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Let me start by saying that history has shown that despite all the effort put in by teams (and sports media analysts), it's just not that easy to predict NFL success or failure, from college performance and the NFL combine metrics. There are as many misses as hits, and it goes both ways - players that are top ranked who bomb in the NFL, and players who are lightly regarded who do very well.
All that said, I really like the acquisition of Alabama QB Mac Jones by the Patriots in the first round of this year's draft. Even if he doesn't become an enduring starter for them, they didn't overpay to get him - didn't move up to get him by trading away other draft picks. So if he's a miss, that's not going to set the franchise back much.
Moreover, he does show promise. Bright kid apparently, he had a 4.0 GPA and still got his bachelor's in 3 years, and then picked up a master's degree as well in his 4th year there. He's said to have a very good mind for football, thinks well on his feet and makes good decisions.
His last year at Alabama is where he really excelled. It was his only full year playing as a starter, and he threw for 4,500 yards, with 41 TDs and just 4 INTs, and an outstanding completion percentage of 77%. He's not supposed to be the biggest, strongest, fastest, or most athletic QB, so not a big threat with his feet, and mostly an "old-fashioned" pocket passer.
This isn't the profile that most teams are looking for. On the other hand, at first glance, it's a little bit like you'd describe Tom Brady coming out of college. I'm not saying Mac Jones will be the next Tom Brady. They are two different people, and whoever Mac Jones will be as an NFL QB remains to be seen. But, I can certainly see why the Patriots were interested.
The Pats are going to need a whole lot more than that. This is going to be a multi-year rebuilding process and I doubt they ever get back to the consistent level they had for 20 years.
The Pats are going to need a whole lot more than that. This is going to be a multi-year rebuilding process and I doubt they ever get back to the consistent level they had for 20 years.
I think this stuff is hard to predict with any certainty even one year out, let alone long term. But they did pick up a number of solid guys in free agency, they'll have some veterans coming back who opted out, Cam should be more familiar with the team, coaches and offensive system, and so I am expecting they will be better this year than last year. How much better? TBD, and of course besides the Patriots taking a big step backward, the Bills have taken a big step forward, so even if the Pats are clearly a better team this year, a playoff slot could still be elusive.
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