<
        >
          EXCLUSIVE CONTENT
          Get ESPN+

          Is Alabama's Mac Jones a legit prospect for the 2021 NFL draft? Kiper & McShay debate, plus pick Pac-12 players to watch

          • Mel Kiper Jr.
            Close
            Mel Kiper Jr.
            Football analyst
              Mel Kiper has served as an NFL draft analyst for ESPN since 1984. He is a regular contributor on "SportsCenter," ESPN studio shows and ESPN Radio. He is the co-host of the First Draft podcast, and he writes regularly for ESPN+.
          • Todd McShay
            Close
            Todd McShay
            senior NFL draft analyst
              Todd McShay is a senior NFL draft analyst for ESPN, providing in-depth scouting reports on the nation's top pro prospects. He also serves as a college football field analyst on Saturdays in the fall. Todd joined ESPN in 2006 and contributes to SportsCenter, NFL Live, College Football Live and ESPN Radio. He is a Massachusetts native and was a backup quarterback at the University of Richmond. You can follow Todd on Twitter via @McShay13.
            Follow on X
          Nov 3, 2020, 11:55 AM

          Alabama is off to another tremendous start in the 2020 college football season, sitting at 6-0 after its fifth 40-plus-point outburst. The offense is loaded with playmakers, but the excellent performance by quarterback Mac Jones so far can't be overstated.

          The redshirt junior has 16 touchdown throws to just two picks, is completing 78.5% of his passes and has three games with more than 400 yards through the air. Jones is in the Heisman conversation as the leader of the country's most potent offense. But what are his pro prospects? Is there real 2021 NFL draft intrigue?

          NFL draft analysts Mel Kiper Jr. and Todd McShay break down Jones' current NFL stock and why he could be climbing draft boards if he keeps playing this well. Then they name some top prospects to watch as the Pac-12 kicks off this weekend, pick out big risers in the draft class and highlight an under-the-radar prospect to keep an eye on throughout the rest of the season. Let's start with Jones' NFL potential.

          Jump to:
          Jones' NFL future | Pac-12 prospects to watch
          Draft risers | Under-the radar players

          Evaluating Mac Jones' NFL future, and how he has improved

          Kiper: When Jones took over for the Crimson Tide after Tua Tagovailoa's injury last season, he was solid, not spectacular. He threw two interceptions in Bama's regular-season finale loss to Auburn, but he finished the season with 327 yards, three touchdown passes and no interceptions in the Citrus Bowl victory over Michigan. Still, there was some talk that Jones would struggle to keep the starting job with five-star freshman Bryce Young coming in, right, Todd?