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Drake Maye Dynasty Outlook

New England Patriots rookie quarterback Drake Maye may need to work out fundamental flaws before getting his first NFL shot.
Sit Rookie QB

In the weeks leading up to the 2024 NFL Draft, the New England Patriots were rumored to pursue deals to trade down from their No. 3 overall slot. Ultimately, they decided to stay put and draft North Carolina quarterback Drake Maye.  

Warts and all.  

The Patriots’ regime targeted Maye for his obvious assets: arm strength, size, and speed, all traits that could be utilized in dynasty leagues long-term.  

Short-term?  

The Patriots appear to be showing patience with the rookie throughout offseason workouts. During the mandatory minicamp in early July, Maye mostly ran drills with the No. 2 unit, behind nine-year veteran Jacoby Brissett.  

In the early going, the Patriots seem willing to give Maye ample time to grow into the “QB of the future” role.  

Drake Maye Dynasty Outlook

Drake Maye Must Overcome Fundamental Inconsistencies   

Among the fundamental concerns the Patriots’ offensive staff has listed, Maye has displayed a lack of proper throwing mechanics, leading to inconsistent accuracy. His college film also displayed evidence of the slow processing of secondary receivers on plays.  

The Patriots, who last season ranked No. 30 in yards per game (276.2), remain serious in improving their offensive attack. Seven of their eight draft picks were for offensive players, including sixth-round quarterback Joe Milton III.  

Entering the draft, the Patriots’ skill-position rank was among the league’s worst.  

For the Patriots’ quarterbacks to help lift the franchise from its current rebuild without long-time coach Bill Belichick, the offense needed playmaking potential on the perimeter. So they selected two wide receivers in the opening 110 picks of the Detroit draft, Ja’Lynn Polk (second round) and Javon Baker (fourth).  

Long-term, Polk and Baker, along with seventh-round tight end/fullback hybrid Jaheim Bell, are projected to inject the Patriots’ attack with a jolt.  

Will Maye benefit short term?  

There may be too many issues with Maye’s fundamentals.  

Is Maye’s NFL Baptism Under Fire Missing Spark?

Maye’s sharp ability to read a defense and create off-script plays has drawn comparisons to Los Angeles Chargers’ Justin Herbert. The high praise was generated by Maye earning ACC Player of the Year honors as a redshirt freshman.  

As a two-year starter at UNC, Maye finished with 8,018 yards, 63 touchdown passes and a 154.1 passer rating. At 6-foot-5, 220 pounds, he possesses the prototypical size and tools to develop into a franchise signal caller.  

If he continues to refine his throwing mechanics, improve his footwork and not lose focus on certain plays. He also tends to favor a play’s primary target too long while in the pocket, leading to unforced errors.  

A former standout basketball player at Myers Park (N.C.) High, Maye’s athleticism allows him to improvise on broken plays. With the Tar Heels, he compiled 1,209 rushing yards and 16 TDs. Most pre-draft analysts, however, did not predict Maye would evolve into a Josh Allen-type scrambler.  

With Brissett in line to get the Week 1 start at the Cincinnati Bengals on Sept. 8, the short-term dynasty value for Maye likely will begin low.   

Long-term?  

Just listen to what Maye’s family thinks. 

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Main Photo: Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports

Jeff Hawkins

Jeff Hawkins

Jeff Hawkins is a two-time APSE award-winning sports writer with four decades of print and digital media experience. A freelancer since 2006, Hawkins spent his early career as a reporter/editor for various newspapers in Michigan, North Carolina, Florida, Upstate New York and Illinois.

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