Mac Jones: Assessing the Upsides and Downsides of a Rising NFL Quarterback
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Mac Jones burst onto the NFL scene with a remarkable debut, earning the runner-up spot for the Rookie of the Year award. The New England Patriots made a shrewd move by selecting him in 2021 with the 15th overall pick. His initial season was a clear indication of his immense potential, but we did observe a slight dip in his performance in the subsequent seasons. While his game showcases commendable qualities, the last season did bring to light areas that need attention and improvement, but also underscored his potential for growth and success.
Pros
Jones came from the outstanding Alabama program, which has grown some great players for the NFL. The 24-year-old made the playoffs in his first year, which suggested he had a great future ahead of him. A strength of Jones is his ability to remain very poised in the pocket. This skill is essential for a quarterback as it allows a play to develop and receivers to get open. He is a good decision-maker on the field, enabling him to quickly get the ball to his receivers. An ability like this is crucial because hesitation is a terrible quality to have as a quarterback. He can process the game well. Historically, younger quarterbacks need help with the speed of an NFL game. An ability to process a game allows a quarterback to make the best reads. It is important to note that the Patriots didn't have many big playmakers on their roster. Having weapons will help propel a quarterback's development massively. Tua Tagovailoa and the Miami Dolphins are prime examples of this.
Cons
As previously stated, Jones' second and third year has left many questions about his future as an NFL quarterback. Arm strength is a big part of a quarterback's role, as it could make the difference between winning and losing. Like many young quarterbacks, Jones locks on to a receiving target. Jones may miss the opportunity to throw to an open receiver as he locks in on his target. One of Jones' strengths was that he could remain poised in the pocket. However, this goes away when met with immense pressure as Jones seems to panic. Due to his build, he can't rush the ball effectively.
Jones has shown that he can be great, but he needs to fix the problems before making an impact.
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