Marcus Mariota, Jameis Winston Skipping 2015 NFL Draft Is Much Ado About Nothing

In today's National Football League, there's no such thing as a slow news day. If we aren't discussing a free-agent signing, we're talking about a coaching change. Or a defensive scheme switch. Or the latest rule-tweaking brilliance from the league office.

Or at least I thought there was no such thing as a slow news day. I may have to reconsider that assessment, however, in light of the kerfuffle surrounding the decisions of star quarterbacks Jameis Winston and Marcus Mariota to forgo the festivities in Chicago at the NFL draft later this month.

As Will Brinson of CBS Sports reported, Winston again told reporters at his pro day earlier this week that his preference would be to remain home for the draft, in part because his ailing grandmother can't travel.

"She has Type-2 diabetes and has multiple surgeries and I want her to be there," Winston said. "I want the people who I've been with Day 1 to be around me and enjoy this moment. It's a celebration to me and it's a once-in-a lifetime opportunity."

Winston is widely considered the favorite to be the first overall pick in this year's draft, and the notion that the draft could kick off with a no-show wasn't met well by Vinnie Iyer of Sporting News:

"

The underlying story line is that it's also a chance for Winston to avoid any (further) backlash as he's being introduced as a pro quarterback for the first time.

That shouldn't be acceptable to the league, and it isn't a good idea for Winston, either.

Some might say Winston has a responsibility to be there after all that's happened. If the Buccaneers feel comfortable enough to make Winston the face of their franchise, then Winston should feel obligated to represent the franchise in person in one of its biggest moments.

We can understand if circumstances prohibit Winston's most important loved ones from traveling to Chicago to join him. If there are no such circumstances, then the NFL should make every concession to Winston to help them all be there, just as it has done with families of every prominent prospect in the past.

It's that important for Winston to be there, for everyone. After what the league and Winston have been through since the last draft, his selection wouldn't be the same unless it ends with him firmly shaking Goodell's hand.

"

Apparently Winston also started a trend. As ESPN's Adam Schefter reported a few days ago, Mariota has also decided to watch the draft from home: "Mariota informed the league he plans to be in Hawaii among his family and the community that helped raise him. Mariota told the NFL that it is important to him, both personally and culturally, to be in Hawaii to celebrate the next step in his life."

Just as with Winston's announcement, Mariota's decision was met with criticism, this time from Jarrett Bell of USA Today:

"

They can have their celebrations at home after the draft — even weeks later.

If people can get married in February and take their honeymoon in July, why can't a couple of high draft picks delay their parties? I'm sure people would understand.

By thumbing their nose to the NFL — and the charity functions, fan and sponsor interaction events and media obligations that are part of the draft week festivities — Winston and Mariota would be shirking some professional responsibility.

They are quarterbacks, right? Faces of the franchise? Well, attending the draft would be a good step toward showing they're ready to handle the big time like big boys. ... Skipping the draft comes off as being spoiled while wrapped in a sense of entitlement.

"

What's next? Yelling at Winston and Mariota to get off the lawn?

Simply put, this issue isn't one at all. The controversy is more like a nontroversy. Mountain, meet molehill.

For starters, let's dispense with the notion that either player is skipping the draft for fear of a draft-day slide a la Aaron Rodgers in 2005. Yes, Rodgers' drop to the 24th overall pick that year made for some uncomfortable footage in the green room.

It's not going to happen in 2015. Winston and Mariota stand head and shoulders above the other quarterback prospects this year. The odds of either youngster making it out of the top 10 are slim to none.

Remember, the first overall pick in that 2005 NFL draft was Utah's Alex Smith—a quarterback.

While we're at it, let's go ahead and toss the notion that Winston's ducking the draft for fear of uncomfortable questions about his off-the-field transgressions at Florida State.

You mean the uncomfortable questions that Winston's been answering ad nauseam for the past year? The questions that Winston's made no effort to duck so far?

Those questions?

And the idea that choosing to watch the draft from home with family and friends as opposed to attending in person is somehow immature or "shirking some professional responsibility?"

How exactly do Winston or Mariota have a professional responsibility to a team who hasn't drafted them yet?

Frankly, the notion that skipping the festivities in Chicago makes Mariota or Winston immature is backwards. It's actually quite the opposite.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers weren't driving Winston back and forth to Pop Warner practices in Alabama. The Tennessee Titans weren't cheering Mariota on from the stands at St. Louis High School in Honolulu.

Their families did that. The NFL has had exactly squat to do with these young men reaching the point they have. Their families, on the other hand?

It's doubtful either young quarterback would be where they are without them.

Knowing that, and wanting to share the realization of a lifelong dream with the people who helped them accomplish that goal, doesn't demonstrate a lack of maturity.

Quite the opposite, in fact. Teams want their quarterbacks to lead. Leaders aren't afraid to stick up for what they believe in. Leaders do what's right, not what's popular or expected of them.

Granted, Mariota and Winston skipping the draft is hardly what the NFL wants. The league has turned the NFL draft into a three-day televised event. Taking the show on the road was the first step in a plan to make the draft an even bigger spectacle.

A spectacle that takes a sizable hit if the draft's top two (potential) picks aren't in the building when their names are called.

However, that isn't Mariota or Winston's problem. This is one of the biggest days of their young lives—and it's their day—to spend as they see fit.

Back in 2007, Cleveland Browns offensive tackle Joe Thomas was considered one of that draft's truly elite prospects. As Andrew Wagner of Greater Milwaukee Today reported at the time, Thomas chose to skip that year's draft—in favor of a fishing trip with his family.

"Some people that went to the draft didn’t have much fun for those four days," Thomas said. "They got in Tuesday or Wednesday and were shuffled around. They’d meet and sign autographs for people with no chance to relax, be with their family, and just enjoy the process."

Whereas Winston and Mariota have been widely panned, Thomas was celebrated for "being his own man." And given that he's made the Pro Bowl every season he's been in the NFL, choosing to skip the draft appears to have meant absolutely nothing at the end of the day.

So get off Mariota and Winston. Allow them to celebrate the next step in their playing careers how they want, and not how you think they should.

And save the outrage for something that actually merits it.

Gary Davenport is an NFL Analyst at Bleacher Report and a member of the Fantasy Sports Writers Association and the Pro Football Writers of America. You can follow Gary on Twitter at @IDPManor.