2021 NFL Draft stock watch: Mac Jones, Alabama prospects shine vs. Georgia

Alabama offensive talents really boosted their 2021 NFL Draft stock vs. Georgia, but none more than quarterback Mac Jones.

All eyes were on Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, as the field was full of future NFL stars. The Crimson Tide defeated the Georgia Bulldogs 41-24, led by first-round prospect DeVonta Smith. Running back, Najee Harris had the quietest 152 yards a running back could have. His heavy lifting kept Georgia’s defense honest.

Alex Leatherwood was solid at tackle, keeping quarterback Mac Jones clean most of the night. Speaking of Mac Jones, who throws a deep ball better this side of Trevor Lawrence in college football right now?

Defensively, Patrick Surtain II shadowed George Pickens, all game and rendered him ineffective. Dylan Moses was active, leading the Crimson Tide in tackles. All in all, it was a great night for Crimson Tide draft prospects.

Stock up

DeVonta Smith (1st Round) WR

If Trevor Lawrence passes the eye test from a visual (height and weight) perspective, the DeVonta Smith passes from an on the field perspective. Smith is as polished as a route-runner coming into this draft as there has been in a long time. Of last season’s foursome, including Jerry Jeudy, Henry Ruggs III and Jaylen Waddle, Smith might be the most pro-ready of the four.

Smith does not possess the raw speed of Ruggs, Jeudy or Waddle, but he is the best route-runner of the four. That is not to say Smith is not fast. There are impressive parts to Smith’s game. First, Smith can get open from any receiver position. Second, Smith’s hands are incredible. Few of his 11 receptions were cradled into his body. Many receivers have come into the NFL and run 4.4 or better but flamed out. Receivers who can get open and catch tend to have long careers. Smith is one of those receivers.

Mac Jones (2nd-3rd Round) QB

In the 2021 NFL Draft, Lawrence is the prohibitive No. 1 quarterback and overall pick. Every other quarterback slot is up for grabs. Justin Fields is the No. 2 right now, but some quarterbacks have more film than he does right now. Mac Jones is one of those quarterbacks. Jones might not be the second quarterback in the draft, but his arm talent and ball placement are not to be denied. In fact, Jones has better numbers through the first four games of his career than Hurts or Tua in Alabama.

Few quarterbacks in college football throw the deep ball better than Jones. Every throw is on time and in stride. Jones’ route anticipation is second to none. What might keep Jones from moving into the first round is a lack of elite athleticism. Not that you have to run like Lamar Jackson, but you have to be able to move. Jones slides and feels pressure well but can be a bit stationary in the pocket.

Patrick Surtain II (1st Round) DB

Surtain came into this season the lone returning starter from last season’s secondary. Usually, the leadership in the defensive backfield for Alabama comes from the safety position. Safeties like Ha’Sean Clinton-Dix, Minkah Fitzpatrick, and Xavier McKinney were great leaders in Alabama’s secondary. This season, the veteran leadership comes from Surtain at cornerback.

This season, Alabama’s secondary strength is its corners primarily because of Surtain’s coverage skills. Those skills were on full display against Georgia. Part of the reason the Bulldogs were shutout in the second half is Surtain blanketed highly-touted Bulldogs’ receiver George Pickens nearly the entire game. Surtain’s stat line (one pass defended) looks a bit bland, but so does Pickens’ stat line (5 receptions 53 yards 0 touchdowns), and that is the entire point.

Stock Down

K.J. Costello (6th-7th Round) QB

Mississippi State quarterback K.J. Costello’s stock is falling at the same rate at which Alabama quarterback Mac Jones stock is rising, which is very fast. Costello’s masterful performance against LSU seems like a season ago, not a few weeks. Costello has been benched twice in two games in favor of freshman Will Rogers.

The Bulldogs have lost three games in a row, and during that slide, Costello has thrown eight interceptions and a single touchdown. The issues in Starkville run a bit deeper than just Costello.  Mississippi State’s best player, running back Kylin Hill, has only 15 carries. Many of Mike Leach’s disciples –Lincoln Riley, Sonny Cumbie, Kliff Kingsbury, and Graham Harrell have all integrated more runs in the Air Raid. Whatever the issue is, Costello and the Bulldogs need to fix it fast.

Patrick Jones II (2nd Round) DE

In Pitt’s loss to Miami this week, Patrick Jones II did not have a poor game, but this was a game where the senior should have looked dominant. Though Miami’s offensive line has shown great improvement from last season, they are young at tackle, and Jones should have taken advantage of that. This was Jones’ most ineffective game with five total tackles and no sacks since the Panthers played Syracuse.

Jones still has every opportunity to move up the draft board, however. The Panthers have Notre Dame this weekend and close the season with Clemson. Those are the two best offensive lines they’ll play — Virginia Tech is third. Those are three prime opportunities for Jones to get off and show the country and scouts why he is one of the premier pass rushers in the country.

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