2021 NFL Draft spotlight: Can Mac Jones crack top half of first round?

Alabama football star quarterback Mac Jones may win the Heisman, but can the Tide signal-caller crack the top half of the 2021 NFL Draft first round?

As the regular season draws toward a close and teams prepare for Championship weekend, this is one of the last opportunities for NFL hopefuls not playing for a conference title to put on some tape. This week is a look at a pair of teammates that are going to keep opposing coordinators up a long time before they play.

It goes without saying just how good DeVonta Smith and Mac Jones are. Smith might be the best player in college football and Jones is rising up NFL draft boards every bit as quickly as Kyle Trask.  Jones and Smith have been tearing up opposing secondaries all season. This week, they play one of the worst secondaries in the SEC. Arkansas is 101st in pass yards allowed.

In the ACC, Geoff Collins and offensive coordinator Dave Patenaude have had little sleep this week attempting to figure out how to block defensive end Patrick Jones. The senior Pitt defensive end looks to eclipse the ten sack mark against the ‘Jackets. Meanwhile, the Yellow Jackets are 69th in the country in sacks allowed.

Also in the ACC, Carlos Basham and the Wake Forest Demon Deacons could have a field day against the Louisville Cardinals. Not only have Louisville’s two best offensive players –Chitarious Atwell and Javian Hawkins– both have opted out. The Cardinals are also 101st in the country in sacks allowed.

Here is a closer look at this week’s NFL Draft Spotlight

Mac Jones, Alabama, QB

There is a possibility Mac Jones could decide to come back for a senior season. However, Jones has come from nowhere to become a mid-round draft pick and climbing. The debate on Jones is whether or not the accuracy and anticipation can be duplicated at the NFL level. Something to consider about Jones coming out of high school is he was a 3-star primarily because of size (6-foot-1.5 and 180 pounds) not arm strength. Jones grew a couple of inches and put on 35 pounds. Jones is not an elite athlete, so playing behind Alabama’s offensive line is a benefit.

Jones, however, does possess an NFL-caliber arm and intelligence. Jones has a knack for knowing what the defense is attempting to scheme and either getting the ball to the right person or get the offense into the right play.

DeVonta Smith, Alabama, WR

Keyshawn Johnson was the last wide receiver to be the number one overall pick coming out of USC in 1996. If this draft did not include Justin Fields, Trevor Lawrence and Penne Sewell, Smith could push to become the number one overall pick in this draft. Smith is the total package for today’s NFL. Smith has every elite trait scouts want in a wide receiver with NFL-level speed and Chris Carter like hands. Smith is one of the most polished route runners the draft has seen. Smith won’t go number one, but it would be a shock if Smith gets past tenth.

Carlos Basham, Jr., Wake Forest, DE

Wake Forest redshirt senior Carlos Basham, Jr. is the most pro-ready defensive end not named Gregory Rousseau. Basham possesses ideal size (6-foot-5 and 290 pounds) and is athletic enough to be a solid pass rusher in a 4-3 defense and physically strong enough to hold up in a 3-4 defense. Basham is a defensive end in the mold of former New England Patriots defensive end Richard Seymour; long and athletic. Basham can get kicked in to tackle in obvious passing downs and can hold up against the run.

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