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Yes, Drake Maye could be a part of the NFL’s future.
While Caleb Williams and Jayden Daniels have justified their picks as No. 1 and No. 2 in the 2024 NFL draft, Carolina’s golden boy got his chance with the cautiously optimistic worst team in the AFC.
Maye went third in the draft after two sterling seasons as a Tar Heel, but going to a franchise that had tanked since Tom Brady left brought all kinds of opinions from the sports media and blogospheres. Finally, with ex-NC State quarterback Jacoby Brissett proving he was a career back-up, Maye finally got an opportunity.
He started for the New England Patriots Sunday, and while they lost their fifth game in six this season Pats fans have a lot to compare him to. Brady, their two-decade icon, threw exactly six passes as a rookie after being drafted in the sixth round, the 199th pick.
Tom Terrific, by the way, took over the next season and led the Pats to the first of six Super Bowl championships. He is living proof that a younger quarterback when he turned pro after only playing two years of college ball compared to Brady’s four at Michigan can become very good, if not great. And the packed stadium in Foxboro was there with cheers and signs for Maye and, I imagine, left with dreams of more glory days ahead.
He threw three touchdown passes compared to two for Brissett in five games, and the team scored more points than it had so far this season in the 41-21 loss to the very good Houston Texans with second-year QB C.J. Stroud from Ohio State, who also had three TD throws.
Overall, Maye’s numbers were comparable, as both completed 20 passes and threw an interception that was their fault. Maye was clearly a better runner, escaping pressure for 38 yards, while taking several big pro football hits and coming back to play some more.
To start his career, Drake is probably more comparable in size and arm strength to Trevor Lawrence, the Clemson star and first pick in the 2021 draft by the Jacksonville Jaguars who were about as bad as Maye’s new team.
Lawrence started all 17 games as a rookie for the 3-14 Jags, threw 12 touchdown passes and 17 interceptions and was criticized roundly as not ready to be a prime player. His passing stats improved to 63 percent, 25 TDs and 8 picks his second year when the Jags went 9-8 and won their first playoff game.
Coincidentally, the Patriots and Jaguars play this Sunday in London at 9 am our time. Surely, Mack Brown will gather his still hurting program together to watch their old mate at the football center.
Maye has already been on their sideline once this season, and the Tar Heels will have his back from across the pond.
NOTE: Maye is first NFL QB in 75 years to throw 3 TDs and lead his team in rushing in first start.
Featured image via AP Photo/Charles Krupa.
Art Chansky is a veteran journalist who has written ten books, including best-sellers “Game Changers,” “Blue Bloods,” and “The Dean’s List.” He has contributed to WCHL for decades, having made his first appearance as a student in 1971. His “Sports Notebook” commentary airs daily on the 97.9 The Hill WCHL and his “Art’s Angle” opinion column runs weekly on Chapelboro.Chapelboro.com does not charge subscription fees, and you can directly support our efforts in local journalism here. Want more of what you see on Chapelboro? Let us bring free local news and community information to you by signing up for our newsletter.
