New England Patriots quarterback Mac Jones did not win the Offensive Rookie of the Year award from the Pro Football Writers Associations. He did, however, appear on the all-rookie team along with Patriots defensive tackle Christian Barmore.
After years of spotty drafting from New England, it’s a good sign their top two draft picks — and, especially, their first-round quarterback — received these honors after their first season.
Jones finished with 3,801 passing yards, 22 touchdowns and 13 interceptions in a season when the Patriots went 10-7 and lost in the first round of the playoffs. He wasn’t exceptional, but he was steady enough — and head-and-shoulders better than the rest of the rookie quarterback class.
#Bengals WR Ja’Marrar Chase named the Offensive Rookie of the Year by the Pro Football Writers Association.
Kicker Evan McPherson makes all-rookie team. pic.twitter.com/7VKqC0V8om
— Jay Morrison (@JayMorrisonATH) January 25, 2022
Barmore finished the season with 46 tackles and 1.5 sacks. He was also second in pressures among Patriots, per Pro Football Focus. His 51 pressures were just short of what Matthew Judon logged (64). The Patriots made a special effort to get him, trading two fourth-round picks to nab him at 38th overall in the second round.
These two players may not be sure-fire stars in the making, but they’re clearly primed to be key players for New England in the years to come.
