Mac Jones

The New England Patriots scored one of the biggest steals of the 2021 NFL draft when they selected Mac Jones at No. 15 overall.

Now that the organization has acquired its quarterback of the future without having to give up anything to get him, it needs to get the Alabama product ready to run the offense sooner than later.

Jones was the first quarterback that head coach Bill Belichick has ever taken in the first round, having never done so during his 26 previous drafts with the Cleveland Browns and the Patriots. Despite finally spending an early pick on a signal-caller, Belichick doesn't appear to be in a hurry to install Jones as the Patriots' No. 1 QB, at least publicly.

Belichick has indicated that Cam Newton is the team's 2021 starter as of now. Per Mark Daniels of the Providence Journal, after the draft, the longtime coach said, "Cam's our quarterback. Whatever time Jarrett [Stidham] or Mac are ready to challenge and compete, we'll see how that goes. But right now for Mac, he's just got a lot of learning in front of him."

Newton's first year at Gillette Stadium didn't go too well, as the Patriots went just 7-9 with the former Carolina Panther at the helm. The team missed the playoffs for the first time since 2008 and suffered through a losing campaign for the first time since Belichick first joined the club in 2000.

While some of the blame can be attributed to New England having the most opt-outs in the league—12 percent of the total players (eight of 67) who chose not to suit up in 2020 were under contract with the Patriots—it didn't help that the offense underwent a significant shift to accommodate a QB change from Tom Brady to Newton.

In 2019, the Patriots attempted passes on over 56 percent of their offensive snaps. In 2020, the team passed approximately 45 percent of the time. Only the Baltimore Ravens, who led the league in rushing yards by a mile, and Tennessee Titans ran the ball more last season. It would be tough to argue that these scheme changes were worthwhile, given New England had one of the most impotent offenses in the league last year. The squad averaged just 327.3 yards and 20.4 points per game, ranking them near the bottom of the league. Even the 2019 Patriots, who were known more for their defense than anything else, averaged a much more respectable 354.0 yards and 26.3 points per game.

Instead of going back to what didn't work—a rushing offense that leaned heavily on Newton as a ball-carrier, evidenced by his 137 totes for 592 yards and 12 scores—the Patriots must get Jones ready for Week 1 so they can return to their roots.

This offense needs to be helmed by a QB who can make quick, precise throws and convert on third downs to complement a smashmouth running game.

Given Jones completed a scorching 77.4 percent of his passes while guiding Alabama to a national title this past season, he certainly fits the bill for this system. Jones rarely makes mistakes, either, amassing 41 touchdown passes while being intercepted just four times on 402 passing attempts in 2020.

Last season, Newton connected on only eight touchdown throws against 10 interceptions.

The Patriots shouldn't stray too far from their run-pass balance in 2021, though, as the team still boasts one of the best offensive lines in football and just signed a pair of quality tight ends in Hunter Henry and Jonnu Smith. These prized free-agency acquisitions will let New England effectively deploy two-tight end sets again after using the formation just 23 times last year, which will keep defenses guessing and allow the Patriots to pound the rock or dink and dunk down the field.

Jones has a bit of an advantage when it comes to getting brought up to speed too. Nick Saban's program utilizes similar Ron Erhardt/Ray Perkins concepts, so many of these will be quite recognizable to the signal-caller now that he is in New England.

The rookie QB raved about what Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels has been able to accomplish, per NESN.com's Zack Cox.

"I think he's obviously a great offensive play-caller," Jones said. "He tailors it to the quarterback, and he does a great job of preparing everybody, it seems like. I just really enjoyed watching New England on tape when I was in this [draft] process because they do it right."

McDaniels may not have to work too hard to get the offense ready for Jones, as he can theoretically execute the same system the team used with Brady. While Jones still has a long way to go to get to Brady's level of sustained excellence, he landed in an ideal situation to maximize his talent.

Instead of running two versions of the offense this season—one for Newton as the starter and one for Jones when he eventually takes over—the Patriots should be doing their best to get Jones ready to go in Week 1.

With Jones considered by many experts to be the most pro-ready of any in this loaded class of signal-callers, he should be taking snaps with the first-team offense sooner than later.

Newton may have the strongest arm, and he is far more athletic than any other quarterback on the New England roster, including Jones, but the flaws in his game outweighed the unique qualities he brought to the table last year. 

When asked what it would take for Newton to be usurped as the team's top QB, Belichick answered, per Daniels: "I don't know. Somebody will have to play better than he does."

Given Newton's pedestrian performance last year combined with Jones' immense promise and skill set that fits with the offense that the Patriots have traditionally succeeded with, it shouldn't take long for the rookie to become the top signal-caller in New England.

If the Patriots dynasty is going to continue, it needs to make the switch to Jones as soon as possible and let him shine. 

