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How Joe Burrow stacks up against the last five quarterbacks picked first overall

By Steve Rivera

ATLANTA, GEORGIA - DECEMBER 28: Quarterback Joe Burrow #9 of the LSU Tigers delivers a pass against the defense of the Oklahoma Sooners during the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on December 28, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GEORGIA - DECEMBER 28: Quarterback Joe Burrow #9 of the LSU Tigers delivers a pass against the defense of the Oklahoma Sooners during the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on December 28, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /
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TAMPA, FLORIDA – DECEMBER 29: Jameis Winston #3 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers scrambles with the ball against the Atlanta Falcons during the second half at Raymond James Stadium on December 29, 2019 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FLORIDA – DECEMBER 29: Jameis Winston #3 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers scrambles with the ball against the Atlanta Falcons during the second half at Raymond James Stadium on December 29, 2019 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /

Jameis Winston is an interesting name on this list. Like Burrow, he’s a Heisman Trophy winner, won a host of awards including the Walter Camp Award, AP College Player of the Year, and won a National Championship while at Florida State. His accolades are numerous. He’s also potentially on the way out the door in Tampa.

This may not ultimately be close. He’s a player who is feast or famine, and the Bucs could be on the verge of cutting bait on their 2015 first overall selection. Winston is a player who can throw for a ton of yards and touchdowns, but also throw for the same in interceptions.

It’s hard to see how Joe Burrow isn’t ultimately a better quarterback than Winston. Granted, the one year sample of his time at LSU is just that: one year. But his accuracy and ability to see the field was impressive. He’s smart with where he places the ball, and while the arm isn’t as big as Winston’s, he won’t take more than he needs to from a defense.

Of the five quarterbacks on this list, Winston will ultimately be the least successful. With a lot of potential and a big arm, his downside is equally considerable, both on and off the field. Something Burrow hasn’t shown a tendency for. With Winston likely on the move from the team who drafted him, it is hard to see Burrow flirting with similar circumstances in Cincinnati.

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