MORSE: Patriots QB Drake Maye Analysis and What to Expect in Round 2 and 3
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The Draft is always the opposite of what you expected, and the 1st shocker of the night came when the New York Giants passed on a QB at #6 and took Malik Nabers, WR LSU instead. That turned the draft upside down. Then Atlanta, who decided not to sign Bill Belichick as Head Coach, then dropped the bomb by selecting QB Michael Penix from Washington. They had just signed Kirk Cousins in Free Agency, so the 24-year-old Penix, with his multiple shoulder injuries and two ACL surgeries will probably sit behind Cousins for a couple of years. Cousins was completely unaware of the Falcons’ intentions of drafting a QB at #8.
Follow this up with Denver taking Oregon QB Bo Nix at #12. Sean Payton must think he is the QB whisperer and can make Bo Nix into Drew Brees.
There were 5 players taken in the 1st round that I considered as reaches.
Ricky Persall WR Florida
Xavier Legette WR South Carolina
Xavier Worthy WR Texas
Bo Nix QB Oregon
Michael Penix QB Washington
That means 5 players dropped to the Patriots who select at #34.
This was the analysis from AJ Schulte. He broke down his Top 100 players and had Drake Maye ranked #4 overall.
STRENGTHS – NFL size and frame at 6’4, 223 pounds
Elite arm talent, can hit every imaginable window with plenty of zip
Very good accuracy to every level of the field
Very good athleticism, will threaten defenses with his legs
Very good ability to operate under pressure
Very good play on time within structure with timing
and rhythm
Very good ability out of structure
WEAKNESS – Average processing post-snap
Hero-ball over-aggressive tendency to force plays instead of taking layups or throwing the ball away
Dane Brugler of the Athletic had this to say about Drake Maye in his 2024 NFL Draft Guide “The Beast” ($$). He had Maye ranked as the #2 QB ahead of Jayden Daniels.
STRENGTHS: Built well with prototypical size and room to continue filling out … has a fluid, explosive release with above-average velocity to drive the ball and make every throw on the field … smartly alters his ball speeds and delivers with loft and touch when needed … shows a good feel for hot routes and checkdowns … still a novice in this area but has gotten better using pumps and eye manipulation … quick feet on three-step drops and when reacting to pocket pressure … tape is full of dot throws while on the move (sprints, rollouts, etc.) … agile mover to evade rushers and one of the better third-down scramblers in recent years (accounted for a combined 42 first-down carries on third and fourth downs the past two seasons) … led North Carolina in rushing in 2022 and understands when to slide and when to use his toughness to finish runs (had 56 rushes of 10-plus yards the last two seasons, second most in the FBS behind only LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels) … high school and college coaches all speak highly of his leadership role in the locker room and on the field (NFL scout: “Considering his family’s success, I expected a cocky kid, but he’s real grounded and humble. The ‘golly-gee’ stuff isn’t an act. He’ll need time before he’s ready to lead an NFL room, but he’ll get there.”) … benefits from the older brother theory — he has three highly accomplished and athletic older brothers who pushed him to be the most competitive in the family … started 26 consecutive games the past two seasons and finished with a 17-9 record as a starter … set the school records for completions (342) and passing yards (4,321) in a single season and leaves Chapel Hill ranked top five in program history in total offense (9,227), passing touchdowns (63), 300-yard passing games (12) and passing yards (8,018). WEAKNESSES: Plays with reckless tendencies and still learning the throws he should and shouldn’t make … generally, his accuracy is above average, but his arm gets juiced up and he will miss some layups … needs to reel back some bad habits in the pocket like excessive bouncing on his feet or fading away from throws … needs to take better care of the football and is guilty of panic decisions as he is being sacked, turning a bad play into a catastrophic play … of his 16 career interceptions, 12 came in the second half … responsible for 10 fumbles over the past two seasons … two of his most inconsistent performances in college came in the final two games he played (at Clemson and at NC State in 2023).
This is what Bill Belichick said on TV last night during the Pat McAfee Draft Spectacular broadcast. He was not very complimentary of Darke Maye. He si going to need a couple of years. These quotes were provided by Mass Live’s Nick O’Malley.
“Drake Maye, his footwork needs a lot of work. You can see here, he’s just all over the place, never resets his feet, never really gets in position to throw, gets stripped sack. Too much hopping around. Just step up and throw.”
“…With Maye and (Caleb) Williams, you have two guys who are really talented. … Maye was ACC Player of the Year two years ago, had less of a year this year. I think you see guys who are young, who need a lot of development.”
“…Those guys have had good, full college careers and I think they’re just ahead of these kids who have a lot of talent. But they really need a couple more years. They’re not getting that in college. They’re getting that in the NFL.”
“…He’s gonna need some work in reading defenses, reading coverages.”
“…He’s kinda quick to bail out of the pocket. He’s gonna have to hang in there a little bit longer, I think, and find those receivers.”
“…This is a kid who can make all the throws. He just needs to be more consistent.”
“…Transitioning from a college quarterback to a pro quarterback. He just needs some time and experience.”
“…I’d say too quick to scramble and get out of the pocket. Of all of the quarterbacks, he was the lowest-rated in the pocket thrower.”
Round 2 and 3 Tonight
There were lots of speculation (or should I say that NBC Sports Boston’s “On The Clock” Draft Special had lots of time to fill) that the Patriots were engaged with the San Franciso 49ers in trade negotiations for Brandon Aiyuk. SF wants a 2nd round pick for Aiyuk, but the #2 pick in the 2nd round is really like a late 1st round pick. Considering how much the Patriots will have to pay him, that high a pick is not worth it. Perhaps a trade down in the 2nd round can gather additional draft capital. They need both an X Wide Receiver, which Aiyuk fills and a starting Left Tackle. Aiyuk was the #2 rated WR by Pro Football Weekly and he turned 26 in March.
Here are some of the players that are available that the Patriots might consider in the 2nd Round at #34 and in the 3rd Round #68.
2nd Round
Adonai Mitchell WR Texas
Ladd McConkey WR Georgia
Kingsley Suamataia OT BYU
Patrick Paul OT Houston
Roger Rosengarten OT Washington
Christian Haynes G/C Connecticut
3rd Round
Kiran Amegadjie OT Yale
Blake Fisher OT Notre Dame
Jalen Polk WR Washington
Jalen McMillan WR Washington
Javon Baker WR UCF
Dominic Puni OT Kansas
Mason McCormick G/C South Dakota State
Christian Mahogany G Boston College
Strange Not Working Out with Team
Curious that Eliot Wolf didn’t mention Cole Strange when talking about the Offensive Line in his Pre-Draft press conference. Now we find out that he is not working out with the team. Is that lingering effects from his knee injury that plagued him all pre-season and knocked him out for the season late in the year. The Patriot also had BC Guard Christian Mahogany in for a visit as one of their local guys. They have also shown interest in projected late round OG CJ Hanson from Holy Cross.
Not Sold on Jake Andrews
David Andrews turns 32 before Training Camp begins. This will be his 10th and probably final year as the Patriots starting Center. The former Undrafted Free Agent has made himself into quite the player and leader on this team. However, father time always wins, and the Patriots need to find a replacement. Two players I really like are guards Christian Haynes from Connecticut and guard Nason McCormick of South Dakota State. Haynes worked out at the Senior Bowl at both Center and Guard as did McCormick at the East/West Shrine game.
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