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Patriots: Matt Stafford and other QB options in FA and 2021 NFL Draft

By Scott Gorman

Jan 3, 2021; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Cam Newton (1) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the New York Jets during the third quarter at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 3, 2021; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Cam Newton (1) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the New York Jets during the third quarter at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY Sports /
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Patriots target Mac Jones. 102420 Ut Bama Gameaction /

Option #2 – Draft Alabama’s Mac Jones in 1st Round of 2021 NFL Draft

The second option includes the first look into the 2021 NFL Draft for the Patriots. The team may be in a tough spot with the 15th overall pick since most of the top options will presumably be off the board. Players such as Clemson’s Trevor Lawrence, Ohio State’s Justin Fields, BYU’s Zach Wilson, and even North Dakota State’s Trey Lance could be taken before the middle of the first round. This reality may force the Patriots to look towards the next tier of QB hopefuls.

One of those next-tier prospects is Alabama’s 2020 breakout star and National Championship-winning quarterback, Mac Jones. Jones is a player that patiently bided his time behind other Crimson Tide stars such as Tua Tagovailoa and Jalen Hurts. This season, Jones stepped out of the shadows and into the Alabama single-season record books. His 4,500 passing yards in 2020 were the most all-time for any Alabama quarterback.

This impressive campaign puts Jones solely in the mix to become the 5th or 6th QB taken in the 2021 NFL Draft. While the 15th pick may be a stretch for some, Jones is smart, accurate, and fits the prototype for a Tom Brady-Esque QB in the Patriots organization. Another factor to consider here is the relationship between Belichick and Alabama headman Nick Saban. Taking that bond into account, Jones makes a ton of sense as the New England signal-caller moving forward.

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