3 years agoNew England Patriots quarterback Mac Jones has some big shoes to fill as he begins his first season as a professional. After Tom Brady led the team to nine Super Bowls throughout his 20 years with the franchise, winning six of them, the multi-time MVP signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the 2020 offseason. To fill the void, Cam Newton, another former MVP, was brought in, although he was a shell of his former self. Heading into the 2021 campaign, it was abundantly clear that the Patriots needed not only a signal-caller capable of producing at an elite level but also someone who could tolerate the pressure of being in the shadow of arguably the greatest quarterback of all time. Nonetheless, New England selected Jones with the No. 15 overall pick during the 2021 NFL Draft, a player touted for his maturity, passing ability, and above-average decision-making capability. While Jones isn't the most athletic player on the planet, many believe he has the tools necessary to lead the franchise to prominence once again during the sure-to-be turbulent post-Brady era. With Cam Newton getting his walking papers, the rookie will get thrust into the starting gig much sooner than foreseen. Still, the 22-year-old has a better chance at being successful than most as he will have the luxury of learning from one of the best coaches ever to walk the sidelines while also possessing some potent up-and-coming weapons in his arsenal. However, Jones has a lot to prove, which will rightfully lower his ceiling in redraft formats, relegating his ADP to a late-round option, at best. Yet, his dynasty outlook is brighter than others at the position, so a first-round pick for the Alabama product is undoubtedly warranted and expected.--Dennis Clausen - RotoBaller