winning a Heisman Trophy and a national championship in two years at Florida State, proved he was just the character wanted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The 2-14 Bucs made Winston the first overall pick of the NFL Draft on Thursday, declining trade offers and overlooking some character issues caused by off-field incidents at college. The strong-armed, 6-foot-4, 230-pound Winston has all the tools for NFL success and was considered the best prepared to step into the professional game after leading the Seminoles to so much success in a pro-style offense. Some wondered about Winston's make-up given a sexual assault allegation made against him, a shoplifting citation, and a game suspension for getting up on a table on campus and screaming a sexually charged phrase made popular on the Internet, but Tampa Bay's background checks convinced them he could be counted on.

Continue reading...