Mac Jones

After a promising rookie campaign, Jones disappointed last season. He was even benched for Bailey Zappe at one point and also missed three games with a high-ankle sprain. Instead of progressing, Jones took a slight step back in just about every category. He finished with only 14 TD passes in 14 games, eight fewer scores than he had his rookie year. His YPA dropped by a half yard to 6.8 as his on-target percentage and completion percentage dipped as well. He went downfield at a good clip -- 13.6 percent of his attempts were 20-plus yards, sixth in the league -- but he completed only 37.9 percent and had five interceptions, fourth most. All of which makes this a big year for Jones before the Patriots decide next spring if they want to pick up his fifth-year option for 2025. The team signed WR JuJu Smith-Schuster to replace the departed Jakobi Meyers and presumably play a lot of slot snaps, while DeVante Parker and 2022 second-round pick Tyquan Thornton return at wideout. At TE, the team added pass-catching tight end Mike Gesicki to run with Hunter Henry, after trading away Jonnu Smith. It's a subpar group of weapons, but the offensive line at least looks solid and Bill O’Brien’s return to New England as offensive coordinator might be the most important change after Matt Patricia and Joe Judge made a mess of things last season. If the system improves, Jones will benefit, just probably not enough to matter in fantasy.

The 15th overall pick last year, Jones won the starting job in training camp and turned in a promising rookie season. He was the fifth QB drafted but outpaced his fellow rookies in passing yards, TD passes and completion percentage. Jones delivered as expected with his ability to read defenses and manage a game, but his lack of arm strength was apparent in his downfield passing. While he went downfield at a good clip (11.9 percent), his on-target rate was just 41.9 percent (26th) on attempts of 20-plus yards. Likewise, Jones’ lack of mobility and athleticism led to rushed mechanics vs. the blitz where he ranked 24th in on-target percentage (67.7) with the third most interceptions (five). Jones did not get much help from a lackluster wideout crew, but the Patriots traded for DeVante Parker this offseason and spent a second-round pick on Tyquan Thornton, who ran a 4.28 40 at the combine. Quality tight ends Hunter Henry and Jonnu Smith return, as does leading receiver Jakobi Meyers. Offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels is now in Las Vegas, and the Patriots, as of press time, have not announced if Joe Judge or Matt Patricia will be the new OC. Either way, the offense doesn’t figure to look drastically different, though perhaps it will give Jones more attempts than the 30.6 (21st) he averaged last year. He'll need them to improve his fantasy value, considering he offers next to nothing as a runner.

Jones was the fifth QB selected in the first round of this year's draft. He was a highly accurate passer at Alabama, setting an NCAA record for completion percentage (77.4) last season while throwing 41:4 TD:INT. Scouts laud his anticipation and ability to read defenses, but Jones' arm is below average, and he lacks mobility and athleticism. No matter, he won a summer battle against Cam Newton, prompting the Patriots to release their veteran quarterback at the end of the preseason. Jones now enters Week 1 as the starter, with Nelson Agholor, Jakobi Meyers, Hunter Henry, Jonnu Smith and James White serving as his top pass catchers.