Drake Maye Report Card: How Patriots Rookie QB Graded In First NFL Start
Maye finished the day for the Patriots going 20-for-33 through the air for 243 with three passing touchdowns with a pair of interceptions in a fumble lost. There’s plenty to improve on, mostly regarding ball security, but Maye showed promise, which should please the Patriots for the time being.
POSITIVES
Downfield passing
Quarterbacks in the post-Tom Brady era simply never found consistency pushing the ball down the field with a vertical passing attack. It didn’t exist. Cam Newton and Mac Jones had a handful in their tenures, but New England heavily struggled to create chunk plays over the last four years.
Maye’s first touchdown pass
was a perfect ball down the sideline that led Kayshon Boutte to beat tight coverage. The Patriots don’t see those throws very often anymore, instantly presenting the spark New England hoped for when making the change at quarterback entering Week 6.
The quarterback later found capable receiver Demario Douglas for a
35-yard touchdown on a catch and run after Maye fired the pass with pressure in the pocket.
Mobility
Jones did not have any escapability during his tenure in New England that further limited his ability to spark the offense in his steep decline after a promising rookie season in 2021.
Maye stood out as a playmaker in college and
extended plays on multiple occasions on Sunday for the Patriots. He kept himself alive to get throws off and also had five carries for 38 yards.
By the way, Maye was New England’s leading rusher in the game with Rhamondre Stevenson out with a foot injury.
Involvement
The Patriots don’t exactly offer an electrifying group of skill players for Maye to turn to in efforts to make plays. The rookie still found a way to spread the ball around on Sunday, hitting eight different receivers for New England. Douglas led the way with six catches for 92 yards and a touchdown.
