Clint Lamb
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Alabama held its second Pro Day on Tuesday, and Mac Jones was once again the focal point of the event. Many consider the Crimson Tide quarterback a top-10 pick in next month’s draft, so that makes sense
One of the teams in desperate need of a long-term option at quarterback is the New England Patriots. After failing to find Tom Brady’s replacement in 2020, there is now even more pressure to make it happen in 2021.
There are currently five signal callers projected to go in the first round: Trevor Lawrence (Clemson), Zach Wilson (BYU), Trey Lance (North Dakota State), Justin Fields (Ohio State) and Jones. For a team sitting at No. 15, that’s a good thing, but that still doesn’t mean one will be available.
In fact, New England will likely have to move up in order to land one, so top decision-makers are doing their due diligence. The last thing the franchise wants to do is use valuable draft capital to move up, and then watch the player they select fail.
Considering Jones is a realistic option — both in terms of style and where he’s projected to go — it makes sense for the Patriots to get a good look at him. That’s why head coach Bill Belichick and offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels both headed to Tuscaloosa for the Alabama Pro Day.
Though a viral clip of Jones overthrowing a pass and Belichick shaking his head emerged from the event, it’s hard to know what the takeaways are. We do know Crimson Tide coach Nick Saban and Belichick are good friends, so I’m sure that will help New England get a clear picture of what to expect with Jones.
Offseason moves have set the Patriots up nicely for Jones as well. This is a quarterback who can succeed, but he needs to have the right pieces around him for that to happen.
His lack of mobility means he’ll need an offensive line that can keep him protected. With Trent Brown, David Andrews and Ted Karras returning, that unit is solid.
And though they lacked a good group of pass-catchers in 2020, New England corrected that issue with the following additions:
- TE Jonnu Smith
- TE Hunter Henry
- WR Nelson Agholor
- WR Kendrick Bourne
That tight end duo could be one of the league’s best, and the others are good — not great — players. But mixed with guys such as Jakobi Myers, N’Keal Harry and maybe Julian Edelman, it could be a serviceable group that plays a complementary role to the tight ends and pass-catching running backs.
Most — if not all — of the other needs on the roster have been addressed too, which gives Belichick and company flexibility come draft day. They can afford to lose picks in order to move up for a quarterback such as Jones. It’s the perfect scenario.
Will they? That remains to be seen, but things are setting up nicely. And it’s a major reason why Belichick wanted to get his own eyes — and the eyes of his play-caller — on the Alabama quarterback on Tuesday.
Follow Clint Lamb on Twitter @ClintRLamb.
I’m not so sure about his perceived lack of mobility after he ran 4.72 and 4.68 40’s. That’s certainly above average speed for an NFL QB. Some reporters tried to make a story of Belichick shaking his head on one over throw, but when I watched a dozen other throws Jones was throwing lasers on the money everywhere. He’s not dropping on anyone’s board.
Pats aren’t in desperate need of a qb….they got a black skin suit guy which the media tells me is the best qb.
Mac Jones has an attitude.
He must be Irish/Scotish, because only an Irishman, that was insulted by a scottsman would be so snarky.
whoever drafts this dude may win right away …
(Saban would have kept jones on the bench if he could have)