An Alabama quarterback projected to go 3rd in the NFL draft fell to 15th and lost $19 million in the process

• Alabama quarterback Mac Jones was once projected to be the third pick in the NFL draft.
• Jones ended up falling to the New England Patriots at 15th overall.
• According to Spotrac, his contract fell from $34 million to about $15.5 million in the process.

Alabama quarterback Mac Jones' unexpected tumble in the NFL draft proved costly.

Jones was once believed to be the San Francisco 49ers' target with the third overall pick. However, when the 49ers took North Dakota Stat's Trey Lance instead, Jones suddenly slid down draft boards.

He ended up landing with the New England Patriots at No. 15 overall - a good fit, but one that comes with a much smaller contract.

According to Spotrac, Lance will sign a four-year deal worth approximately $34 million.

Jones, however, will sign a four-year deal worth about $15.5 million.

Jones' consolation is that he still landed in a good situation.

Of course, playing in San Francisco, under Kyle Shanahan and alongside weapons like George Kittle and Deebo Samuel would have been nice.

But Jones lands in New England under far less pressure than he would have faced as the third overall pick. He'll work with an elite signal-caller in Josh McDaniels, and he may sit for a year and play behind Cam Newton. And the Patriots spent big to upgrade their offensive weapons this season, so Jones will have help if he does take snaps this season.