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Breaking it down for Bucs: quarterbacks

 
Getty Images
Getty Images
Published April 24, 2015

Who the Bucs have

Mike Glennon (6-6, 232): He has 29 touchdown passes and 15 interceptions in his two-year career but could be dealt for a draft pick if Bucs don't value a strong backup behind a rookie.

Seth Lobato (6-6, 223): Best scenario for the former Northern Colorado starter: Sticking in the fall as No. 3 on the practice squad as Mike Kafka did last year.

Top five draft prospects Jameis Winston, FSU (6-4, 231): Went 26-1 as starter, didn't lose until final college game. His 18 interceptions in 2014 throw up red flag for doubters. Marcus Mariota, Oregon (6-4, 222): Hard to top his 2014 Heisman-winner stats: 42 passing touchdowns, 15 rushing scores, four interceptions.

Brett Hundley, UCLA (6-3, 226): Three 3,000-yard seasons with Bruins, only five interceptions in 2014, but did so against same weak Pac-12 defenses that Mariota also faced.

Garrett Grayson, Colorado State (6-2, 213): Played for new Gators coach Jim McElwain, had 32 touchdowns vs. seven interceptions as a senior.

Bryce Petty, Baylor (6-3, 230): Like Mariota, gets "system" stigma, but great production in past two years: 8,055 pass yards, 61 scoring passes vs. 10 interceptions.

Under the radar

Cody Fajardo, Nevada (6-1, 223): Dual-threat player is second I-A quarterback ever to throw for 9,000 yards, rush for 3,000. The other one was also from Nevada: Colin Kaepernick.

Free agency

The Bucs cut Josh McCown after he went 1-10 as starter, only to see him sign a more expensive deal with the Browns. If the Bucs take Jameis Winston with the No. 1 pick, they could deal Mike Glennon for another pick, which would set them up to sign a veteran backup such as Jason Campbell, who played for coach Lovie Smith in Chicago.

Best guess

All signs point to the Bucs taking Winston, which will thrill many Tampa Bay (and Florida State) fans and upset others. A chance to have a franchise quarterback hasn't come often for the Bucs, picking at No. 1 overall for the first time since taking Vinny Testaverde in 1987.