Mac Jones may have been the fifth and final quarterback selected in the first round of the 2021 NFL draft, but he would have ranked more favorably in this year’s class. He’d be the No. 1 quarterback, had he waited a year and entered the draft in 2022, according to ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper.
That’s a testament to the impressive drafts prospects of Jones — and the other quarterbacks in his class. But it’s also a bit of a poor reflection of this year’s class, with Liberty’s Malik Willis, Cincinnati’s Desmond Ridder and Pitt’s Kenny Pickett projected to go in the top two rounds.
“Mac probably would have edged all the quarterbacks out,” Kiper told reporters on a conference call on Thursday. “Knowing what we know now, he’d be No. 1.”
If Mac Jones was in this year's QB class, ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. said he'd be right at the top.
"Mac probably would have edged all the quarterbacks out," Kiper says. "Knowing what we know now, he'd be No. 1."
— Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) April 14, 2022
Jones had the best rookie season among all the quarterbacks in his class. He led the Patriots to a 10-7 record and had 3,801 passing yards, 22 touchdowns and 13 interceptions with a 67.6 completion percentage. Jones’ biggest questions coming into the NFL were his arm strength and mobility. But his biggest strengths as a quick processor and passer led him to a solid — though not spectacular — rookie season and into the playoffs.
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