The Jameis RiskKING: Daniel, do the scouts you know, and the Tampa people you know, really believe Winston’s clean enough off the field to risk at number one?JEREMIAH: I know they have done an incredible amount of background work on Winston, and I believe they feel his issues are more “immaturity” than major character flaws. One thing about Winston: He loves football. That is a good starting point. That was the major concern with Manziel.VRENTAS: I just want to say, though, that I watched The Hunting Ground [the recent documentary on campus sexual assault] last week, which has a segment focusing on Winston’s case. His accuser speaks, and so does State Attorney Willie Meggs, who made the decision not to file charges against Winston. Meggs stands by that decision, but when asked if he believes Winston is innocent, he paused. “I think I did not have sufficient evidence to prove he sexually assaulted her against her will,” he said. “I think things that happened that night were not good.” His words, “not good,” are troublesome, and I just think it’s important to differentiate between some of the other incidents Winston was involved with at Florida State (stealing crab legs, standing on a table and yelling an obscenity) that can be chalked up to immaturity, and the sexual assault allegation. Winston was never arrested or charged with a crime and has maintained his innocence, but the prosecutor’s own words should give pause to teams investigating Winston and considering investing in him. Their burden of proof is lesser than in a court of law.KLEMKO: For what it’s worth, I’ve asked three area scouts for that region, and two said they wouldn’t take the risk, but they’re glad they weren’t in position to make the decision because they didn’t know what they would ultimately decide http://mmqb.si.com/2015/04/07/2015-nfl-draft-roundtable-philip-rivers-jameis-winston-marcus-mariota/
