Alabama quarterback Mac Jones' draft stock is on the rise. Jones has mostly been regarded as a mid to late first-round pick this April. However, ESPN's Mike Tannenbaum said Monday on “Get Up” Jones' floor could be the Carolina Panthers at the No. 8 pick.
"Mac Jones, University of Alabama, his floor is No. 8 [to the] Carolina Panthers."
—@RealTannenbaum pic.twitter.com/qgiFKAzfaB
— Get Up (@GetUpESPN) February 22, 2021
Tannenbaum said Panthers head coach Matt Rhule was enamored with Jones after the Senior Bowl, and Carolina appears to be looking for a new franchise quarterback this offseason in spite of a decent season from Teddy Bridgewater.
Even if Carolina were to trade for Deshaun Watson, however, Tannenbaum still suggested a team is likely to trade up for Jones.
This is a pretty interesting revelation, considering Jones has widely been tabbed as the fifth-best quarterback prospect in the 2021 draft.
The Jacksonville Jaguars are likely to take Trevor Lawrence No. 1 overall. It remains to be seen when and where various signal-callers will go thereafter.
The New York Jets have yet to make a choice regarding Sam Darnold's future. An aging Matt Ryan could prompt the Atlanta Falcons to take a quarterback at No. 4, but there has yet to be an indication the Falcons are intent on going that route.
In essence, it is entirely possible the Panthers have their pick of the litter at the No. 8 spot, whether that includes Zach Wilson, Justin Fields or Trey Lance.
However, Carolina and Matt Rhule seem to be angling towards Jones, who was a Heisman finalist after completing 77.4 percent of his passes for 4,500 yards and 41 touchdowns in 2020.
Jones going No. 8 overall could very well change the complexion of the draft.
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