Maybe no NFL draft prospect has more to prove on the Senior Bowl than Mac Jones.
So far so good.
The Alabama quarterback was one of the standouts on Day 2 of the Senior Bowl practice, and impressed Mobile observers with his accuracy and stance.
ESPN analyst Louis Riddick wrote on Twitter that Jones could not have had a better day than he did on Wednesday.
Independent draft analyst Matt Miller calls the Heisman Trophy finalist ‘very impressive’.
During full-time practice sessions, Jones gave a pass mark to LSU wide receiver Racey McMath as he rolls to the right. Later he had a perfectly placed 20-ball to Georgia’s tight end Tre ‘McKitty, who made a beautiful catch with one hand against strict cover.
Jim McBride of The Boston Globe wrote that Jones “was the most accurate passer of both teams through two days.”
That has to do with Jones’ performance this season. The former backup after 2020 fifth overall pick, Tua Tagovailoa, led the country in a completion percentage (77.4 percent) during a tremendous senior campaign, while also taking first place in passing yards (4500), first in yards per attempt ( 11.2) and the second in touchdown passes (41).
Jones is widely regarded as the fifth-best quarterback prospect in this year’s class (behind Trevor Lawrence, Zach Wilson, Justin Fields and Trey Lance) and could be a first-round pick, with many forwards linking him to the QB-needy New England Patriots. at number 15.
ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. had the Patriots – who have a long tradition of targeting Nick Saban coaches – take on Jones in his latest mockery.
However, Jones’ lack of top athletics has raised questions about his NFL ceiling, as has the loaded supporting cast with which he played national champion Crimson Tide. The wide receiver, DeVonta Smith, won the Heisman and is a projected top-10 pick. Running back Najee Harris is a talent in the first round and Alabama boasts the best offensive line in college football.
This week is an opportunity for Jones to show what he can do outside of the Bama offense. A strong performance from Senior Bowl could convince skeptical teams that he is worthy of an investment in the first round.
Five or more fullbacks have been selected in the first round only three times in NFL history (1983, 1999 and 2018). Five went into the top 20 only once (1999).
Texas A & M’s Kellen Mond, Notre Dame’s Ian Book, Sam Ehlinger of Texas, Felipe Franks of Arkansas and Jamie Newman of Georgia are the other QBs in this year’s Senior Bowl crop. All are considered middle-class prospects at best.
Florida’s Kyle Trask, who is considered the sixth position of signal caller behind Jones, was on the initial Senior Bowl roster but pulled out due to an ankle injury.
Players will take to the field on Thursday for their third and final Senior Bowl practice, with the all-star game itself scheduled for Saturday at 2:30 p.m. ET on NFL Network.
The Patriots have drawn a total of 46 Senior Bowl prospects since 2008 – averaging 3.5 a year – and signed several others as undefeated free agents.
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