Jameis Winston could very easily be the number one overall pick in this year's NFL draft. He is one of the most highly rated prospects available, he plays the most important position in football, and the team picking first - the Tampa Bay Buccaneers - has an undeniable need for a quarterback.
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All of these factors made it somewhat surprising, if not completely shocking, when Winston announced recently that he would not be attending the draft. It is commonplace for most, if not all, of the high draft picks to attend the event, and the top overall pick is always in attendance. But according to Bleacher Report, it really may not have been much of a decision for Winston.
Winston said that he preferred to skip out on the major production that is the NFL draft and spend the day at home with his family instead. However, league sources apparently indicate that the NFL "in the aftermath of the incidents involving Ray Rice, Adrian Peterson and Greg Hardy - is afraid of protest that will go along with Winston being the No. 1 pick."
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The sources also indicate that the league fears the backlash that may come with Winston even being a first round selection at all. So, the league may have "suggested" that Winston skip the draft in an effort to minimize any public outcry, and they undoubtedly are working on a media strategy to manage whatever negative reactions - if any - come with Winston being drafted.
It is entirely possible that Winston did in fact decide on his own to skip the draft, but in light of the way the NFL has dealt with its recent scandals, would anyone doubt that the league strong-armed him into staying home?
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