Leading up to the 2021 NFL Draft, Mac Jones was one of the most-talked-about prospects as his stock surged. At times, Jones was mocked as high as No. 3 but ultimately landed at No. 15 in the first round to the New England Patriots.

For New England, it was the first time in the Bill Belichick era the team drafted a quarterback in the first round. On Thursday, Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels discussed what the club saw in Jones that made them pull the trigger with their first pick.

“Look, Mac, he’s won a lot of games in the last year-plus at Alabama,” McDaniels told reporters, per NESN. “He’s played in some big games, some pressure situations. He takes care of the football. He’s demonstrated an ability to function at a pretty high level in their system and their offense with their terminology. He competed in a league that is, I would say, is widely regarded as one of the top conferences, if not the top conference, in all of college football. To play the position of quarterback there’s not just one thing you need to do well. He certainly stood out in certain obvious ways relative to throwing the football and command and protecting the ball and not hurting his football team. A lot to look at and digest when you studied him.”

Cam Newton, who re-signed with the Patriots, is considered QB1 right now, but Jones may be able to push for the starting depending on how fast he learns McDaniels’ playbook.