The Cam Newton experiment seemed promising for the New England Patriots but it didn't turn out quite well for them in the 2020 season. After several months, Bill Belichick finally found his quarterback of the future as the team took Alabama talent Mac Jones with their 15th overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft.
Being selected by a historic franchise like the Patriots will surely put high expectations on the 22-year-old rookie to perform well next season. As the team's new starting quarterback, Jones will have to exert more effort in order to successfully lead New England back to its winning ways moving forward.
Here are four bold predictions for the first year gunslinger in 2021:
4. Mac Jones will exceed 4,000 passing yards in his rookie season.
After being announced as a full-time starter for Week 1, Jones will no longer have to spend time sitting on the bench behind Newton. His immediate start will definitely help him kickstart his pro career and allow him to garner significant statistics right from the get-go.
Last season, Jones used to make plays and throw long balls to his running mates in Devonta Smith and Najee Harris back with the Crimson Tide. A year later, the quarterback now finds himself in a similar situation wherein he will have a multitude of weapons available at his disposal with the Patriots.
Certainly enough, it is safe to say that Jones is already used to distributing the ball all over the field and he will try to translate the same playing style to the big league. Patriots wide receivers Kendrick Bourne and Nelson Agholor along with tight end Hunter Henry will certainly play a role in Jones' bid to exceed the 4,000-yard mark next season.
3. He will lead all rookie quarterbacks in touchdown passes.
Mac Jones may not be the most talented out of the top five quarterbacks of the 2021 NFL Draft but he might have landed to the most loaded team out of all of them. Having multiple options on the field will definitely play a huge role in his development as a playmaker in the league.
As a full-time starter for the Patriots, he will now lead their offensive attack and ensure that his teammates get to find the endzone and put up points across the board. With that, his potential to lead all rookie quarterbacks in touchdown passes by the end of the season is definitely not a reach, given the number of options that he has in New England.
2. Mac Jones will bring the Patriots back to a winning record by the end of their campaign.
The Patriots' 2020 season was a year to forget as they ended their longstanding reign at the top of the AFC East. Their dismal 7-9 record also caused them to miss the playoffs for the first time since the 2008 season.
After a busy offseason, they have a new opportunity to turn things around with the arrival of a promising talent like Jones. If he manages to show out in his rookie campaign, then he can eventually lift the team as a whole as its new QB1. Aside from him, a bunch of new faces on both ends of the floor are also expected to contribute to their winning cause for next season.
With a new dynamic, the Patriots are poised to bounce back and carve a winning record this time around. Doing so will allow them to return to the postseason but it will ultimately rely on Jones' ability to perform and live up to the expectations moving forward.
1. He will be a contender for the 2021 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year award.
Mac Jones may not get it right immediately but he will definitely have numerous opportunities to prove his capabilities on the field. If he manages to maximize his chances then there is no doubt that he is in a great spot to make a name for himself, given the level of talent that he has around him.
His arrival to a stacked team like the Patriots will definitely help his individual cause as he can notch significant numbers and eventually vie for the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year award. Jones' potentially earning it by the end of the season will not only help his career but will also prove that he is indeed capable of thriving as a QB1 in the league for a long time.
Follow Us
Subscribe