How Maye’s offensive situation compares to other first-round QBs originally appeared in NBC Sports Boston
The New England Patriots hope to have their next franchise quarterback in third overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, Drake Maye. Of course, some QBs are only as good as the situation around them.
The Patriots did what they could to support their young signal-caller with the rest of their draft picks. Seven of his eight selections were used on offensive players, including three pass catchers and two defensive linemen. The two wide receivers chosen, Ja’Lynn Polk and Javon Baker, have skill sets that go well together with Maye’s throwing ability on the field.
Still, New England’s offense has a lot to prove after two consecutive lackluster seasons. The receivers room lacks a true No. 1 and a giant question mark remains at the left tackle position.
These issues stand out Chris Simms and Mike Florio of NBC Sports, who weighed in on Maye’s offensive situation much worse than Caleb Williams’ No. 1 pick in Chicago and JJ McCarthy’s No. 10 pick in Minnesota.
Patriots Talk: Devin McCourty on Drake Maye’s development and what he liked about the Patriots’ draft | Listen and subscribe | Watch on youtube
“Five? I’m going to say 5. That’s about where it’s at,” Simms assessed Maye’s situation with the Patriots on a scale of 1 to 10. “There’s no one on that roster that any defense or defensive coordinator would stay up late at night. thinking, ‘Oh my God, we have to play this guy.’ There is nobody.
“Right now, I would say (running back) Rhamondre Stevenson is the most dangerous guy on the Patriots offense. position) is, you know, good, but nothing special. Same goes with the tight end situation there, so yeah, I look at it, that’s not the best supporting cast and how to start things as far as a rookie quarterback goes. .”
Florio agreed with Simms’ assessment of the Pats’ offense and gave the rookie QB situation an even lower rating.
“I think that’s right,” Florio said. “And look, these guys don’t choose where they go, but you have alternative destinations, New York and Minnesota, where the head coach is an offensive guy. guy and first-year head coach, and there’s a lot of turmoil and there’s a legacy to chase. There are places to fill.
“I think for Drake Maye and all the things he’s going to be involved in, and for Boston sports fans, they’re just going to give him a certain grace period before they really start clamoring. half, and that’s even generous, I’ll go 4. They needed a guy who could come in and play right away. They needed Jayden Daniels. They didn’t need a guy who would be parked on the bench indefinitely. They’ll hold their breath when it’s time for him to go play.”
As for McCarthy and Williams, Simms and Florio considered giving their offensive situations perfect 10s. You can hear what they had to say about the three defenders in the video below:
For what it’s worth, Maye disagree with the notion he is entering a less than ideal situation.
“I think they’re wrong,” Maye said of analysts who rate New England’s situation as one of the worst. “The defense last year held a lot of teams down, and I’m looking forward to helping in any way I can on offense, offensively. I’m looking forward to being there with the coach [Jerod] Mayo in his first year.”
Maye will compete with veteran quarterback Jacoby Brissett and perhaps third-year signal-caller Bailey Zappe for the starting QB job. The addition of Brissett, who began his NFL career with New England in 2016, should help take the pressure off Maye heading into his rookie season. If he’s not ready, coach Jerod Mayo won’t rush you into a situation it doesn’t put you in a position to succeed.
