Jameis Winston's Shoulder Won't Harm Status as Top QB in 2015 NFL Draft

The reports of Jameis Winston's apparent shoulder issues sent a shockwave through the NFL world, a story amplified by the media scrutiny that accompanies the NFL Scouting Combine.

ESPN's Chris Mortensen reported Friday that Winston's shoulder was undergoing testing for weakness:

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Florida State quarterback Jameis Winston has undergone specific testing to determine why he is showing weakness in his throwing shoulder that was discovered during the NFL combine medical exams, according to team and league sources.

Sources said Winston underwent electromyography to study a weakness in his shoulder that often can be caused by a nerve problem and can be treated through therapy, if necessary.

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NESN.com's Doug Kyed reported Saturday that at least one scout said the injury was considered a long-term problem and could be called a "real issue."

Expected by many to be a top pick in this year's draft—which as a quarterback comes with franchise-carrying responsibilities—the possibility that the 2013 Heisman Trophy winner could be damaged goods would certainly seem to harm his status as the potential top quarterback in the draft.

However, Winston's confidence regarding the situation, his magnificent throwing performance Saturday at the combine and the overall weakness of this year's QB class will ensure that he's still in the running for the No. 1 overall pick come April 30.

Winston couldn't have planned a better overall response to the shoulder injury news Saturday at the combine. First and foremost, Winston has been steadfast in his belief that the shoulder won't be a problem.

"I had an MRI [on Thursday], just like everyone else," Winston said Friday, via Mortensen. "I've been playing football for, since I was 4 years old, and my shoulder has been fine."

He also explained to Yahoo Sports' Charles Robinson that the soreness in his shoulder was a result of the unexpected extra testing:

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I actually feel good. The thing is, they [medical staff] actually shocked my shoulder and all that stuff and it made it sore a little bit. So I'm like, 'Y'all tried to do that. You tried to get all in my shoulder and shoot me and stuff. I had this shoulder all my life, and you're going to try and make my shoulder sore.' So my shoulder was sore, but hey, ball is life.

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If Winston's words weren't enough to assuage teams' fears, his throwing performance Saturday might've done the trick. 

Winston and Oregon's Marcus Mariota, his presumed challenger for top quarterback status, both threw well Saturday. However, Winston had the truly superlative day, completing 16 of 16 passes—with just one slightly errant throw, according to Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times—and drawing rave reviews from the likes of ESPN Insider's Todd McShay:

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Winston may not run fast times, but he can extend plays with his strength and instincts, and that's enough in the NFL -- especially when you factor in his ability as a passer. He is just a natural thrower of the football. His delivery was a minor area of concern, but for the most part he showcased an efficient delivery in passing drills on Saturday. He is almost always on balance, and even when he isn't, the ball is still delivered on point. He showed excellent touch on deep balls and over-the-shoulder throws.

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One workout alone won't guarantee Winston's status as the top QB, and it certainly doesn't refute the possibility that the shoulder is more of a long-term issue, which would spell doom for anyone trying to sell himself as a franchise cornerstone.

However, the insight regarding Winston's throwing motion should not be discounted.

Julio Cortez/Associated Press

The 21-year-old's arm has taken on a greater load than most in the past couple of years due to his status as a relief pitcher for Florida State's baseball team. Robinson connected Winston's improved throwing motion to his move away from moonlighting on the diamond:

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That's something of a new wrinkle, as he moves beyond his days as a reliever for the Florida State baseball team. As a pitcher, Winston spent months each year throwing with a more wide motion. That has been eliminated as he has moved his development solely to quarterback. He was particularly impressive on 10-yard out patterns, which are among the NFL's most challenging because of the timing and velocity requirements.

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If the shoulder weakness is connected to baseball and a less-than-perfect throwing motion, NFL executives can at least take heart in the fact that once he's drafted, it will be all football for the talented signal-caller.

ESPN's Josina Anderson also reported Saturday that a source affiliated with a team holding a top-10 pick isn't concerned with the shoulder:

As it stands, Mariota appears to be the only direct threat to Winston's predraft supremacy this year. They are the only two QBs with a first-round projection from CBS Sports. UCLA's Brett Hundley is a distant third. If this were a different, more talented crop of signal-callers, the news about Winston's shoulder might've thrown things into chaos.

The fact that Tampa Bay and Tennessee own the first two picks and have obvious questions at quarterback will preclude gambling on a lesser player's potential.

If anything, Winston's maturity might be a greater concern than his shoulder, and it's possible those concerns are cooling.

Buccaneers head coach Lovie Smith has already stated his comfort with entrusting the fate of his team to Winston despite Winston's myriad off-field issues. Via Stroud:

Even if Winston is the more pro-ready quarterback than Mariota at this point, the idea that his time as a top-tier NFL player is limited is troubling. Mariota might take longer to reach a peak level of performance than Winston in the pros, but if he has a better chance of staying at an elite level due to better health, he could be seen as the more valuable choice.

But at this early stage, that amounts to a forest full of tea leaves for an NFL team to read. It's likely NFL teams will concentrate on what is in front of them, and Winston has made a strong case at the combine.

With a paucity of options at quarterback this year, even a potential shoulder issue and lingering behavioral concerns can't doom Winston's draft prospects.