The New England Patriots regularly drafted quarterbacks even when Tom Brady was still around, but they never invested a first-round pick at the position since head coach Bill Belichick’s arrival in 2000. With Brady now gone and Belichick’s team coming off a 7-9 season that saw some disappointing quarterback play, the approach changed: New England selected Mac Jones with the 15th overall pick on Day 1 of last week’s draft.
An intriguing prospect seemingly tailor-made for the Patriots offense, Jones is the new face of the franchise. Whether or not he will start as soon as his rookie season remains to be seen, but he will certainly be handed the reins at one point.