Patriots

NFL insider thinks Drake Maye could bring ‘Josh Allen play-making traits’ to New England

Albert Breer compared the two quarterbacks and made a case for why Maye's on and off-field skills make him the No. 3 pick.

By Faith Pinnow

April 1, 2024

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The 2024 NFL Draft is just 25 days away and the Patriots are well-positioned to have their choice of top talent with the No. 3 overall pick.

In a draft class crowded with offensive talent, New England has a shot at securing their next franchise quarterback. USC’s Caleb Williams has long been speculated to go to Chicago with the No. 1 pick, with LSU’s Jayden Daniels and UNC’s Drake Maye likely slotting in at the next two picks. 

While the Patriots’ choice will be subject to who the Commanders take at No. 2, Maye should be considered the favorite according to NFL insider Albert Breer. 

“He was number one among all the quarterbacks in the interviews at the combine and you heard that over and over and over again. He crushed the interviews,” Breer said on NBC Sports Boston Sunday. “He came across as competitive with some real you-know-what to him.”

While Boston Sports Journal’s Greg A. Bedard pointed out areas of improvement for the UNC quarterback, he agreed with Breer that the Patriots should pick Maye if given the opportunity. 

“The talent is just off the charts. I am not passing on that type of talent if I believe in my coaches at all,” Bedard said. “There’s way too much to work with there to let it go.”

Should Maye find his home in New England, head coach Jerod Mayo and offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt could opt to develop him behind veteran Jacoby Brissett. The decision would allow Maye to work on his elongated motion and footwork, with the potential to develop into a quarterback that resembles the likes of Josh Allen.

Breer compared the two players on NBC Sports Boston’s Arbella Early Edition Thursday.

“He’s got Josh Allen play-making traits, he has pop in his arm. He’s a really, really, really good athlete. There’s a lot to work with there,” Breer said. 

More than their physical likeness (Allen stands at 6-foot-5 and 237 pounds compared to Maye at 6-foot-4 and 230 pounds) and ability to make deep passes, Breer pointed out that the two had similar college careers.

“Wyoming sort of peaked (in Allen’s) second-to-last year there,” Breer said. “He came back, the offense changed his last year at Wyoming, he lost a lot of teammates to the NFL. And he didn’t look as good. There was more on him, and so he was running around like a chicken with its head cut off a bunch. That’s sort of what happened with Drake Maye his last year at UNC.”

The the 21-year-old quarterback started 26 games in three seasons for North Carolina, going a combined 611-of-942 for 7,929 yards with 62 touchdowns and 16 interceptions.

The ceiling, Breer said, is high for Maye. And moreover, his athleticism and off-field qualities make him an ideal prospect.

“He seemed to be the leader of every group he was in. The intangibles with the kid are really good and I think when you combine them with talent, he gives himself the chance to get there the way Josh Allen did,” Breer said.