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Tampa Bay QB Jameis Winston is a free agent after the season. Will the Bucs bring him back? Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports

Scout's takes: Why I like Bucs' Winston, Steelers' Dupree

By Matt Williamson | Last updated 11/7/19

Former NFL scout Matt Williamson writes about the league from an X's and O's perspective. Here are his weekly observations:

Why Bucs should re-sign Jameis Winston

Without question, Winston can be a turnover machine. He takes lots of risks and is often reckless. But here's the real deal: He's playing really well now.

Winston has thrown for 300 or more yards and at least two TDs in five of his past six games. His 13.2 yards per completion trails only Kansas City's Patrick Mahomes and Detroit's Matthew Stafford. Yes, he has thrown 12 interceptions, but five came in an awful game against Carolina.

Winston will never be a game manager, but he is ultra-competitive and generates a ton of big plays, often on high-degree-of-difficulty throws. He fits in with first-year Bucs head coach Bruce Arians' deep passing philosophy. Advice to Bucs: Lock up the soon-to-be free-agent to a contract. He's only 25.

A theory about Patriots-Ravens

Losing to Baltimore is unlikely to affect the Patriots in the AFC playoff picture. New England still has the inside track for the No. 1 seed. In fact, the 37-20 pounding will give Bill Belichick great ammunition to show his team its weaknesses on film and not let anyone get comfortable over these next two weeks. (New England has a bye until its next game, at Philadelphia.) Belichick surely gathered a ton of data on how to defend the Ravens' unorthodox offense and quarterback in Lamar Jackson. The first time a defense plays Jackson, it's almost caught off guard. There is no proper way to prepare for him. The second time around, Belichick and his defense will be in far better shape to slow him.

Brandon Allen is better than Joe Flacco

He's a short-term fix with a weak arm and lacks starting quarterback traits, but the 27-year-old career backup could give the Broncos a better chance to win than Flacco. He simply fits the Denver system much better.

The Broncos' offense is predicated on a zone-running scheme and incorporates a lot of designed quarterback movement, usually off play action. Flacco was statue. The Broncos will design easier throws for Allen on bootlegs and feed off the running game. Rookie Drew Lock brings a similar ability (and a much better arm) and will probably take over soon after Denver’s Week 10 bye.

Panthers not just Christian McCaffrey on offense

It is easy to focus on the remarkable McCaffrey in the Panthers' offense. But Carolina has a pair of excellent receivers worth watching: DJ Moore and Curtis Samuel. Neither is the biggest or most physical, but they are developing quickly as contested-catch receivers. Samuel has more flat-out speed and is more of a big-play threat. Moore is the more technically refined route runner and can nickel-and-dime a defense. Both excel with the ball in their hands. The big question for the Panthers: Will Cam Newton or Kyle Allen or someone else be throwing to them in 2020?

Steelers linebacker Bud Dupree pressures the 49ers' Jimmy Garoppolo. Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports

What I like about Steelers' LB Bud Dupree

With his rookie deal expiring after the season, Pittsburgh has a tough decision regarding Dupree. He made great strides last season, when he played the better part of the second half with a torn pectoral muscle. In 2019, he is a force (six sacks). The former first-round pick isn’t overly flexible and doesn’t change directions extremely well. But Dupree runs through lighter offensive tackles and has the ability to beat opponents with his speed. He is winning more one-on-one matchups than he ever has. Along with T.J. Watt, a potential Defensive Player of the Year, he gives the Steelers one of the league's best pair of edge rushers. Pittsburgh might have to use the franchise tag to keep Dupree.

The woes of Allen Robinson

You have to feel for the Bears' receiver, who signed with Chicago in 2018 after four seasons in Jacksonville. His QB for the Jaguars? Blake Bortles. Ugh. His QB for the Bears? Mitch Trubisky. Double-ugh. Robinson, who has 532 yards receiving this season, is a true No. 1 receiver, a term I don't use lightly. His ball skills are superb, and he can abuse a defense at every level. He is consistent as well as dynamic, but few notice how good he is because of the team's QB situation. Just imagine Robinson in Green Bay, New Orleans or really just about anywhere else.

Examining Buffalo's RB situation

Rookie Devin Singletary excelled in his first start in Week 9, rushing for 95 yards against Washington. But don't expect veteran Frank Gore to fade away. Singletary, clearly the more dynamic player of the two, couldn't ask for a better mentor. Gore, no longer a big-play threat, knows every trick of the trade and is far better in pass protection. Singletary isn’t particularly fast or explosive, but he has excellent vision and is a solid outlet receiver for Josh Allen, who needs all the help he can get with easy throws.

Scout's nuggets

The Vikings' starting corners worry me. Xavier Rhodes is declining, and even with an excellent pass-rush from Everson Griffin and Danielle Hunter, Trae Waynes is having a substandard season. Quick, change-of-direction receivers can give them fits. ... Last season, the Browns had success using double-tight end sets. For the most part, this kept Cleveland’s opponents in more of their base defense and Baker Mayfield saw more predictable coverages. But Cleveland has gotten away from using heavier personnel this season, preferring more three-wide receiver sets. It's one reason, among many, the offense is not as effective. ... Chiefs defensive tackle Chris Jones is one of the NFL's best defenders. In pursuit of a ball-carrier or hunting a quarterback, he shows excellent speed and can change direction abruptly for such a big man (6-foot-6, 310 pounds). Outside of Mahomes, he is Kansas City’s most important player.

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