Scott Logush
Editor-in-Chief
The selection of Drake Maye with the third overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft was supposed to be a signal of hope, the light at the end of the tunnel, and the way out of darkness for the New England Patriots. Instead, Drake Maye is nowhere near enough. Maye simply can’t solve the problems that ail the New England Patriots.
This doesn’t mean Drake Maye won’t be a good quarterback, he’s shown early promise in his two full games and change with the New England Patriots. Five passing touchdowns, two interceptions, a 63.1% completion percentage, and 6.7 yards per attempt are solid numbers. The underlying numbers are fine for a rookie as well per PFF. Four big-time throws, five turnover-worthy plays, an adjusted completion percentage of 70.9%, and an average depth of target of 7.2 yards which is 31st in the league just behind Jacoby Brissett and Daniel Jones at 7.4 yards.
The problems lie beyond the guy taking the snaps. The Patriots are plagued with an offense that ranks at the bottom of the league in total yards per game with 260.9, and passing yards per game with 149.9. Their 111 rushing yards per game ranks 10th worst, and 15.5 points per game is tied with the Carolina Panthers for third worst in the league. Those problems extend beyond Maye, who led New England to 21 and 16-point performances against the Houston Texans and Jacksonville Jaguars respectively. The offensive troubles extend to an offensive line that is one of the worst in the league, and a group of pass-catchers that simply do not have a threat. No one on New England’s offense scares defenses, Maye is not going to change that.
Furthermore, their defense has continually struggled. Their total yards against and passing yards against rank 10th worst, their rush defense ranks 11th worst, and their points against per game figure ranks 12th worst. New England needs a roster overhaul, and a major one at that before Maye has any hope of turning this 2-6 ship around.
