Patriots select North Carolina QB Drake Maye with No. 3 overall pick in 2024 NFL Draft

The revamped regime of the New England Patriots, under the leadership of head coach Jerod Mayo and scouting director Eliot Wolf, marked their first offseason by choosing a franchise quarterback.

The Patriots selected North Carolina’s Drake Maye No. 3 overall in the 2024 NFL Draft on Thursday in Detroit.

The Pats’ last foray into the first-round QB game withered in the final years of the Bill Belichick era. Mac Jones never developed beyond his rookie season and was ultimately traded to Jacksonville this offseason.

Under Maye, New England sees more promise.

At 6-foot-4 and 223 pounds, the athlete from UNC demonstrates the ideal size for his sport, coupled with impressive arm talent. The Tar Heel standout has the arm strength to throw the ball with force into any window on the field. However, he also shows an ability to adjust his throwing speed as required, proving he’s not just about strong, fast throws.

Having a strong arm to battle the harsh winters in Foxborough, where the wind is fierce and loud, is beneficial, just like the size that Maye provides.

Maye, the youngest of four boys (his older brother, Luke, bagged a men’s basketball national championship at UNC), exudes toughness that’s unmistakable in his footage. He boldly stands in the pocket against pressure, confident in his throwing ability even when facing a hit. Not only can he dodge pressure, but he also proves a formidable force in open space, skillfully securing first downs and charging through defenders. However, he also knows when to slide to avoid a major hit.

In two seasons as the starter at UNC, Maye threw for 7,929 yards with 62 touchdowns and 16 interceptions. In his first season in the driver’s seat, he completed 66.2% of 517 attempts for 4,321 yards with 38 TDs and seven INTs. His numbers dipped in 2023 after losing his top two receiving targets (Josh Downs and Antoine Green) to the NFL, but he still impressed with big plays and topped the 300-yard passing mark five times.

At 21-years-old, Maye displays fearlessness in the pocket and is known for making brave throws through tight windows- a skill greatly admired by professional scouts. His ability to move outside the pocket, combined with his impressive deep ball accuracy, make him a promising talent as he makes his transition to the NFL.

The traits that attract scouts to the big-armed prospect also cause some apprehension. His risky, gunslinger attitude can occasionally lead to problems, as he sometimes puts the ball in dangerous positions. His overconfidence in his throwing ability can also result in inaccuracies. He will need to refine his throwing action in the NFL, which can sometimes become a bit too extended.

Maye, like all newcomers, needs to work on a few areas, including accuracy and making more cautious decisions. However, his physical talent, competitive spirit, and intelligence place him in a good position to transition smoothly into professional play.

Maye joins a QB room in New England that added veteran presence Jacoby Brissett, who’s become a master at mentoring young signal-callers. Maye, like all highly drafted QBs in this age, projects as a Week 1 starter, but Brissett provides flexibility if Jerod Mayo and his staff don’t believe the rookie is ready off the bat.

The Patriots don’t boast the skill position players that other QBs drafted early in 2024 have the luxury of playing alongside. The offensive line is solid enough, and retaining tackle Mike Onwenu was vital this offseason. Tight ends Hunter Henry and Austin Hooper are fine pieces, particularly in the red zone, but at this stage of their careers, they aren’t prolific. The backfield is led by Rhamondre Stevenson, who owns three-down ability if healthy, and the addition of pass-catching back Antonio Gibson provides a checkdown option.

The wideout room, however, has major question marks. Demario Douglas led New England with 561 receiving yards last season. Kendrick Bourne is coming off an injury-plagued campaign. JuJu Smith-Schuster is a shell of his former self. The K.J. Osborn signing was a solid move, and he can be a good No. 2 target, but in four years in Minnesota, he never earned more than 655 yards in a single season. It’s a group that lacks a clear alpha at this stage.

The lack of reliable targets might initially make the transition more challenging for Maye, but the quarterback’s arm talent is strong enough to compensate for the short-term lack of surrounding playmakers.

Over time, the Patriots resolved the most pressing inquiry at the onset of the Mayo era in New England: Who was going to be the new quarterback?

Maye is that man.