The Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-13) are projected to land the No. 1 overall pick in the 2015 NFL draft. According to Greg Auman of the Tampa Bay Times, the Bucs have clinched the strength to schedule a tiebreaker against the Tennessee Titans (2-13).
However, if Tampa Bay beats the New Orleans Saints this weekend and the Titans lose to the Indianapolis Colts, then Tennessee will receive the top overall selection in the draft.
"While strength of schedule numbers can change depending on who wins and loses this week, the Bucs have enough of a 'lead' that they'll still be lower than the Titans regardless," wrote Darin Gantt of Pro Football Talk.
As of now, ESPN's draft expert Todd McShay has Tampa Bay selecting Oregon quarterback Marcus Mariota with the first overall pick. Here's McShay's scouting report on the Heisman Trophy winner.
"Mariota is a dynamic athlete with excellent top-end speed. He is elite at throwing on the run. He has a quick and compact over-the-shoulder release, and he possesses excellent intangibles. The concern I have with him is that while he's good with his anticipation and accuracy when passing from inside the pocket (and he's gotten better at it this season), he isn't great -- and that's the most important quality for QBs transitioning to the NFL level. Is that enough of a risk for the Bucs, a team in serious need of a franchise quarterback, to pass on him? Maybe, or perhaps they would wind up giving Winston a higher grade. But I just can't see either of these guys sliding out of the top 10. This is as shallow of a draft at the QB position as I can remember -- at least in the past several years."
