A pile of interceptions is what the Tampa Bay Buccaneers signed up for when they made Jameis Winston the first pick in the 2015 NFL draft. At least early on.
Coaches and evaluators around the league suspected it, and the Buccaneers had to know the risks as well. Winston tossed 18 picks during his final season at Florida State, about as clear an indicator as there could be. The four interceptions Winston served up Sunday during a 37-23 home defeat to Carolina gave him seven in his first four games as a professional. Geno Smith is the only rookie opening day starter in the past 17 years to throw more in his team's first four games. That sounds ominous for the Buccaneers, but it's a little more complicated than that.
After all, Peyton Manning threw 11 picks in the first four games of his rookie season,