The San Francisco 49ers, Chicago Bears and New England Patriots all addressed long-term needs at the quarterback position by drafting Trey Lance, Justin Fields and Mac Jones, respectively. 

But that doesn't mean that any will start right away. Per the DraftKings Sportsbook, all three are underdogs to start in Week 1:

It isn't a huge surprise that the three rookies aren't favored Day 1 starters. The Niners have a veteran in Jimmy Garoppolo, and coming into the draft Lance was widely considered to be a high-upside project who might need to spend some time watching and learning. 

Niners Ceo Jed York even said Wednesday he was fine with Lance sitting behind Jimmy G for a season or two (h/t Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports):

“We’ve talked about this internally. f we’re in a situation where Jimmy goes out and takes us to a Super Bowl again and has an MVP-caliber season, and does it again, there are worse dilemmas to be in. And Jimmy certainly has the ability to do that.

“Knowing it’s the most important position in sports, and it’s great to have a guy that you do believe in and has gotten you to a Super Bowl. So you don’t have to put the weight of the world on a rookie, whoever it was we were going to choose. And now that we know Trey is here, you don’t have to put the weight of the world on that kid’s shoulders. And he can grow into that position.”

The Bears also have a veteran in Andy Dalton they signed to a one-year, $10 million deal this offseason, so they have little need to rush Fields along. Granted, the rookie's athleticism and rushing ability would give the Bears' offense a different dynamic than Dalton can offer. 

He may not start immediately, but Fields likely will be the starter at some point in his first year. 

And then there is Jones, who will be battling veteran Cam Newton for New England's starting gig. Newton wasn't great last year, but his presence means the Pats don't have to rush Jones if he isn't ready.

You can also make a pretty strong argument that Jones will have to adjust to the downgrade in weapons going from Alabama to New England (he worked with four first-round wide receivers with the Crimson Tide in Henry Ruggs II, Jerry Jeudy, Jaylen Waddle and DeVonta Smith). With all due respect to Nelson Agholor, the Pats can't match those threats out wide.

Still, like Fields it's safe to assume Jones will see the field at some point in the 2021 season, even if it isn't in Week 1. 

For all the latest betting information and reaction, check out B/R Betting.

If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, crisis counseling and referral services can be accessed by calling 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537) (IL).
Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER (NJ/WV/PA), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (CO), 1-800-BETS OFF (IA), or call or text the TN REDLINE: 800-889-9789 (TN).

21+. NJ/PA/WV/IN/IA/CO/IL/TN only. In partnership with Meadows Racetrack & Casino. Eligibility restrictions apply. See draftkings.com/sportsbook for details.

If you read enough scouting reports on Trey Lance ahead of the 2021 NFL draft, it was a borderline consensus that the North Dakota State quarterback has plenty of upside but is unpolished and may be best served being groomed behind a veteran quarterback for a year or so. 

But the San Francisco 49ers—who have such a veteran in Jimmy Garoppolo—reportedly don't agree with that assessment. Instead, they believe Lance is the most pro-ready quarterback in this year's rookie class, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter:

San Francisco thus may enter the 2021 season with a quarterback competition between Garoppolo and Lance. Granted, the latter will have to prove he's actually ready to hit the ground running. 

Oh, and that he was worth the Niners trading three first-round picks and a third-rounder to move up to No. 3 and draft him. No pressure, kid.

New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick is reportedly invigorated by the thought of working with a young quarterback after the Pats selected Alabama's Mac Jones with the No. 15 overall pick in the 2021 NFL draft on Thursday.

NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported Friday that he gets the sense Belichick is "extremely excited" about getting to groom a rookie quarterback for a starting role for the first time since Tom Brady joined the team as a sixth-round pick in 2000:

Rapoport added that he believes the 69-year-old Belichick may never retire given how much developing a young signal-caller like Jones could energize him.

Brady left the Patriots last offseason after 20 years with the organization and signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The decision worked out well for Brady, as the Bucs beat the Kansas City Chiefs 31-9 in Super Bowl LV and Brady was named Super Bowl MVP.

The Patriots were left searching for answers, however, as they finished just 7-9, which was good for only third place in the AFC East.

With Brady no longer in the fold, the Pats failed to win the AFC East and make the playoffs for the first time since 2008, and they finished with a losing record for the first time since 2000, which was Belichick's first year on the job.

Given how much veteran quarterback Cam Newton struggled last season, it was clear entering the draft that the Patriots needed to find a young quarterback to develop and eventually take the reins.

Jones was believed to be under heavy consideration by the San Francisco 49ers with the third overall pick, but when the Niners opted for North Dakota State quarterback Trey Lance instead, it was apparent that the Pats would have a shot at landing Jones.

