FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — New England Patriots rookie quarterback Drake Maye has started six NFL games and the results have been what many inside the organization have hoped they would be. Maybe even better.
The Patriots (3-8), who prepare for a road game against the Miami Dolphins (4-6) on Sunday, are closer to the No. 1 overall draft pick than a playoff berth but Maye has sparked hope for a brighter future.
Los Angeles Rams coach Sean McVay, for one, took note of Maye’s ascension after his team defeated the Patriots, 28-22, on Sunday.
“He looks like a stud,” McVay said. “I didn’t do too much work on him coming out [of college]. I do know a lot of people that studied him really hard, that I truly respect their opinions, and they loved what he was all about. You can just see the impact he has on his teammates. He looks like he’s going to be a special player for a long time.”
Maye played arguably his best game of the season against McVay’s team, going 30 of 40 for 282 yards, with two touchdowns and one interception. The 30 completions and 282 yards were season highs and he was particularly impressive against the blitz.
Maye became the first Patriots quarterback with 100 passing yards and a touchdown in an opening quarter since Tom Brady on Oct. 21, 2019.
On the year, Maye is completing 66.8% of his passes (ranks 15th among QBs in the NFL) for 1,236 yards with nine touchdowns and six picks. He’s added 28 rushes for 260 yards and a touchdown. One area he’s particularly excelling in is off-target percentage (9.9%, which ranks first in NFL).
McVay took note of Maye’s “ability to create off schedule” while adding: “I thought he did a great job making plays in the pocket, was patient, taking some underneath check-downs where guys were able to create. We had tighter coverages and he was able to fit the ball into tight windows.”
Playing more from the pocket is something that Maye, who two weeks ago rushed for 95 yards in a loss to the Titans, has been focused on improving.
“Just scrambling to be a passer, not taking off so early and just tucking the football,” Maye said.
Last week, the 22-year old rookie met his offensive linemen out at a local steakhouse for dinner, picking up the bill — a reflection of his evolving role as a leader. Left tackle Vederian Lowe is among those excited for what’s ahead with Maye at the helm.
“The first thing that comes to mind is arm talent. He can make all the throws. He’s very mobile as well, which he’s shown since he’s been playing,” Lowe said. “When a guy can do both things like that, it’s very hard to stop, and makes our job easier.
“Him being the same guy every single day, he’s maturing each week. You love to see it for such a young, talented guy.”
One of the Patriots’ goals for the future will be to surround Maye with more starting-caliber receivers and blockers.
“Obviously, he has a lot of talent, we see that day in and day out,” veteran tight end Hunter Henry said. “I think the growth in the offense, and just simple things like how we do the run game — there are so many little things in the offense that go a long way. He continues to grow and it’s fun to kind of continue that growth with him.”
