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Early reviews on Jameis Winston

Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston (3) throws against the Cincinnati Bengals during the first quarter of an NFL preseason football game Monday, Aug. 24, 2015, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)

It’s far too early to be forming any kind of definitive judgments on Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston or any other rookie from the 2015 NFL draft class, but we can draw some early insights based on his two preseason performances – and the year’s worth of numbers we have on his 2014 performance.

His numbers overall this preseason have been mediocre – a 53.1 percent completion percentage, and a 0-to-1 TD-to-INT ratio – but his second outing (+1.9 grade), Monday night’s game against the Bengals, went much better than his first (-0.9).

But anyone seeking hints on Winston's future would be wise to pay more attention to his college career for now, rather than what we've seen in his first preseason. As Steve Palazzolo discussed in his draft profile, Winston was sensational as a freshman in 2013, as his 99 PFF rating was better than any QB managed in 2014. However, 2014 saw Winston mix good and bad throws in equal measure, finishing with 20 big-time throws to 21 turnover-worthy plays.

In all likelihood that pattern will continue into his rookie season, and we’ve seen that so far in his limited preseason action. But the Bucs will gladly deal with the ups and downs if he can eventually reach the ceiling he flashed with his 2014 performance.

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