Patriots’ Mac Jones ranks ahead of Jets’ Zach Wilson as rookie QBs prepare for Round 2

New England Patriots quarterback Mac Jones (10) winds up to pass during an NFL football practice, Wednesday, Oct. 20, 2021, in Foxborough, Mass.
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When it comes to rookie quarterbacks, there’s the New England Patriots’ Mac Jones, and then there’s everybody else. Per the Boston Globe:

Pro Football Focus ranks Jones as the top rookie quarterback, with a grade (79.7) more than 20 points higher than Zach Wilson (59.4), Trey Lance (59.0), Trevor Lawrence (56.8), Davis Mills (56.3), and Justin Fields (56.0). ... Among rookie quarterbacks this season, Jones — despite being blitzed and hit the most — is the leader in passing yards, completion percentage, touchdowns (tied with Lawrence), and quarterback rating.

Jones was the No. 15 pick overall in the 2021 NFL Draft. The Jacksonville Jaguars selected Lawrence at No. 1. Wilson went to the New York Jets at No. 2. Lance went to the San Francisco 49ers at No. 3. Fields went to the Chicago Bears at No. 11. The Houston Texans selected Mills in the third round.

Jones and Wilson will square off for a second time on Sunday. Jones took Round 1, a 25-6 Patriots win over the Jets in Week 2. In that game, Wilson struggled, throwing a season-high four interceptions.

Here’s what you need to know about the rematch, per NFL PR:

Jets

• QB ZACH WILSON (rookie) completed 19 of 32 passes (59.4 pct.) for 192 yards in Week 5. Completed 19 of 33 passes (57.6 pct.) for 210 yards in Week 2 meeting.

• RB MICHAEL CARTER (rookie) led team with 58 scrimmage yards (38 rush, 20 rec.) & had rush TD in Week 5. Aims for 3rd in row with rush TD. Had career-high 88 scrimmage yards (59 rush, 29 rec.) in Week 2 meeting. Ties for lead among rookies with 2 rush TDs this season. RB TY JOHNSON had 1st rush TD of season in Week 5. Rushed for season-high 50 yards in Week 2 meeting.

• WR COREY DAVIS had 4 catches for team-high 45 rec. yards in Week 5. Aims for 4th in row with 40+ rec. yards. Has 5+ catches in 2 of 3 road games this season. WR JAMISON CROWDER has 7+ catches in 4 of his past 5 on road vs. division. WR DENZEL MIMS has 60+ rec. yards in 2 of his past 3 vs. division. WR BRAXTON BERRIOS set season highs in catches (7) & rec. yards (73) in Week 2 meeting. •

DL QUINNEN WILLIAMS has sack in 2 of past 3. Has TFL in 3 of his past 4 vs. division. LB C.J. MOSLEY had 8 tackles & 1st FF of season in Week 5. Aims for 5th in row with 8+ tackles. Had 10 tackles & PD in Week 2 meeting. LB QUINCY WILLIAMS had 8 tackles & season-high 2 FFs in Week 5, 1 of 4 players in NFL with 2 FFs in single game this season. Has FF in 2 of past 3. Aims for 5th in row with 6+ tackles. Rookie CB BRANDIN ECHOLS led team with season-high 9 tackles & had PD in Week 5.

Patriots

• QB MAC JONES (rookie) completed 15 of 21 atts. (71.4 pct.) for 229 yards with 2 TDs for season-high 118.9 rating last week. Aims for 4th in row with 70+ comp. pct. & 95+ rating. Completed 22 of 30 atts. (73.3 pct.) for 186 yards in Week 2 meeting. Leads rookies in pass yards (1,472), comp. pct. (71.1) & rating (89.6).

• RB DAMIEN HARRIS rushed for season-high 101 yards & TD last week, 5th-career game with 100+ rush yards. Aims for 3rd in row with 50+ rush yards & rush TD. Rushed for 62 yards & TD in Week 2 meeting. Rookie RB RHAMONDRE STEVENSON rushed for 1st-career TD in Week 6.

• WR JAKOBI MEYERS had 5 catches for 44 yards last week. Has 50+ rec. yards in 3 of past 4. Aims for his 6th in row at home with 5+ catches. WR KENDRICK BOURNE had 75-yard TD catch in Week 6. Has 75+ rec. yards & rec. TD in 2 of past 3 at home. TE HUNTER HENRY aims for 4th in row with TD catch. Had 42 rec. yards in Week 2 meeting.

• LB MATTHEW JUDON had 6 tackles last week. Has sack in 4 of past 5 & 2 TFL in 3 of past 4. Had sack in Week 2 meeting & has sack in 2 of 3 career games vs. NYJ. Ranks tied-3rd in NFL with 6.5 sacks this season. LB JA’WHAUN BENTLEY led team with season-high 13 sacks & had TFL & FF in Week 6. Has 7+ tackles in 3 of past 4. Had 8 tackles, TFL & PD in Week 2 meeting. CB J.C. JACKSON had 2 INTs in Week 2 meeting. Aims for his 4th in row vs. NYJ with INT. S KYLE DUGGER had 1st-career INT last week. Aims for 4th in row with 7+ tackles.

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Mike Rosenstein may be reached at mrosenstein@njadvancemedia.com.

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