New England Patriots select Drake Maye in first round of 2024 NFL Draft
The New England Patriots have selected former North Carolina quarterback Drake Maye with the No. 3 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. Maye spent three seasons with the Tar Heels.
Despite lacking sufficient talent around him in the 2023 campaign, Maye tallied 3,608 passing yards, 24 passing touchdowns and another nine scores in the ground game. His 63 completions on throws at least 15 yards downfield ranked second in the FBS.
For his efforts, he was named an All-ACC Second Team member and a Manning Award finalist. Maye’s redshirt freshman season was even more impressive. Maye exploded onto the scene with 4,321 passing yards and 38 touchdowns, while rushing for 698 yards and seven TDs.
Maye ultimately opted to redshirt his true freshman season after only appearing in four games. Maye finished his collegiate career with 618 completions for 8,018 yards, 63 touchdowns and 18 interceptions while completing 65% of his pass attempts.
Drake Maye played high school football at Myers Park (NC), where he was a four-star prospect. He was the No. 45 overall recruit in the 2021 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.
What NFL Draft analysts are saying about Drake Maye
Insiders believe Maye’s talents could translate well to the next level. However, he certainly isn’t the perfect prospect. Maye was initially believed to be the obvious No. 2 choice in this draft class, but was eventually surpassed by Jayden Daniels in many experts’ eyes.
Despite any late shifts, NFL analyst Lance Zierlein believes Maye has high potential.
“Challenging evaluation with top-flight measurables and tools but inconsistencies that create a lower floor,” Zierlein said. “Maye’s size and arm talent jump off the tape immediately. He can make every throw, but he will try to make throws that he shouldn’t have attempted.
“The gunslinger mentality creates a fearlessness that can turn into interceptions, but it will also allow him to win in tight windows and make splash throws that get crowds (and evaluators) on their feet. He leaves too many throws on the back shoulder or hip and needs to learn when to take some sauce off the throw to make it more catchable.
“There is an undeniable energy to Maye’s game that can create momentum or turn chaotic when plays come off-schedule for him. The combination of traits and tape make him a boom/bust prospect who might need patient management and coaching to help shepherd him toward his potential.”