The Panthers are heading into the 2021 offseason looking for options at quarterback. Today, the team is meeting with free agent QB Dwayne Haskins. They’re also widely expected to pick a new potential franchise starter with their first-round selection in this year’s NFL draft. Most of that discussion has centered around the top-four prospects at the position: Clemson’s Trevor Lawrence, Ohio State’s Justin Fields, BYU’s Zach Wilson and North Dakota State’s Trey Lance. Some analysts foresee another QB possibly going to Carolina, though.
In a new 2021 mock by Pro Football Focus, the Panthers picked Alabama’s Mac Jones at No. 8. Here’s what they said about the pick.
“With Jones, the Panthers still won’t be getting a bazooka of an arm, but they will be getting a pinpoint accurate passer, a sharp decision-maker and a quarterback who has routinely displayed perfect timing and anticipation in Alabama’s offense.”
Our analysis of Jones’ game agrees – he’s not a plus athlete compared to the top four. He’s a more cerebral type of QB, not unlike Teddy Bridgewater. This is from our weekend piece on potential 2021 QBs:
“Jones possesses solid arm talent but is too one-dimensional in his play style. Being a below-average athlete, Jones uses his intelligence and strong arm to make throws all over the field. He has taken a leap in his ability to work through his progressions this year and made strides in his decision-making. Jones looks much more confident on film and it shows in the box score. However. . . He is pretty much stuck to passing from inside the pocket and does not provide much value extending plays or scrambling.”
While Jones doesn’t look as enticing as the others, he does have a connection with Matt Rhule – who – wait for it- recruited Jones at both Temple and Baylor. Nepotism has never been more popular, so we have to at least consider the possibility that Rhule will want to draft Jones.
Let’s at least take a look at his 2020 tape.
Jones vs. Florida
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0jYcBxi612k
Jones vs. Georgia
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ecl7ij3Dg0Y
Jones vs. Auburn
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r4rkonWLZ24
Jones vs. Ole Miss
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LMDJBFyeTzo
Jones vs. Mississippi State
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gwHZ4Ur5GNM
Jones vs. Texas A&M
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KxwidNAAe1U
If that’s not enough, you can catch Jones in the college football championship tonight against Ohio State at 8:00 p.m. ET on ESPN.
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