The New England Patriots earned a straight-A on their draft selection of Mac Jones as they landed a top 5 (or better) rookie quarterback at No. 15.
Now, this is the second time in the two years that grade has been delivered after Day one. True enough. Last year, a trade down set up the Patriots for a nice Day two. Unfortunately, they largely flunked that day’s test, absent the selection of safety Kyle Dugger who could be really good.
New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft set the tone
The keystone underlying this year’s success thus far is the football operation, of course, but an even more important factor lies elsewhere. It’s with the owner, Robert Kraft.
Mr. Kraft made it clear that he wanted the quarterback situation solidified, and the implication was early in the draft. It was. Message received, and excellent addition selected in Mac Jones.
The second “suggestion” let’s call it by Mr. Kraft was to generally have a good draft. The implications, no additional silly reaches, just selections of solid consensus type players who for once can actually play.
A repetition of the disastrous tight end selections last year in which two third-round tight ends contributed five catches total and another two top picks (one in the second and another in the third round) essentially did nothing is clearly not what Mr. Kraft is looking for.
They have a chance this year to double down on a good first day of the draft by making the right moves in the rest of the draft, especially on Day two.
Why the Mac Jones pick is an excellent one for the New England Patriots
As a fan of a dual-threat quarterback e.g. Trey Lance of North Dakota State or Justin Fields of Ohio State they would have been the preferred picks here. But at what cost? Monstrous for Lance and substantial for Fields.
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Instead, they took a bonafide top pocket passer from Alabama at their own No. 15 pick and it cost them nothing additional. Keep in mind, Jones was being looked at seriously by some observers as a possible if not likely pick by San Francisco with the third overall pick in the draft.
Let’s make one thing perfectly clear, this is no chopped liver guy they chose. If there is any disappointment from not getting a dual-threat type, be cool. This guy can play.
He’s an accurate passer, like 77.4 percent of his passes last season. The negative guys will say, well that’s because he had a pro-level offense accompanying him. Fair enough. He did.
So what is a good quarterback supposed to do with that type of talent,? Right, excel. That’s exactly what he did.
Add 41 touchdowns and only four interceptions and that’s production. Real production. Anyone who thinks Mac Jones is chopped liver is out to lunch.
His footwork in the pocket is exceptional. Accuracy, phenomenal. And quite likely, Jones may have been the choice for New England all along which makes the pick even sweeter.
What’s to do on Day two
Rounds two and three will follow today. New England has two picks at the moment on Day two, No’s. 46 and 96. So what can the New England Patriots do on Day two to keep their straight-A grade?
First, they need an offensive tackle. It ain’t a pizzazz pick but the offensive line is key to the team’s overall fortunes after the quarterback. Quarterback fixed, check. Then offensive line.
The edge here should go first to an offensive tackle over a guard, or a hybrid thereof. Two of the Patriot’s top tackles are on short-term deals, Trent Brown and Isaiah Wynn.
It behooves New England to shore up the depth with a top talent and get him ready for next season if necessary. That means in the second round. A tackle like Jackson Carman or Sam Cosmi would do nicely.
That’s a big investment but well worth the expenditure and there will likely be solid talent available when they pick at 46.
In the third round, if a big back with top talent is available even for a trade-up, then he’s well worth the price. The Patriots have been victimized by the lack of this asset and it’s time to remedy this now.
So, should the Patriots select an offensive tackle and a big back of solid talent (no huge reaches please) on Day two, they will hold that solid A grade for the entire first two days.
Hope it happens. We’ll see.