Niner Noise
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NFL Draft: 5 teams in clear need of a quarterback in 2019

By Peter Panacy

ARLINGTON, TX - APRIL 26: A video board displays an image of Josh Allen of Wyoming after he was picked #7 overall by the Buffalo Bills during the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft at AT&T Stadium on April 26, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TX - APRIL 26: A video board displays an image of Josh Allen of Wyoming after he was picked #7 overall by the Buffalo Bills during the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft at AT&T Stadium on April 26, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images) /
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SANTA CLARA, CA – OCTOBER 23: Jameis Winston #3 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers warms up prior to playing the San Francisco 49ers in their NFL game at Levi’s Stadium on October 23, 2016 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA – OCTOBER 23: Jameis Winston #3 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers warms up prior to playing the San Francisco 49ers in their NFL game at Levi’s Stadium on October 23, 2016 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /

No. 5: Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Current Starter: Jameis Winston

The 49ers actually play the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 12, which could have some impact on how the 2019 draft order pans out.

San Francisco 49ers
San Francisco 49ers /

San Francisco 49ers

Right now, though, it’s anyone’s guess what the Bucs’ long-term plans are with their franchise quarterback, Jameis Winston.

Winston’s 2018 campaign has been rocky, to say the least. There was his three-game suspension to open the year, which was paralleled by backup quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick’s red-hot start. Winston eventually returned to starting, was benched and is now slated to start again for head coach Dirk Koetter, who is also likely on the hot seat.

The quarterback’s numbers this season certainly haven’t been indicative of him remaining a cornerstone piece. Tampa Bay did pick up his fifth-year option, but that only becomes fully guaranteed at the start of the 2019 NFL new year outside of injury. The Bucs can cut him after this season with zero dead money.

It’s possible coaching changes take place for the Buccaneers between now and then, though. And a new coach could want a change under center too, meaning Winston isn’t guaranteed anything beyond this year.

If that’s the case, and with Tampa Bay currently slated to pick seventh, leapfrogging another team on the quarterback-needy list could be on the Buccaneers’ list of plans.