Ad Disclosure
Mel Kiper Jr. reveals his biggest concern about Mac Jones as an NFL Draft prospect
By Adam Spencer
Published:
Alabama QB Mac Jones is having a breakout season, and many have him as the current frontrunner for the Heisman Trophy.
He’s also seen his 2021 NFL Draft stock skyrocket, and is being mentioned as a potential Round 1 pick by many analysts.
However, on Saturday morning’s “SEC Nation,” ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. named his biggest concern about Jones, citing his relative lack of starting experience (via 247Sports):
“He’s spectacular. You think about 78.5%, 16 touchdowns, 2 picks. He’s got all of that talent around him, yes he does,” Kiper said. “But Jaylen Waddle is now hurt. He’s without that great receiver opposite DeVonta Smith. I think his deep-ball accuracy is phenomenal, his poise, his confidence right now directing that Alabama offense.
“Now, 6-career starts this year, 4 last year, 10 total. You want that number higher than that. He’s going to end up with 16 after this year is over. Remember Mitchell Trubisky, 13, Mark Sanchez, 16? That’s the issue. Career starts only around 16, will he go back to Alabama to try to get more of those, more experience? We’ll see.
“Now he’s in that Top 25 in terms of the big board. Sixteen career starts is going to be something people will factor in , but if he keeps lighting it up, he’s right around 80% right now. If he keeps putting up the numbers he has been putting up, I think he’s in the late-first round discussion. Maybe a little higher than that.”
Jones will face an interesting decision after the season. Will he come back to Alabama for the 2021 season, or will he enter the loaded 2021 NFL Draft QB class?
Adam is a daily fantasy sports (DFS) and sports betting expert. A 2012 graduate of the University of Missouri, Adam now covers all 16 SEC football teams. He is the director of DFS, evergreen and newsletter content across all Saturday Football brands.
