"Unpacking Mac Jones: Analyzing the Rookie Quarterback's Impact on the Patriots Offense"

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Our perspective on 2021 rookie Mac Jones.

Mac “McCorkle” Jones, 6’2½” 217 lbs, out of Alabama. Mac had a 96.1 QBR last season to go along with 41 touchdowns to only 4 interceptions. He’s a very smart play-caller that processes what’s going on quickly. To go along with the fast processing, he makes good decisions. He also shows good anticipation and throws receivers open with excellent ball placement. Mac was a team captain on a star-studded Bama squad last season, has natural leadership traits and intense competitiveness. He also has intelligence to add to his athletic traits: finished a Bachelor’s Degree in 3 years with a 4.0 GPA and completed his Master’s during his 4th year at Alabama.

"...throws receivers open with excellent ball placement."

For the lowlights, we’ll start with his lack of elite arm strength. It’s adequate, but he is definitely more average than we like to see. He really struggles to put anything on his throws if he’s not set—average size and mobility to go along with an unathletic build. You can’t ask much of him outside the pocket. His mobility was okay at Alabama, where he was behind the best offensive line in college football, but he won’t be able to be a statue at the next level. He was seen as a high-character guy, but he was arrested for DUI and a fake ID in his redshirt year. Nothing since, so I'll just chalk that up to being young and dumb.

Scouting Report

After backing up Tua the year prior, Jones proved he belonged in a starring role for Bama in 2020. He led the team to a National Championship and set an NCAA record for completion percentage (77.4%) in a season. He was also Alabama’s first player to ever reach 4500 passing yards. We’ve said in the past that Mac Jones was in a perfect situation at Alabama, and that’s why he looked so good: great O-line, surrounded by top-tier talent, all-time great head coach, etc. Regardless of his situation, it is hard to deny the numbers. Mac Jones still had to make the reads and throws, and despite what he lacks, his competitiveness and ability to avoid mistakes will make him a solid NFL QB at some point. Maybe even later this season.