NFL Scouting Report: QB Mac Jones (Alabama)

PSO’s original Scouting Reports strive to be uniquely valuable in evaluating a player’s future outlook by focusing on the four main subjects that summarize a player’s likelihood of succeeding at the next level including: Natural Physical Tools, College Game Film, proven Production, and overall Risk that each individual player presents to a team drafting him. For a full breakdown of PSO’s Scouting Reports, click here.

Bio

Pos: QB

Hometown: Jacksonville, FL

School: Alabama

Class: Redshirt Junior

DOB: 9/5/1998 (23)

Height: 6’2″ (44%)* | Weight: 217 lbs (33%)*

Hands: 9.75” * | Arms: 32.5” *

Bench: N/A | 40 Time: 4.86s (40%)

*Senior Bowl measurements

Interesting Facts

Leader in CMP (77%), YDS (4,500), and YPA (11.2); 41:4 TD-INT ratio in 2020
Just 17 career starts (4 in 2019), only 556 career ATTs
100% scoring rate on red-zone possessions (20/20)
SEC Scholar-Athlete of the Year, O’Brien, Manning, Unitas Awards, & Heisman finalist (2020)
Set Alabama record with 4,500 PASS YDS in 2020

Physical Tools

Pros

Decent-sized hands (9.75″)
Quality jumps — 32″ vertical (55th %tile), 116″ broad (76th)
Generates good velocity
Ran a surprisingly solid 4.86s 40-YD for a QB (40th)
Adequate strength to withstand hits

Cons

Far from a twitchy, elusive runner — 4.39s shuttle (39th)
Build leaves a lot to be desired
Middling raw arm strength
Average size at best (6’2″, 217 lbs)

Grade: B+

Game Film

Pros

Impeccable touch and timing on various types of throws
Consistent accuracy and velocity on shorter throws
Quickly progresses through reads, knows his outlets
Calm-yet-nimble feet within the pocket
Places throws with great anticipation
Composed and collected under pressure
Great command and execution the offense
Shows an ability to hit the deep ball
Exceptional on play-action and RPO reads

Cons

Benefitted from so many clean pockets & wide-open WRs
Power and accuracy can waver on deeper throws
Feet can get off-base, clicks heels on occasion
Doesn’t create a whole lot outside of structure (didn’t need to)

Grade: A

Production

Pros

CFP Champion, SEC Scholar-Athlete of the Year (2020)
O’Brien, Unitas, and Manning Award winner (2020)
Consensus All-American, 1st-Team All-SEC (2020)
Led CFB in CMP (77.4%, 84.2% adj.), YPA (11.2), PASS YDS (4,500)
41 PASS TDs (2nd) to just 4 INTs in 2020 (55:7 last 2 years)
78.8% CMP rate on throws under 20 yards (175/222, 18 TDs, 8 drops)
85% on throws within 10 yards (1st)
Led CFB in yardage on deep throws (1,355, 33/56, 17 TDs)
Elite PFF grading profile — 90+ overall, passing, intermediate, deep, and clean-pocket
Given an average of 2.51s to throw (T-70th)

Cons

Only 17 career starts, less than 600 ATT
Throws averaged 8.8 air yards (T-57th); 2nd-most screen yards (591)
Sacked on 11.1% of pressures (67.3 PFF grade)

Grade: A

Risk

Pros

Ridiculous numbers in his lone full season, dominated SEC comp.
Well-rounded intellectual with a high football IQ
Comfortable with a variety of reads and concepts
Displayed a thorough grasp of Steve Sarkisian’s offense
Piloted one of the most productive offenses in CFB history
Precision and anticipation, safe decision-maker
Great Senior Bowl practice but forced to sit the game (ankle)
Team didn’t miss a beat after Tua’s injury despite contrasting styles
High-level production in the biggest games (v. UGA, FLA, ND, OSU)

Cons

Athletically limited, not creative or effective off-schedule
Typically worked with open, sure-handed WRs (44 tight-window throws, only 12 drops)
Played behind CFB’s best OL (2 consecutive Joe Moore Awards)
Limited experience — 17 games of elite production
2nd-most screen yards, accuracy wavered on 20+ yard throws (33/56)

Grade: B+

Overall

Taking over for the injured Tua Tagovailoa in November of 2019, Mac Jones put forth some quality film despite their differing skillsets. Tossing 10 TDs and just 2 INTs over the final 3 games, the Tide were left out of the CFP but dominated Michigan in the Citrus Bowl, 35-16, thanks to some outstanding play from WRs Jerry Jeudy, DeVonta Smith, and RB Najee Harris.

Following a restricted offseason and the loss of his top two weapons (Jeudy, Henry Ruggs III), Jones and his still-elite WR corps developed into one of the most explosive units in CFB history, headlined by the 1st Heisman-winning WR since 1991. Though he was thrust into the starting role due to injury, the situation he found himself in was absolutely perfect. Not only did his WRs run rampant throughout every secondary, but the Tide OL also became the 1st 2x recipient of the Joe Moore Award, given to the nation’s best OL unit.

All of the pieces were in place, but Jones still had to execute. That, he did with incredible precision. Despite his lack of experience, the Florida native displayed uncanny poise, confidence, and anticipation for someone with just 154 career ATTs before September. Leading Alabama to a 13-0 record and another national title, Mac Jones can clearly perform under the proper circumstances.

He possesses the mental fortitude needed at the position, but the real question is whether his physical limitations will impact his growth at the next level. What he lacks in athletic ability, however, is more than made up for in command, accuracy, and confidence. Average arm strength and limited mobility may lower his perceived ceiling, but that shouldn’t matter if he’s protected and the offense is curated toward his strengths — namely, precision and decision-making. Give him a great system or great WRs and he can thrive by lighting teams up from the pocket (just like Matt Ryan).

Pro Comp: QB Matt Ryan (Atlanta Falcons)

Projected Round: Top-15 Pick

Prime Destinations: SF, ATL, CAR, DEN, NE, WFT, CHI, PIT, NO

OVERALL Grade: A-