Jameis Winston First Overall NFL Draft Pick

After months of intensive research, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers used the first overall draft pick Thursday night on Jameis Winston, who is hoping to "gain everyone's trust" despite his checkered past.

The Bucs drafted Winston to be their long-awaited franchise quarterback, an indication they don't believe a series of off-field incidents at Florida State will be a precursor to future behavior.

"I've got to work," Winston said Thursday night. "Actions speak so much louder than words, or what they may have read or what they may have heard. It's about your actions. Whatever is in the past is in the past. I look forward to gaining everyone's trust."

Added Bucs general manager Jason Licht: "If he wasn't a good guy, we wouldn't have used the first pick on him."

The Bucs also looked closely at Oregon quarterback Marcus Mariota. But Winston had the edge because he played in a pro-style offense in college, while Mariota, the reigning Heisman winner, played in a spread system. The Titans selected Mariota with the second overall pick.

The Jaguars selected Florida defensive end Dante Fowler with the third overall pick before the Raiders took Alabama wideout Amari Cooper at No. 4. The Redskins rounded out the top five by selecting Iowa offensive lineman Brandon Scherff, allowing USC defensive lineman Leonard Williams to fall to the Jets at No. 6.

Todd Gurley, who suffered a torn ACL in November while with Georgia, was taken by the Rams with the 10th overall pick, becoming the first running back drafted in the first round since 2012.