The New Orleans Saints are “very high” on Alabama’s Mac Jones

The New Orleans Saints do not need a quarterback, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t going to target one in the first round. With that in mind, Mac Jones has all the tools to be a great NFL player and could be the exact quarterback the Saints would want regardless of where they draft.

Some may call the Saints idiotic if their first-round pick is quarterback, and given how they gutted their roster and several impactful veterans this offseason, it would be rather shocking. Then again, if Jones falls, they may go ahead and target the future of their franchise.

The New Orleans Saints have the 28th pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, and they could use it to select Alabama quarterback Mac Jones, who they’re “very high” on.

According to CBS Sports’ Jason La Canfora, the Saints are “very high” on Jones.

"“I continue to hear the Patriots and Saints are two teams very high on Jones, and that if he did become the fifth quarterback off the board – which is where most had him spotted when the actual college football stopped being played – things could get interesting. New England could move up a few spots from 15; New Orleans has a steep climb from 28th overall, though that’s where many would have projected his sweet spot to be when his college career concluded,” La Canfora wrote."

It’s tough to envision the Saints going with a quarterback, but Jones does have several intangibles that could make him the best quarterback in the draft. It’s also tough considering Jones played with stars at almost every position during his time at Alabama.

He won’t have that same pleasure in the NFL. But, his accuracy isn’t just a coincidence or completely due to his elite receiver corps.

Jones had over a 77 percent completion rate which is rather insane. He also totaled 41 touchdowns and 4 interceptions. The numbers for Jones in his third season at Bama are just insane.

Not the most mobile quarterback, Jones would thrive behind the Saints’ dominant offensive line. But, even if taken by New Orleans, he’d likely get a year to train as Jameis Winston is expected to be the starter following training camp.

Also, as La Canfora noted, Jones will likely go ahead of No. 28. He was popularly mocked to the Saints early in the offseason, but his stock has since risen drastically. Expect Jones to be a top-20 pick despite likely being the fifth quarterback off the board.

I wouldn’t think the Saints would jump too high for Jones, but if he’s on the board after 20 picks, there’s no denying, if they’re that high on him, that they could make the leap. However, for now, other needs outweigh the potential addition of Jones.

Not adding a top-tier cornerback prospect may also be a concern if the team takes Jones in the first round.