Rodney Harrison breaks down why Jimmy Garoppolo, if he becomes available, would definitely be a viable long-term option for the Patriots at quarterback.
The New England Patriots need a quarterback and head coach Bill Belichick has a history of selecting Alabama players in the NFL Draft.
Could we see the Patriots target Alabama quarterback Mac Jones in the first round of the upcoming draft?
The Patriots have the No. 15 pick in the 2021 draft -- their highest Round 1 selection since they took linebacker Jerod Mayo at No. 10 overall in 2008.
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Jones, according to most expert mock drafts, should be available when the Patriots are on the clock, assuming they remain at No. 15 and don't trade the pick.
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What does Jones think of potentially being a Patriots target leading up to the draft?
“I got to meet with all 32 teams. Got to meet with the Patriots. There were some scouts there (at the Senior Bowl). Hopefully I left a good impact on them," Jones said Tuesday on NFL Network.
"I think coach Belichick and coach (Nick) Saban, like you said, have a great relationship. I hope coach Saban has good things to say about me. I assume he would,” said Jones. “One of my buddies, Damien Harris, plays up there too. I talk to him a good amount.”
Jones enjoyed a breakout 2020 season for Alabama en route to a College Football Playoff National Championship Game win over Ohio State last month. He completed 77.4 percent of his passes for 4,500 yards with 41 touchdowns and just four interceptions in 13 games.
Jones is one of five quarterbacks expected to be drafted in the first round, including Clemson's Trevor Lawrence, Ohio State's Justin Fields, BYU's Zach Wilson and North Dakota State's Trey Lance.