NFL Exec on Critics of Mac Jones: 'Nobody' Spoke About Burrow Being '1-Year Guy'

A team executive defended Mac Jones as a prospect by comparing the Alabama product to Joe Burrow coming out of college.

"The drawbacks may be thinking he's a one-year guy, and there are the arguments on the talent around him. But nobody made those comments on [Joe] Burrow, right?" the NFC executive told Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated. "I love Burrow, but he had a lot of good players around him."

The same executive also countered doubters regarding the physical skill set, saying, "He has a stronger arm than people think, he's better athlete than people think."

Bleacher Report's NFL Scouting Department rates Jones as the most accurate quarterback in the class but just the fifth-best at the position.

On paper, Jones does have a similar profile to Burrow, who became the No. 1 pick in the 2020 NFL draft.

Both quarterbacks were overlooked as prospects until breakout seasons in which they led their SEC teams to undefeated records and national championships.

Burrow had 18 total passing touchdowns across three seasons with Ohio State and LSU before throwing 60 in his Heisman Trophy-winning campaign in 2019. Jones had 15 in his first two years mostly as a backup before recording 41 for the Crimson Tide in 2020.

Both also had plenty of talent surrounding them, with LSU tying the record with 14 players selected in the 2020 draft. Burrow threw most of his passes to Justin Jefferson, a first-round pick last year, and Ja'Marr Chase, a projected high pick in 2021.

Jones had similarly elite pass-catchers in DeVonta Smith and Jaylen Waddle in 2020, as well as Jerry Jeudy and Henry Ruggs III during the 2019 season.

It's too early to tell if Burrow will be a success in the NFL, but his hype as a prospect could at least remove some questions surrounding Jones.