The Buccaneers' 2015 draft class, by all accounts, was an overwhelming success. The team's top four picks – Jameis Winston, Donovan Smith, Ali Marpet and Kwon Alexander – all earned starting spots at the start of the season and all put together successful rookie campaigns.
Winston threw for 4,042 yards, the third-most in NFL history for a rookie passer, while Smith started all 16 games for the Bucs at left tackle. Marpet, at times, was among the top guards in the league, particularly in run-blocking, while Alexander finished No. 2 among Buccaneers in tackles with 93.
Photos of quarterback Jameis Winston from his rookie season.
The group, NFL Media analyst Daniel Jeremiah thinks, was the best rookie class in the league. Jeremiah listed the top five rookie classes, with the Buccaneers at No. 1, the Vikings at No. 2 and the Titans at No. 3.
"Jason Licht and Lovie Smith look to have hit a home run with first overall pick Jameis Winston, and Kwon Alexander was a legitimate Defensive Rookie of the Year candidate before he was suspended for the final four games," Jeremiah wrote.
Wednesday is the final day that voters can cast ballots for the Offensive and Defensive Rookie of the Year awards. Winston has a strong case to win the award, one that was outlined by Buccaneers.com. For more information, click **HERE**. For more of Jeremiah's analysis on the top five rookie classes of 2015, click **HERE**.
