Five Washington Football Team prospects to watch in Alabama vs. Ohio State

Mac Jones doesn’t get enough appreciation when discussing potential quarterback prospects for the 2021 NFL Draft. He has proven time and time again this season that he has the skills needed to succeed at the next level, and while he may not be as flashy as Lawrence, Fields, and Wilson, he still will have a chance to be a great starting quarterback.

Jones has played well for Alabama this year and has led the team’s superb offense all year. Jones is terrific at reading the field, making the right decision, and throwing the ball accurately to his receivers. His ball placement is top-notch, especially for a quarterback with just a year-and-a-half of starting experience.

While Jones’ arm isn’t a cannon, it is still strong and on numerous occasions, he fit the ball into tight windows for Alabama this season. His mechanics are good, too, and he’s a player that just rarely makes mistakes but is still capable of making big plays with his arm.

Some want to see more off-script ability from Jones. He’s not a great athlete, so how will he fare in the NFL if he’s just a pocket passer? That question is important, especially considering the strong supporting cast he had at Alabama, but Jones still has the arm talent needed to be a successful starter. That much is clear from watching him on tape.

Jones had completed a whopping 77 percent of his passes for 4,036 yards, 36 touchdowns, and just four interceptions on the year ahead of the National Championship Game. If he can have a big game there, he should solidify himself as a first-round quarterback option.

For Washington, Jones seems likely to be available with the 19th pick. He also would be an upgrade over what they have already and would, likely, fit Scott Turner’s offense very well. Jones might not end up being their preferred quarterback option, but of the top-five passers in this class, he’s the only one that’s likely to be available on the edge of the top-20.

We’ll see which quarterbacks Washington ends up wanting in this year’s draft, but rest assured, Jones will be on their shortlist of options to consider with the 19th pick. And based on his performance this year, he should be.