The Tampa Bay Buccaneers sent a group of scouts and important team officials across the United States on Tuesday for a private workout with Marcus Mariota in Eugene, Oregon.

The Buccaneers, who own the first-overall pick in the NFL Draft, have been largely linked to Florida State quarterback Jameis Winston. In fact, every mock draft surveyed by TSN.ca in the Average Mock Draft Position have the Bucs taking Winston.

However, Tuesday's trip proves the Buccaneers, at very least, are unwilling to tip their hand on the top pick just yet. In a photo tweeted by the Buccaneers official account, head coach Lovie Smith (right) and offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter (left) can both be clearly seen on the plane travelling to see Mariota.

Buccaneers general manager Jason Licht attended Winston's pro day at FSU last week and did not hold back praise for the redshirt sophomore.

“Very good. Excellent. Had a great day,” Licht told JoeBucsFan.com.  “This was outstanding.  He threw a full nine innings.”

Winston holds the edge on Mariota in many aspects of gameplay, having a run a pro-style offence with the Seminoles. Mariota did not take any snaps from under centre with the Ducks and worked in a no-huddle system, in which he did not call audibles.

Courtesy: @TBBuccaneers

However, Mariota seemingly has no red flags in his scouting report and had no trouble handling media pressure on a national stage. Winston has been involved in multiple run-ins with the law and was suspended one game by Florida State for an inappropriate comment made on campus.

The Buccaneers will announce their decision when the NFL Draft opens on April 29.