Mac Jones

The New England Patriots are looking to turn the page on Mac Jones experience. With a new coaching staff in place for Patriots, it’s time for a fresh start, especially at quarterback. Since being drafted 15th overall in the 2021 NFL Draft, Jones has failed to live up to expectations.

After winning numerous awards in his final season at Alabama, Jones showed flashes in his rookie season. He threw for 3,801 yards, 22 touchdowns, and 13 interceptions. Since then, Jones has had a steady decline in production which led to him being benched once and for all during last season.

With Jones still under his rookie contract, the Patriots will have some leverage in trading Jones and his affordable salary to inquiring teams. The Patriots will definitely not be able to get a first rounder, but at least he will be trade-able. Where ever Jones lands, he will surely have to compete to get the starting nod behind center. There are plenty of teams that are in need of quarterback help. The Falcons, Broncos, Raiders, and Commanders just to name a few, could look into acquiring Jones at a bargain of a price.

Former Bills quarterback, Alex Van Pelt, becomes New England’s new offensive coordinator. Van Pelt has been the Browns’ offensive coordinator since 2020. Although he has held that position for the past four seasons, head coach Kevin Stefanski has been the one calling plays.

Van Pelt becomes one of the most important hires for newly named head coach Jerrod Mayo’s staff. Van Pelt should be bringing in more of a West-Coast based offensive scheme to the Patriots this Fall. During that four year stretch, Van Pelt did call one game for Cleveland in 2020, which was a Browns victory over the Steelers in the playoffs.

The Patriots currently have Bailey Zappe and Mac Jones under contract heading into the 2024 Season. Look for the Patriots to bring in a new quarterback either through free-agency or the NFL Draft. The Patriots currently hold the No. 3 overall pick which could be used to draft a new signal-caller should they fail to fill in the position via free-agency.

Jerod Mayo sent the fantasy community ablaze with his latest quote that strongly insinuates the Patriots will be drafting a Quarterback with their 3rd overall pick. While there were some speculations that the Patriots may be targeting Marvin Harrison Jr., Quarterback is a clear position of weakness for the Patriots.

Mac Jones has steadily declined in his three years at Quarterback for the Patriots, throwing less touchdowns and scoring less fantasy points each season. It’s clear there is an opportunity to upgrade the position, and there are three Quarterbacks in the draft that project as top 10 picks: Caleb Williams, Drake Maye, and Jayden Daniels. At this point, you have to imagine the Patriots would be happy to secure any of these three as their Quarterback of the future.

New England’s sophomore second-round wide receiver will start the season on the IR and miss at least four weeks. No details on the injury have been reported other than it’s Thornton’s shoulder and it happened sometime during the preseason. Former Panther backup QB Matt Corral will take Thornton’s spot on the 53-man roster.

Belichick drafted Thornton 50th overall in 2022, but the second-year Baylor standout has yet to make a mark in the NFL. He played in thirteen games last season but earned only 22 targets for 247 yards and 2 touchdowns. New Patriot offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach Bill O’Brien gave fantasy gamers the confidence to make Thornton a popular last-round pick, but it’s time to move on.