Ranking the Patriots Last 10 First-Round Picks, Worst to Best
By Ryan Bunton
5. Mac Jones
Many might feel that this is too high on the list for Mac Jones, but every discussion about Mac Jones' time in New England should include the context of the environment that the Patriots (and Bill Belichick specifically) placed him in. And hey, say what you want, but Mac Jones is still the only player to quarterback New England to a playoff appearance since Tom Brady's departure.
When a franchise takes a quarterback in the first round and he is gone from the organization after three seasons, that is usually clear-cut bust material. Jones undoubtedly deserves the bust label, but the context is so important in any assessment of him. While most franchises intentionally go above and beyond to put their young signal caller in a position to succeed, Belichick did quite the opposite. Belichick gave Jones a defensive coordinator as an offensive coordinator, let his favorite target Jakobi Meyers walk in free agency, assembled a turnstile offensive line, and failed to provide any public support for Jones with Bailey Zappe nipping at his heels.
After three seasons with the Patriots, Jones was traded to the Jacksonville Jaguars on March 14 in exchange for a sixth round pick. Similarly to Harry, New England received a shockingly low return on investment from drafting Jones.