2021 NFL Draft: Cowboys, Patriots and 5 teams that should draft Alabama’s Mac Jones
By Scott Rogust
These five quarterback-needy teams should be targeting Alabama’s Mac Jones in the NFL Draft.
With the NFL regular-season wrapping up on early Monday morning, NFL teams can begin studying for the 2021 NFL Draft. While 2020 was a particularly strong class, especially at the quarterback position, 2021 could be just as good or even better.
Trevor Lawrence, Zach Wilson and Justin Fields are likely to be the first three signal-callers taken. But for those teams stuck just outside the top 10 selections can still land themself a great quarterback. Among them is Alabama’s Mac Jones, who’s a finalist for the 2020 Heisman Trophy. He’s got the arm and decision-making that teams will gawk over. We can most certainly predict that he’ll be the most interviewed prospect in the draft because he can just about land anywhere in the first round.
In particular, here are five teams that should draft Jones this April.
5. New England Patriots
Once Tom Brady left the Northeast to move down to Tampa Bay to play for the Buccaneers, many expected the New England Patriots to select a quarterback in last year’s draft. Head coach Bill Belichick and the front office opted against that and decided to take a chance on free agent quarterback Cam Newton.
The former NFL MVP hasn’t exactly worked out in New England. Yes, the Patriots have one of the worst receiving corps in the league in 2020, which we didn’t think was possible after watching the disaster that was 2019. But Newton didn’t exactly do himself many favors. Through 14 games this season, Newton completed 65.4-percent of his passes for 2,415 yards, five touchdowns and 10 interceptions. Not to mention that the supposed love affair for Jarrett Stidham never materialized in starts, which doesn’t bode well for his future.
If the Patriots are on the clock, they should absolutely call Jones’ phone to tell him he’s going to New England. Or, they’ll trade down for multiple second-round selections, like they always do.
4. Dallas Cowboys
This choice will be a bit controversial, but you can’t deny that there’s uncertainty at the quarterback position in Dallas.
The Cowboys had the opportunity to sign Dak Prescott to a long-term contract extension, but the two sides couldn’t reach an agreement before the July 15 deadline. Prescott played under the franchise tag in hopes of proving his worth next offseason. He was off to a good start, but it came to an end after dislocating his ankle in Week 5 against the New York Giants. While owner Jerry Jones and son Stephen have hinted that they want to sign Prescott to a new deal, it’s unknown if his ankle injury will affect his play in 2021.
If that’s the case, you can’t be shocked if the Jones family brings in another quarterback just in case. Given the likelihood of Lawrence, Fields and Wilson being off the board before the Cowboys are on the clock, Jones could be an option for Dallas if they want some insurance at the quarterback position.