Sports

Patriots wait, draft former Alabama QB Mac Jones at No. 15

BOSTON (AP) — For the first time in nearly 30 years, the New England Patriots have drafted a quarterback in the first round. The New England Patriots have selected former Alabama quarterback Mac Jones with the No. 15 pick of the NFL draft, their biggest move to date to bring in a player to possibly be a long-term replacement for Tom Brady.

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This could be their quarterback of the future. Jones is a classic pocket quarterback. He doesn’t run around much but throws a lot of touchdowns and very few interceptions. Jones becomes the first quarterback selected in the first round during Bill Belichick’s 21-year tenure in New England.

Jones, a 6′3″ junior out of Alabama, led the Crimson Tide to the national championship this past season. He is praised by many analysts for his precision, accuracy, and football smarts, but not so much for his physical stature.

>> Mac Jones’ complete bio

But based on Brady’s infamous NFL Combine picture, that shouldn’t be a sticking point for fans. Jones was coached by Nick Saban, one of Belichick’s good friends, and Belichick was at Jones’s pro-day down in Tuscaloosa. It seems like this was a match made in heaven because Jones said all along, he secretly wanted to be in New England.

“Honestly, New England just a great place,” said Jones. “You know watching in the past years they do everything right it’s all about the team, and that’s kind of what I grew up knowing, is being a good teammate and then obviously winning. It comes down to winning football games. They don’t look in the past. They look to the future, so we’ve got to focus on, you know, trying to win games and take it day by day.”

Throughout three seasons, Jones had over 6,100 passing yards, 56 touchdowns, and only seven interceptions. He was surrounded by many talented players who also drafted Thursday night.

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So where’s Cam Newton in all of this? Belichick said Newton is still their quarterback, and Jarrett Stidham and Jones will have to compete for the job. The pick also likely takes former Patriots quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo trade rumors out of the mix.

Jones will be presented with a ceremonial jersey by Robert and Jonathan Kraft at Gillette Stadium Friday afternoon.


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