The Chicago Bears traded up all the way from 20th to 11th to select their quarterback of the future in Justin Fields, while the Patriots sat at No. 15 and waited for Jones to fall to them.

There are undoubtedly some question marks surrounding Jones, as he lacks the athleticism of the other top quarterbacks in the 2021 class and didn't become the full-time starting quarterback at Alabama until his final season, but it is tough to ignore his production.

In 2020, Jones completed 77.4 percent of his passes for 4,500 yards, 41 touchdowns and four interceptions, finished third in the Heisman Trophy voting and led Alabama to an undefeated record and national championship win.

Jones seems similar to Brady in many ways in that Brady wasn't highly touted for his athleticism coming out of Michigan, nor was he always the top choice to be the starter while with the Wolverines.

Brady's intelligence, feel for the game and will to win helped him become arguably the greatest quarterback of all time, however, and Belichick is undoubtedly hopeful that Jones possesses some of the same traits.

The New England Patriots were one of the most fortunate teams in the first round of the NFL draft. The club had a potential franchise quarterback land on its doorstep without having to move up the board, securing Alabama's Mac Jones with the No. 15 overall pick.

Now that Jones is with New England, he'll be tasked with returning the franchise to prominence in the post-Tom Brady era. The Pats notably struggled without the future Hall of Famer under center, getting disappointing production out of both Cam Newton and Jarrett Stidham last year. They needed a player of Jones' caliber to elevate the team.

While New England still won seven games last year, the team missed the playoffs for just the fourth time since Bill Belichick took the reins in 2000 and the first since 2008. The losing campaign—the first since Belichick's initial season with the club—clearly weighed heavily on the head coach, as he splurged in free agency to overhaul the roster.

The Patriots picked up a slew of talent on the open market, signing impact veterans such as Matt Judon, Jonnu Smith, Hunter Henry and Jalen Mills to give the roster a much-needed injection of talent. While these pickups were widely praised, the organization was still missing a legitimate weapon at the most important position on the field. The Patriots appear to have one in Jones, who will compete with Newton—who re-upped for another year in March—for the starting job in camp.

It's unclear who will earn the starting nod in Week 1, even with Belichick stating that Newton is the team's quarterback, but it's obvious that Jones will get his chance to be the guy in New England. Jones possesses the upside that a soon-to-be 32-year-old Newton lacks as he fades into the twilight of his career and a ceiling that would result in the Pats getting a bona fide star under center again.

Many were speculating that the signal-caller would go as high as No. 3 to the San Francisco 49ers, but the Crimson Tide product tumbled on draft night. It worked out for Jones, as he landed in arguably the best situation of any quarterback taken in the first round.

Not only is New England loaded with battle-tested veterans with plenty of postseason experience, it also has part of the same coaching staff in place that helped develop Brady into an all-time great. Offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels should have little trouble maximizing his new QB's abilities and should run a similar offense with Jones as he did with Brady.

The Pats got away from their aerial attack last year with Newton, rushing at a higher clip (51.28 percent) than every team besides the Baltimore Ravens. That number was significantly higher than in 2019—Brady's last season in New England—when the team dialed up passes on 59.36 percent of its offensive snaps. This change in philosophy clearly didn't work out for the team, as it averaged a meager 20.4 points per game, the sixth-fewest in the NFL and down from 26.3 the season prior.

When Jones takes over the starting role, New England can feel comfortable airing it out at will once again. He was a dominant passer during his tenure in Tuscaloosa, setting a single-season school record with 4,500 yards in 2020. He completed an absurd 77.4 percent of his throws and connected on 41 touchdowns against a mere four interceptions in 13 games. Getting back to their preferred offense will immediately make the Patriots more dangerous than they were in 2020.

Alabama head coach Nick Saban said during ESPN's broadcast that he felt Jones was a great fit in New England, stating that the Patriots use a similar system to the one that the Crimson Tide run.

Although Jones isn't much of an athlete—he finished his junior season having rushed 35 times for 14 yards and a score—and doesn't possess the prototypical size of Brady—standing at 6'3", 217 pounds compared to his predecessor's 6'4", 225-pound frame—he should still be able to make all the throws in the NFL.

His pocket presence is unmatched in this class, which allows Jones mask his lack of elite arm strength. His accuracy, decision-making and ability to make reads at the line is Brady-esque, qualities that should have fans in New England excited for the Jones era to get underway.

Before the team can start competing for Super Bowls again, however, it will need to surround Jones with some quality wideouts. New England's receiving corps leaves quite a bit to be desired, a group that includes N'Keal Harry—a first-round pick in 2019 who has had a disappointing start to his career—and a pair of free-agent signings in Kendrick Bourne and Nelson Agholor. While these players are not terrible by any means, none are the type of game-breaking playmakers who can make Jones' transition to the NFL an easy one.

