Our weekly look at clues that might reveal whether the Buccaneers are leaning toward selecting Jameis Winston or Marcus Mariota -- or neither -- with the No. 1 pick in the draft:

Coach Lovie Smith is either set on making Winston the first pick or he’s creating one of the best smokescreens ever.

Smith has heaped praise on the Florida State quarterback throughout the offseason. The latest example came at last week’s NFL owners meetings.

Smith was asked if it was an “erroneous assumption’’ that the Bucs are leaning toward Winston. Smith said that wouldn’t be wrong, but he followed that up by saying the process isn’t over yet. The Bucs still have almost a month before they make a final decision.

Mariota remains a part of that process. The Bucs will hold a private workout with the Oregon quarterback, who already paid a visit to One Buccaneer Place. They also will have a private workout with Winston and they’ll attend his pro day in Tallahassee on Tuesday.

Winston’s off-field woes have been well documented. Smith previously has said he would be comfortable with Winston as the face of the franchise. Bucs co-chairman Joel Glazer said at the owners meetings that ownership is fine with Winston or Mariota.

Having ownership on board with Winston is a significant hurdle. The Glazer family usually leaves football matters up to Smith and general manager Jason Licht. But a decision of this magnitude requires ownership to sign off.

This pick represents one of the most important moves in franchise history and everyone must be in agreement. It sounds like everyone who matters likes Winston and the team is poised to hand him millions of dollars.

So why not come out now and say Winston is the pick?

That’s because there still is a lot of time between now and the draft. The Bucs would be foolish to make any final declaration right now. Mariota could sway things with a strong private workout. Or Winston could hurt his own stock if there are any more off-the-field incidents.

Or maybe the Bucs are trying to lure another team into trading up to No. 1. But I don’t think that’s likely. Smoke screens aren’t necessary at No. 1.

Everything the Bucs say keeps pointing to Winston as the choice.