With the No. 3 overall select in the 2024 NFL Draft, the New England Patriots have selected UNC’s Drake Maye.
Maye came in as the 3rd-best quarterback selection in the draft, and several teams have been making an attempt to trade up to find this probable franchise quarterback. However, it was the Patriots that won the working day.
Maye became the starter for the University of North California Tar Heels in 2022 and rattled off a staggering stat line that incorporated 4,321 yards, 38 touchdowns, and 7 interceptions. Even with a stellar season, Maye was not named a finalist for the Heisman Trophy, though he almost certainly should really have been.
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Irrespective of his not currently being named a Heisman Trophy finalist in 2022, Maye led UNC to the ACC Championship match. Regrettably, the team was routed by the Clemson Tigers 39-10. Maye completed these feats and stats irrespective of becoming sacked 40 moments in the 2022 time.
Maye would bounce again in 2023, securing 3,608 yards, 24 touchdowns, and 9 interceptions. The youthful quarterback has the prototypical dimensions for his placement, coming in at 6-foot-4 and 230 pounds. Receiving sacked 40 situations is almost nothing to scoff at, but Maye has the correct develop to choose damage and get ideal back again up.
Maye was a two-calendar year starter at UNC, meaning he is not absolutely set in his strategies. He is nonetheless lots moldable and has the suitable sort of soccer IQ to find out a new technique. He will will need to master how to examine defenses a lot more rapidly, but he has the appropriate form of escapability and ball velocity to even now make plays when in danger.
Maye may well not be as prolific on his ft as Chicago Bears QB Caleb Williams or Washington Commanders QB Jayden Daniels, but he can nevertheless run the ball when essential. On best of his passing stats in 2023, he secured 449 yards and nine touchdowns on the ground.
Really should Maye understand how to read through defensive schemes speedy, he could use that to grow to be a a great deal bigger twin menace with his legs. Then once again, his arm energy is great sufficient that he could whip the ball into limited home windows if defenders are attempting to sack him.
Once again, Maye will need to find out how to system defensive appears to be, which is his greatest downside — but that can be taught. The Patriots have desired a franchise quarterback since Tom Brady left the team for the Buccaneers. Mac Jones did not perform out but Maye could be the ideal player to uplift the franchise to AFC relevancy.
Maye may want to produce for a season, but he has the ideal measurement and arm strength that will guide to him owning an extraordinary job.
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