New England Patriots quarterback Mac Jones is not high on most people’s fantasy football radar, but he is relevant. He is likely to outperform his expectations and make another leap forward in his progression. There are signs of upside that he flashed during his rookie season.
As a rookie, Jones was a highly efficient passer despite playing in a conservative offense lacking elite offensive weapons or a real deep threat. He also seemed bothered by a bad knee that made him look tentative when he scrambled or moved around in the pocket. He often wore a knee brace but insisted it was for protective reasons.
At the start of the playoffs, Jones appeared fully healthy. He looked like a new man; he was agile, had a good speed burst, and was able to scramble. At the Pro Bowl, he showed off his wheels and dancing skills on a would-be 71-yard touchdown run that was ruled down early because of the no tackling rule. Regardless, his knee looked fully healthy, and his ability to scramble is something to keep an eye on. If he becomes a dual-threat, it will significantly increase his fantasy value.
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2022 Fantasy Football Outlook: Mac Jones
2021 Recap
Last season, Jones had the second-highest completion percentage (67.6%) and sixth-highest passer rating (92.5) for a rookie quarterback with at least 300 attempts in NFL history. He finished 18th in Pro Football Focus’s passing grade and 13th from a clean pocket.
In fantasy football, he was boom or bust. That made him a good tournament option in daily contests, but not the consistency you were looking for in season-long fantasy or cash game lineups.
It was a solid first season for Jones; he had 3,801 passing yards with 22 touchdowns and 13 interceptions, leading his team to the playoffs. That is an average of 223.6 passing yards with at least one touchdown per game. Not all of his interceptions were his fault, but they were still negative fantasy points. He likely will improve in that area because Bill Belichick will not stand for turnovers, nor will Jones himself. Typically, he makes good decisions and takes care of the football, so there is not much concern about turnovers.
New England was ranked 24th in passing attempts last season, with nearly 31 attempts per game. In the Red Zone, Jones tied for 13th in passing attempts, with 71. His passing attempts will likely increase now that Jones is a more experienced quarterback, and his surrounding cast will be more comfortable.
2022 Projection
Jones has good enough weapons around him and skills to make a fantasy impact. This season he will have multiple deep threats with the additions of DeVante Parker and lightning-fast rookie Tyquan Thornton. The attention they will draw should also free up others downfield.
Last season’s additions, Kendrick Bourne, Jonnu Smith, Nelson Agholor, and Hunter Henry, will now be confident in their second year. It will also help that the offense is being more simplified. Jones will also have his most reliable receiver, Jakobi Meyers, who led the team in catches last year with 83.
Considering all these factors, Jones should average at least 255 passing yards per game and throw at least 30 touchdowns on the season (1.76 per game). It should not be a surprise if one of those touchdowns is often a rushing touchdown.
Mac Jones Fantasy Football Average Draft Position
Jones currently has an average draft position of 21 for quarterbacks. He should be rostered in most leagues and could play his way into eight-man leagues as a backup.
The NFL’s fantasy website has him projected for the 18th most fantasy points on the season for quarterbacks. That puts him ahead of quarterbacks like Matt Ryan, Justin Fields, and Tua Tagovailoa, which will undoubtedly upset Tua’s fan base. However, there is an advantage to be gained by drafting Jones as a second quarterback over those more popular players.
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