The Patriots should address this issue on Day 2 of the draft. There are still plenty of great wideout prospects on the board, and scooping up someone like UNC's Dyami Brown would be a wise move if he's available when New England is back on the clock with the 14th pick in Round 2.

Brown represents an incredible complement to the team's quarterback of the future and properly developing the battery in tandem would help the Pats become a contender for years to come.

Regardless of whether the club scores a marquee wideout prospect, it will still have two quality tight ends for Jones to lean on. The team inked both Jonnu Smith and Hunter Henry in free agency, both of whom are massive upgrades over last year's options. Ryan Izzo paced the team with a paltry 13 catches for 199 yards and zero touchdowns, a far cry from the output this squad used to get from the position.

New England hasn't had a pair of tight ends this talented since it deployed Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez together nearly a decade ago. Those two were transcendent in 2011 when they combined for an incredible 169 receptions, 2,237 yards and 24 touchdowns. Although it is unlikely the Smith-Henry combination will replicate those eye-popping numbers, Jones will likely be looking their way often and leaning on the pair heavily when he gets on the field.

It's an exciting time for Patriots fans. The biggest piece of the puzzle is in place, and all that remains to be seen is how far Jones can take the club once he becomes the starter. Expectations will be lofty, but Jones is a proven winner—he went undefeated in his only full collegiate season as a starter, guiding 'Bama to a national title—who appears to be the perfect heir to Brady in New England.

Although it's happening a year later than fans may have hoped, getting a quarterback of Jones' caliber on the roster means the Patriots have a real shot at continuing their dynasty well into the future. It may not happen right away, but if Jones develops as projected, he will have New England competing for Super Bowls regularly within a few short years.

Coming off a record-setting offensive season and a national championship, Alabama made history in the 2021 NFL draft on Thursday.  

Per ESPN's Adam Schefter, the Crimson Tide are the first school to have five offensive players drafted in the first round of a single draft. 

The players selected were wide receivers Jaylen Waddle (No. 6 to the Miami Dolphins) and DeVonta Smith (No. 10 to the Philadelphia Eagles), quarterback Mac Jones (No. 15 to the New England Patriots), offensive tackle Alex Leatherwood (No. 17 to the Las Vegas Raiders) and running back Najee Harris (No. 24 to the Pittsburgh Steelers). 

Adding in the Denver Broncos' selection of cornerback Patrick Surtain II at No. 9, Alabama had a total of six players selected in the first 32 picks. 

That number ties the all-time draft record set by the University of Miami in 2004. 

The Hurricanes' 2004 class included Sean Taylor, Jonathan Vilma, Kellen Winslow II, D.J. Williams, Vernon Carey and Vince Wilfork. That group combined for 11 Pro Bowl appearances and three Super Bowl titles. 

Alabama was expected to have presence on Day 1 of the draft, but it wasn't without surprises. The Raiders' addition of Leatherwood was a surprise, as most analysts had him as a Day 2 talent.

Head coach Jon Gruden also spent the offseason getting rid of most of Las Vegas' starting offensive line from last season, so it was an area of need for the franchise. 

If NFL teams are going to bet big on one college team's offense to succeed at the next level, Alabama's 2020 group is a good way to win. The Crimson Tide averaged 48.5 points and 541.6 yards per game. Their lowest-scoring game of the season was 31 points against Notre Dame in the College Football Playoff semifinal. 

New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick told reporters that Cam Newton is the team's starting quarterback despite the Pats selecting Alabama signal-caller Mac Jones with the 15th overall selection in the 2021 NFL draft on Thursday. 

Newton is entering his 11th NFL season and second with the Patriots. He signed a one-year deal to return to New England this offseason. The 2015 NFL MVP spent his first nine years with the Carolina Panthers, who took the 2010 Heisman Trophy winner with the first overall pick in the 2011 NFL draft. Newton largely thrived in Carolina, leading the team to four playoff appearances and one NFC title. He also made three Pro Bowls.

Injuries marred the end of Newton's tenure, and Carolina parted ways with him after the 2019 season. He linked up with the Patriots and started 15 games for the Pats, completing 65.8 percent of his passes for eight touchdowns (10 interceptions) in 2020. He also rushed for 592 yards and 12 scores.

Newton has many weapons to work with this year, which he did not have at his disposal in 2020 due to injuries and ineffectiveness in the pass-catching group. The Pats notably added tight ends Hunter Henry and Jonnu Smith and wideouts Nelson Agholor and Kendrick Bourne to completely reshape an offensive that brings back receiving leader Jakobi Meyers.

It's certainly possible Newton regains his Panther form in New England next year, giving Jones time to learn under him in 2021 before presumably taking the reins down the road.