Bill Belichick has finally added a first-round quarterback. The Patriots have selected Alabama quarterback Mac Jones with the No. 15 pick.
The Patriots naturally struggled to replace Tom Brady in 2020. When the team re-signed Cam Newton earlier this offseason, there was plenty of speculation that the team could still pivot to the draft (or the trade market) to find their future QB. There were even rumblings that New England would climb up the draft board in pursuit of the signal caller. Ultimately, one of the top-five quarterbacks fell into their lap without requiring any moves.
Jones naturally lands in a great spot, but it wouldn’t be surprising if the Alabama product is a bit disappointed about his slide down the board. Jones wasn’t expected to leap Trevor Lawrence or Zach Wilson, but there were whispers that the 49ers were considering Jones all the way back at the No. 3 pick. Ultimately, San Francisco opted for Trey Lance, and Jones also got leaped by Justin Fields, who went to the Bears at No. 11.
Although Jones was the least mobile of this year’s top QB prospects, he piloted another dominant Alabama team to an unbeaten season and a national championship. The 6-foot-2, 217-pound quarterback threw 41 touchdown passes, compared to four interceptions, and averaged 11.2 yards per attempt. He received the same advantages Tagovailoa did, in throwing to multiple first-round receiver talents. Both those wideouts — DeVonta Smith and Jaylen Waddle — said they preferred Jones to Tua.
Barring a time machine from Newton (or a miraculous turnaround from Jarrett Stidham), Jones will presumably be the Patriots starter by the end of the 2021 campaign. New England has loaded up their offense with targets, including tight ends Hunter Henry and Jonnu Smith and wideouts Nelson Agholor and Kendrick Bourne. While the Patriots never really had a reason to select a first-round QB with Brady under center, it will now be fascinating to see how Belichick deals with such a high-profile prospect.
Cam out there throwing fist in the air at this pick. Have fun being a place holder unless Mac out plays you in camp
Can Newton openly advocated for the Pats to draft Fields and said she would mentor him. Newton isn’t expecting to be a multi year starter in NE and he actually shown a great maturity knowing he won’t be starting long.
Thank you Mrs. Newton
Bill had a smug ass grin on when the 9ers went Lance and Bears moved up for Fields. Probably sent both GMs a bottle of hooch with his condolences.
Hahah, yeah, Jones is better then both picks before him huh? Hahaha, I like Jones, but fear he’s going to lead the league in interceptions! Haha
I thought for sure SF was taking Mac and NE trading for Jimmy G.
Well first time in decades the patriots draft a QB in first round.
Longest drought of this nature.
1971: saints
89: cowboys
93: Seahawks
I like the Jones pick.
He would have been a bust all 14 picks earlier…now he’s a Hall of Famer. He also has les hips
He got hips for days. You see him dance topless smoking a stoggie? Mmm. Class act.
He looks like he weighed 500 lbs and lost 300, but kept the weight in the hips. He’s got breading hips.
English can be your best friend, you know
Perfect fit. Perfect pick. Will he be a perfect player? We’ll see. The thing that Jones does that Brady did is go through his reads at a very high pace. That’s why the Pats wanted him-he can go through his progressions and knows where his options will be on a given play. If the Pats’ receivers can be reliable and in the right place at the right time, this pick will be very good. The current crop of receivers in New England though has not shown that, and until the Patriots get some who can, it might be best to start the bigger and more athletic Newton for a few games so Jones isn’t taking hits for nothing.
I love this pick. What we lacked last season in Newton, we have now in Jones.
Yes, he can’t run a 4 minute 40. He possesses high football intellect and can lead a team. He can read a defense. He can scan the field and process said information quickly to make the best decision. He has pocket awareness and elusiveness to slide in the pocket. His accuracy is excellent
I would much rather have those traits than what we saw last season
Let’s hope Big Mac ain’t a McNugget.