2021 NFL Draft: 3 players New Orleans Saints need to target

Considering how the Saints decided that putting a tight end in Taysom Hill at quarterback and pretending he can actually conduct an expansive NFL passing game was a better option than letting Jameis Winston start, it’s clear that the former No. 1 overall pick won’t be the quarterback of the future in New Orleans. What’s more, New Orleans’ playoff run means that they will likely not have a high enough draft pick to pick one of the best quarterbacks in the 2021 draft. The best strategy for New Orleans, should he last until their pick would be taking Jones, who ended the season as a Heisman finalist after brilliantly stepping into Tua Tagovailoa’s role as the starter in Tuscaloosa.

Jones might not have a howitzer, but his accuracy, especially deep down the field, is astonishing, and his mobility shows that he can still make plays when the pocket breaks down. In a Payton offense that values accuracy and quick decision making above all else, Jones might actually be a more natural fit than some of the more-hyped prospects in this class.

Jones is not a perfect prospect, and his detractors will point to his subpar arm strength and production that was inflated by the best supporting cast in the country as reasons he isn’t a first-round guy. However, he looked like a perfect quarterback for Payton who could make life without Brees less stressful.