Patriots QB Mac Jones (ankle) is active and expected to start tonight's game against the Bears, though the team website says "several reports indicate that rookie Bailey Zappe could also take snaps." If you're using Jones in a season-long lineup, then that shouldn't change anything. But have that in mind as you weigh DFS showdown options. Even if Zappe doesn't play, any concern for Jones' recovering ankle could motivate more rushing lean for the New England offense.

Patriots QB Mac Jones completed 31 of 42 passes for 231 yards with 1 TD and INT apiece in Sunday night’s divisional loss vs. the Dolphins. He also added 25 rushing yards on 3 carries in Week 2. Though this performance didn’t do much for fantasy managers, it’s been a revelation to see how much New England is throwing the ball through two weeks of the OC Bill O’Brien era. It’s wise to keep expectations low for Jones looking forward to the Patriots’ next couple of games (Week 3 @ Jets, Week 4 @ Cowboys).

Patriots QB Mac Jones threw for 316 yards and 3 TDs on 35-of-54 passing. He hit WR Kendrick Bourne for a pair of scores and TE Hunter Henry for the other. Jones also took just 2 sacks against a Philly D that racked up 70 last season. Overall, it was an impressive outing for a pass offense that stunk in 2022. Jones looks like at least a solid superflex play for a Week 2 home date with the Dolphins. Weeks 3 and 4 look tougher on the road against the Jets and Cowboys.

The Athletic’s Chad Graff believes New England’s WRs corps “seems only marginally better than last year’s.” Graff calls DeVante Parker an “x-factor” but admits he’s “not sold yet” on Tyquan Thornton. He also questions the contract given to JuJu Smith-Schuster because of his injury history. Kendrick Bourne, meanwhile, isn’t considered a roster lock. (Yeah, it’s pretty clear why the Pats pursued DeAndre Hopkins.) We’ll monitor this unit come training camp. The chemistry between JuJu and Mac Jones is something to really focus on, as the 26-year-old missed most of the spring with a knee issue.

Chad Graff of The Athletic writes that it was a “rough spring” for the Patriots’ O-line. Graff points out struggles at OT while noting that key RG Mike Onwenu missed spring practices (ankle surgery). We're not altering projections for Mac Jones or Rhamondre Stevenson. But we’ll keep a close eye on this unit as the pads come on at training camp.

There's no QB competition in New England, according to Evan Lazar of the team's official website. "Mac Jones works hard, he's bought in, and his confidence is returning," Lazar writes. "Jones' command as a field general at the line of scrimmage is lightyears ahead of where things were last year. ... Jones is also throwing with his vintage touch and accuracy on crossers and fades (outside/slot) to generate big plays." Jones still isn't an exciting fantasy pick. He doesn't offer rushing upside, and New England's pass-catching corps is underwhelming. But being locked in as the starter at least makes Jones a fine QB3 target in superflex and best-ball drafts.