Mayock's QBs

Everybody with a care about the 2015 NFL Draft has an opinion on the top quarterbacks in that draft. Some have their own opinion. Others accept as their own the opinion of others. Mike Mayock is one of the most respected draft analysts out there so it only follows that many accept his opinions as gospel. He had this to say about that:

"No one in their right mind cares about what I think."

Or something like that. Actually, a lot of people care a great deal about what Mayock thinks. That's why it was quite a media sensation when he released his most recent quarterback rankings on Wednesday. About two months ago Mayock's quarterback rankings for the 2015 NFL Draft looked like this:

1. Jameis Winston, Florida St.
2. Marcus Mariota, Oregon
3. Bryce Petty, Baylor
4. Brett Hundley, UCLA
5. Garrett Grayson, Colorado St.

After some Pro Days and continued thought, Mayock sees the 2015 quarterback class like this:

1. Marcus Mariota, Oregon
2. Jameis Winston, Florida St.
3. Bryce Petty, Baylor
4. Garrett Grayson, Colorado St.
5. Brett Hundley, UCLA

Wow! He did not just do that! This is earth-shaking news. Despite Mayock's low opinion of his opinions a lot of people think quite highly of his opinions. Enough so that this was big news on Wednesday. Perhaps that was because this is a fairly slow time in the football calendar. No matter the reason this was an attention-grabber. Mayock went on to explain that Winston's on-field decision-making that led to a surprisingly high number of interceptions in contrast to Mariota's relatively microscopic number of interceptions was a big reason for the rankings flip. Winston's tremendous play in the second half of several games was necessary simply because of his shaky play in the first half of those games. Then there's Winston's off-field decisions. Mariota is damn near saint-like in comparison. Mayock's ranking change shouldn't be such a surprise. Both Winston and Mariota are terrific quarterback prospects. Winston is easier to judge because he has played in a pro-style offense. Mariota is more difficult to judge because he hasn't. The only reason for any surprise is because nearly everyone has had Jameis Winston locked in as the Tampa Bay Buccaneer's pick. Now they have to rethink their thinking simply because Mayock rethought his.

Mayock is the only one smart enough to point out that his draft opinions really matters very little. The only opinion that does matter in regards to the quarterbacks is that of the Buccaneers' decision-makers. If they like Winston best he's the top pick. If they like Mariota best he's the top pick. And that decision has nothing to do with Mayock's, or anyone's, pre-draft rankings.