By Stephen Ur –
With the third pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, the New England Patriots have selected University of North Carolina quarterback Drake Maye. Maye joins Bailey Zappe, who the Patriots selected in the fourth round (153rd overall) in the 2022 NFL Draft, and Jacoby Brissett in the Patriots quarterback room.
Maye is a versatile quarterback, like his UNC successor Sam Howell, who was drafted by the Washington Commanders a couple years ago, and the Patriots will hope he will be able to lead an offense led by a new head coach in Jerod Mayo.
After a strong season during his junior campaign in 2022 in which he threw for 4,321 yards and 38 touchdowns to just seven interceptions, his numbers dipped just slightly in 2023. He passed for 3,608 yards and 24 touchdowns to nine interceptions.
His numbers on the ground also dipped as he went from 698 yards to 449. He did rush for two more touchdowns in 2023 (9) than he did in 2022 (7).
NFL rookie minicamps are still a ways away, so it will be a while until we see Drake Maye in a Patriots uniform and if he will be competing for either the backup quarterback job or even the starting quarterback job.
The 2024 NFL Draft will continue tomorrow night from Detroit, MI at 7 p.m. ET with the second and third rounds. New England has the 34th and 68th pick tomorrow night.
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