Tampa Bay Buccaneers

ESPN's Mel Kiper: "It's a Gut Feel for QBs"

ESPN's Mel Kiper discusses what teams need to look out for when drafting a quarterback with a top pick.

Feb 26, 2015 at 04:16 AM

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On Thursday morning, ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper spoke to members of the media about the NFL Combine and the upcoming NFL Draft. Among the topics he addressed was a question about the biggest mistakes teams can make when drafting a quarterback with a top pick.

**> VERNER ON THE BUCS' TOP PICK**

Kiper said the biggest thing that teams need to look at are "the intangibles".

"Just go back and look at Jay Cutler and Matt Leinart," Kiper said. "Leinart didn't have the big arm. He came out of USC with the production and the wins but he didn't have the fire and the intensity. You look at all of that."

Kiper added, "Look at Cutler. He had the big, million-dollar arm and he's the highest-paid quarterback. But the intangibles, just that 'it' factor, it wasn't there and hasn't been there. It's a gut feel for quarterbacks. It always has been and I think it always will be."

As for who the Bucs will select No. 1 overall in this year's draft, Kiper said that Winston is his pick.

"I have Winston going one," Kiper said. "I had Winston going No. 1 a month ago. I'll stick with Winston at one."

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Florida State quarterback Jameis Winston runs a drill during the 2015 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on Saturday, February 21, 2015 in Indianapolis, IN. (AP Photo/Johnny Vy)

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Florida State quarterback Jameis Winston smiles before stretching at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Saturday, Feb. 21, 2015. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

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Florida State quarterback Jameis Winston is measured for flexibility at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Saturday, Feb. 21, 2015. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

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Florida State quarterback Jameis Winston (15) and Oregon quarterback Marcus Mariota (11) stretch at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Saturday, Feb. 21, 2015. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

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Florida State quarterback Jameis Winston (15) listens to instructions before stretching at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Saturday, Feb. 21, 2015. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

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Florida State quarterback Jameis Winston (15) and Auburn quarterback Nick Marshall (12) stretch at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Saturday, Feb. 21, 2015. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

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Florida State quarterback Jameis Winston leaps during the vertical jump drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Saturday, Feb. 21, 2015. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

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Florida State quarterback Jameis Winston runs the 40 yard dash during the 2015 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on Saturday, February 21, 2015 in Indianapolis, IN. (AP Photo/Ben Liebenberg)

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Florida State quarterback Jameis Winston prepares to run the 40 yard dash during the 2015 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on Saturday, February 21, 2015 in Indianapolis, IN. (AP Photo/Ben Liebenberg)

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Florida State quarterback Jameis Winston reacts after running the 40 yard dash during the 2015 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on Saturday, February 21, 2015 in Indianapolis, IN. (AP Photo/Johnny Vy)

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Florida State quarterback Jameis Winston is filmed during a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Saturday, Feb. 21, 2015. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

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Florida State quarterback Jameis Winston throws during a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Saturday, Feb. 21, 2015. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

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Florida State quarterback Jameis Winston (15) slaps hands with Oregon quarterback Marcus Mariota (11) after running a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Saturday, Feb. 21, 2015. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

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Florida State quarterback Jameis Winston runs a drill during the 2015 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on Saturday, February 21, 2015 in Indianapolis, IN. (AP Photo/Ben Liebenberg)

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Florida State quarterback Jameis Winston throws a pass during the 2015 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on Saturday, February 21, 2015 in Indianapolis, IN. (AP Photo/Ben Liebenberg)

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Florida State quarterback Jameis Winston looks on during the 2015 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on Saturday, February 21, 2015 in Indianapolis, IN. (AP Photo/Johnny Vy)

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