Mac Jones' rookie season was a bit polarizing. On one hand, he led a strong New England Patriots offense, helped them get back to the playoffs and led all rookie quarterbacks in passing yards, completion percentage and passing touchdowns. On the other, he still posted pedestrian numbers. The fact that he was the best rookie quarterback says more about the rookie quarterback class' first-year struggles than it does about him.
The Patriots ultimately got what they needed from Jones this season but his potential is still in question. According to Pro Football Focus' Doug Kyed, one AFC team's executive said that his lack of arm strength hurts his ability to be a star.
New England got slaughtered in the Wild Card round but their future is brighter than previously thought. There is no denying that Jones had a solid rookie campaign. What remains to be seen is how much he can build off of it.
Jones' ability to command, rather than just be a part of, an offense and make New England's game plan focused on his strengths will determine if he is a franchise talent or not.
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One AFC executive isn’t quite as high on Jones’ potential.
“He’s cerebral, but his arm is weak, which will hurt him in that division in cold-weather games,” an AFC executive said about Jones.
Jones’ arm strength was a concern last spring and one of the primary reasons he fell behind Lawrence, Wilson, Lance and Fields.
“Good rookie year but needs a lot of things around him,” the exec continued.