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While reconnaissance consultant Eliot Wolf was in Columbus to represent the New England Patriots at Ohio State Pro Day, the organization sent the big guns to Alabama’s equivalent: Coach- Chief Bill Belichick and Offensive Coordinator Josh McDaniels were among those in Tuscaloosa for the second of two Pro Days hosted by the school.
Alabama still has plenty of NFL-caliber players on their draft list, but one name stands out above the rest this year: Mac Jones.
Jones may not be in the same category as the other screened QBs of the first round – Trevor Lawrence (Clemson), Justin Fields (Ohio State), Zach Wilson (BYU), Trey Lance (Dakota State of the North) – but he’s proven to be a productive player in a season and a half as a Crimson Tide starter. Since taking over from injured Tua Tagovailoa at the end of 2019, he has completed 76.2% of his throws for 5,672 yards, 54 touchdowns and four interceptions.
His impressive production over a 17-game starter streak saw him become one of the most successful quarterbacks in this year’s draft cycle. As with any prospect, however, there are still a few questions to be answered.
Two stand above it all: Will his limited athleticism become an issue in an ever-changing NFL? And, was he a product of the system and a bona fide supporting cast?
Belichick and McDaniels will try to get answers on Tuesday and have a clearer picture of the 22-year-old as the final weeks before the late April draft draw near. Of course, the Pro Day won’t make or break its draft outlook, but it does add more pieces to an increasingly complete puzzle.
The same obviously goes for the other players who train during the session. Among them is another projected first round – wide receiver DeVonta Smith – who had the following connection to Jones at one point:
Jones and Smith probably won’t play on the same team after the draft, but the question is where they will end up. The Patriots, of course, might be interested in both: they need a long-term solution at the quarterback, and also need more high-potential wide receivers despite the acquisition of Nelson Agholor and Kendrick Bourne. in free agency.
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