Alabama QB Mac Jones was in the back of the pack of QBs entering the 2021 NFL Draft.
He was viewed as a QB that played inferior defenses with top-tier WRs.
He did not need to squeeze the ball into tight windows since his targets had 5+ yards of separation.
Jones had all day to throw the ball behind the best offensive line in college football.
The running backs kept the pass rushers in check and of course, the best head coach in CFB history is calling the shots.
I can see why there are skeptics out there, especially if he goes to the wrong team.
That’s why he needs a team with pieces in place to go in and not have to be perfect.
A team where there is not a ton of pressure on him to succeed or else he can be on the trade block.
We don’t need another Josh Rosen situation.
1: New England Patriots
Recent reports show Jimmy Garoppolo is on the New England Patriots’ radar.
If they decided to go the draft route instead of the veteran route, Mac Jones would be perfect.
Tua with all the praise for Mac Jones🐐 pic.twitter.com/70BFhnTcD7
— PFF Draft (@PFF_College) March 1, 2021
It might be a stretch to compare someone who has not played a snap in the NFL to Tom Brady, but I get his point.
Mac Jones has an amazing pocket presence and can deliver a ball anywhere on the field.
He never looked uncomfortable zipping the ball to the sideline or chucking it 30 yards downfield.
This will be helpful in the Patriots’ offense since they will need to keep the playbook diverse.
There is not a lot of talent currently on the Patriots roster so the mastermind Bill Belichick will need to get creative.
If there is one thing Belichick is very good at, it’s getting creative and adapting to the situation.
He did his best with Cam Newton in 2020, but trying to completely change to a run-first team was bound to fail.
With Jones, he can go back to his bland, 5 step drop, scan, and throw offense.
Even with a weak offensive line, Jones can still deliver the ball.
Only draft eligible QB with a 100+ passer rating under pressure this season
Mac Jones – 123.9 pic.twitter.com/g91IQRTqrZ
— PFF Draft (@PFF_College) March 7, 2021
It might be a bumpy first year as the Patriots re-tool the offense.
They would at least be set at QB for a few years on a cheap rookie contract.
2: Atlanta Falcons
Tua compared Mac Jones to Tom Brady.
My comparison is Matt Ryan.
I know a “Kyle Shanahan” type QB doesn’t sound sexy but Mac Jones in my opinion is a high level version. Closer to a Matt Ryan type. But it’s early in the process. His ball placement pushing the ball vertically is crazy good. pic.twitter.com/s4s4FUUBuX
— Crocky (@eric_crocker) October 12, 2020
The Falcons will be drafting a QB in this draft, no doubt about it.
I was surprised they left the 2020 NFL Draft without a QB.
It left them with Matt Shaub as the backup, and now he is retired.
Mac Jones is Matt Ryan 2.0 and I don’t think this offense would skip a beat.
Julio Jones is still around and Calvin Ridley has proved he can be a WR1 on most teams.
The Atlanta offense has always been stacked and it gives Mac Jones a great cast to work with in year one.
Jones doesn’t even need a good RB to run play-action with.
Play action is nice, but he thrives in drop-back offenses.
Highest passing grade on play action and non-play action passes in 2020:
Play action: Zach Wilson – 96.5
Non-play action: Mac Jones – 93.8 pic.twitter.com/zZlT9Vj2A0
— PFF Draft (@PFF_College) March 6, 2021
The Falcons need to move on from Matt Ryan, but they can just re-draft him this year.
3: New Orleans Saints
The Saints are my dark horse team since they have pick #28.
If the two teams I listed above pass on him, he might have a chance to slip that far.
The Saints are getting the parade ready for Drew Brees‘ retirement.
Behind him is backup QB/WR/RB/TE/ST Taysom Hill and the notorious Jameis Winson.
Not exactly a crew I am thrilled about if I’m Sean Peyton.
If I am Sean, I will pull out the ole’ QB whisperer title, trade Winston and get Jones in the building.
You have Alvin Kamara and Michael Thomas who are both top 5 in their position groups to help him.
The offensive line is better than most, and of course, you have Taysom Hill.
The coach is perfect, the offense has the weapons and the playbook is diverse enough to keep defenses on their toes.
I am not saying Mac Jones is Drew Brees, but I think it is as close as the Saints are going to get.
Just because he's not an escape artist, don't say Mac Jones doesn't have elite physical traits. He has unbelievable feet and a tremendous arm. And on top of it, he's a more consistent thrower than Trevor Lawrence.
— Chris Simms (@CSimmsQB) March 8, 2021
Brees was considered undersized and did not have an arm for the NFL.
The Saints can prove them all wrong again by giving Mac Jones a chance in New Orleans.
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