QB Mac Jones lights up first day of Senior Bowl practices
By Alex Barth, 985TheSportsHub.com
While most of the top quarterback prospects stayed home this week, one is lighting things up down in Mobile Alabama at the Senior Bowl. Mac Jones, just a few weeks removed from winning the National Championship, elected to take part in the showcase this week and is the only expected-first-round quarterback to do so.
He’s making the most of the opportunity, garnering plenty of attention on the first day of practice. The highlight was a pinpoint throw to Georgia tight end Tre’ McKitty in full team drills.
Mac Jones with a 10 cent throw
— PFF College (@PFF_College) January 28, 2021
pic.twitter.com/gs6oIrA7Rz
Here’s the same throw from two more angles.
Pretty nice throw here from Mac Jones. That’s his game. Accuracy. Anticipation. https://t.co/zw9u1QaXiH
— Phil Perry (@PhilAPerry) January 27, 2021
Mac Jones drops a late-practice dime to Georgia TE Tre’ McKitty. #SeniorBowl pic.twitter.com/a2ZqewBw4L
— Jim McBride (@globejimmcbride) January 27, 2021
Accuracy and ball placement are two of the strongest elements of Jones’ game, and were on display throughout Wednesday’s practice. They also happen to be two of the top traits the Patriots look for in a quarterback. That throw likely drew some attention down in Foxborough.
One of the biggest knocks on Jones has been his mobility. While that’s pretty much accurate, he did give scouts something to think about on his first touchdown pass of the day, which came on the run.
https://twitter.com/RespectDaBeard1/status/1354530634752958467?s=20
.@AlabamaFTBL QB @MacJones_10 to @LSUfootball WR @ohrae17_ for a touchdown at the @seniorbowl. pic.twitter.com/J6eiilktVg
— Jim Wyatt (@jwyattsports) January 27, 2021
Here’s one more throw from Jones, coming on an RPO slant. His football IQ and ability to read the field are going to be major selling points during the draft process, so he needs to be able to make the mental plays such as this one, as simple of an example as it may be.
https://twitter.com/BillyM_91/status/1354243947418316803
Normally, strong performances in all-star showcases are tampered down with a narrative of “he’s throwing to the best possible receivers, of course he’s going to look good.” However, Jones represents a unique case in that he’s probably taking a step back this week, after throwing to the Heisman winner and as many as three potential first-round picks during the season. If anything, he can work this week to disprove the narrative that his success was solely the result of the talent around him.
Jones was recently mocked to the Patriots at 15th overall by NFL Draft guru Mel Kiper. While Wednesday was just one day of practice, there was a lot for Patriots fans – or fans of any team needing a quarterback – to like from Jones’ performance.
Click here for 98.5 The Sports Hub’s complete coverage of the Patriots.
Alex Barth is a writer and digital producer for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Thoughts? Comments? Questions? Looking for a podcast guest? Let him know on Twitter @RealAlexBarth or via email at Alexander.Barth@bbgi.com.
