As much as many fans of the NFL do not want to admit it, the New England Patriotslook to have struck gold again at quarterback, this time with Alabama’s Mac Jones. As he has commanded the team’s offense with poise in his first season, he profiles to be the winner of the league’s Rookie of the Year award at the end of the season.

While his entire skillset profiles well for what the Patriots are looking to do, there are a few select reasons why his rookie year has been so successful.

3. Doing a lot with no supporting cast

When he was the QB at Alabama, Jones was surrounded with future first-round picks at wide receiver and on the offensive line, so he was pretty much always handed the advantage right out of the gate.

But with the Patriots supporting cast on offense, Jones has been forced to work with more of what he has and not expect his receivers to be the best options on the field.

The likes of Jakobi Meyers, Kendrick Bourne, Nelson Agholor, Hunter Henry, and Jonnu Smith, among others, have been the main receiving cast members for Jones to target, while Damien Harris and Rhamondre Stevenson have commanded the fair share of carries in the rushing game.

Jones has certainly taken his lumps during the season, but he has rolled with every punch and made a lot out of nothing at times, more often than not due to no help from the rest of the offense.