Well, that was fast.
New England Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo sparked intrigue with his recent remarks about rookie quarterback Drake Maye, noting that the No. 3 overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft has “a lot to work on.”
Echoing similar sentiments, former star NFL wide receiver Plaxico Burress voiced his apprehensions about Maye.
During an episode of FS1’s The Carton Show on Monday morning, Burress shared his concerns and suggested that the Patriots might have erred in selecting him.
“Basically what you’re saying is ‘we might have drafted the wrong guy,’” Burress said of Mayo’s comments. “‘He may not be as good as we thought he was.’”
Burress continued by expressing his lack of enthusiasm for Maye’s college statistics, particularly highlighting Maye’s tenure at the University of North Carolina within the ACC.
During the offseason, many pundits considered Maye as the undisputed second-best quarterback prospect in this year’s draft class.
Some even speculated that he could potentially contend with Caleb Williams for the No. 1 overall selection during the regular season.
As time progressed, Maye’s draft stock declined, and by the time the NFL Draft approached late last month, it became apparent that Jayden Daniels had surpassed him.
Some even questioned whether Maye was the third-best quarterback in the group.
In the 2023 season, Maye posted stats of 3,608 passing yards, 24 touchdowns, and nine interceptions, with a completion rate of 63.3%.
He also showcased his mobility with 449 rushing yards and nine rushing touchdowns.
Maye, aged 21, joined North Carolina in 2021 and assumed the starting role in 2022.
During that season, he demonstrated significant promise, amassing 4,321 passing yards, 38 touchdowns, and seven interceptions, completing 66.2% of his passes.
Additionally, he contributed 698 rushing yards and seven rushing touchdowns.
Clearly, Maye experienced a regression this past season, with concerns raised about his mechanics transitioning to the professional level.
Many voices have advocated for the Patriots to have Maye sit behind Jacoby Brissett in his rookie year, aiming to avoid a situation similar to Mac Jones’s early experiences.
Given New England’s limited proven talent at the skill positions, immediately thrusting Maye into action in Week 1 may not be conducive to his long-term development.
As the offseason unfolds, it remains to be seen how the Patriots will manage Maye.
However, it’s apparent that things haven’t started on an ideal note for Drake Maye in Foxborough.
