The Tampa Bay Buccaneers selected quarterback Jameis Winston first overall in the 2015 draft, but the rookie knows he hasn’t proved anything in the NFL.
According to ESPN’s Andrew Astleford, Winston said he knows opposing defenses are more focused on Bucs players who have established themselves as threats.
“I’m really nobody in this league yet, so they don’t have to worry about me. I have great teammates that do a great job, and we have a great team.”
Since Winston isn’t yet a game-changing quarterback, it’s more important to stop Doug Martin, Mike Evans and Vincent Jackson. Most opponents have accomplished exactly that.
Martin gashed the Jaguars for 158 yards and three touchdowns but has otherwise managed a purely decent 85.3 yards per game and a single score. While Evans missed two games because of a hamstring injury, the second-year receiver and Winston have only connected 13 times in 33 targets.
Jackson torched the Carolina Panthers for 10 receptions, 147 yards and one touchdown. However, those lofty numbers are nearly half of his production across the board, since he’s at 20/306/2 for the year.
As Winston continues to develop and become more comfortable in the league, his efficiency will improve and Tampa Bay will progress toward being a winning team. For now, though, the rookie will keep working at becoming somebody who opponents are forced to respect.