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Mike Reiss, ESPN Employees Author
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — Within the good New England Patriots world, the choice to show to rookie quarterback Drake Maye would have waited a bit longer.
However the offense, led by veteran Jacoby Brissett, has been heading within the incorrect path after enjoying competitively the primary two video games of the season — a 16-10 win over the Cincinnati Bengals and 23-20 extra time loss to the Seattle Seahawks. From Weeks 3 to five, the Patriots averaged 8.7 offensive factors per recreation — the bottom within the NFL.
So the time for the No. 3 general draft decide is now, a source told ESPN’s Adam Schefter. First-year head coach Jerod Mayo has seemingly made the calculation that the Patriots (1-4) have the infrastructure in place to help Maye — who was at all times going to play in some unspecified time in the future this season, per workforce sources — regardless of deficiencies alongside the offensive line and huge receiver.
There may be threat in that calculation.
A part of the explanation the Patriots did not begin Maye instantly, regardless of Mayo’s view that the rookie had closed the hole on Brissett by the top of coaching camp, is the mixture of his age and faculty expertise, in response to workforce sources. Offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt mentioned earlier than the season that Maye was higher off sitting for some time. The OC reiterated that view throughout the begin of the season.
Maye was the youngest and least skilled of the NFL’s six first-round quarterbacks. He turned 22 on Aug. 30 and began 26 video games on the College of North Carolina.
No. 1 general decide Caleb Williams, who turns 23 in November, began 33 video games in faculty. No. 2 decide Jayden Daniels, who turns 24 in December, had 55 collegiate begins.
A part of the Patriots’ developmental plan for Maye was to have him study behind Brissett — the nine-year veteran who coaches and teammates have known as a consummate skilled — whereas additionally making ready the rookie to finally be the No. 1 by giving him about 30% of the first-team repetitions in follow. Mayo had acknowledged it was a novel association as a result of starters normally obtain about 95% of the repetitions.
Maye made his NFL debut on the ultimate drive of a Week 3 blowout loss to the Jets. He went 4-of-8 for 22 yards with two rushes for 12 yards and was sacked twice.
Van Pelt considered Maye’s drive as a constructing block.
“It was an amazing expertise for him to get in, particularly an evening recreation in New York,” Van Pelt mentioned after the sport. “I believed it was an amazing begin for him. Undoubtedly some issues to scrub up in his recreation, however made some throws, made some performs together with his legs. I am inspired together with his future.”
Of Maye’s footwork underneath strain, Van Pelt referred to it as “up and down.”
“There have been some issues there to right, and that is normally the case the primary time you are out for a dwell [game] — it will possibly change your ft and also you revert again,” he mentioned. “Nonetheless a piece in progress there; he’ll be capable of take it to the subsequent stage.”
How may issues look totally different with Maye beginning going ahead?
In faculty, Maye was 618-of-952 (64.9%) for 8,018 yards, with 63 touchdowns and 16 interceptions in 26 video games.
Veteran Patriots linebacker Raekwon McMillan referred to Maye as a “combination of the modern-day quarterback” due to his means to maneuver across the pocket and throw off totally different platforms. McMillan known as the 6-foot-4, 225-pound quarterback an “unbelievable athlete.” Brissett, alternatively, is extra of a conventional pocket passer.
Maye’s mobility may very well be key. From 2022 to 2023, he had 953 dashing yards on scrambles, which was the second most within the FBS, trailing solely Daniels. Over that very same span, he helped produce 23 touchdowns underneath strain, second most within the FBS behind Williams (25).
Maye could be compelled to scramble usually. Of their 1-4 begin, the Patriots’ offensive line has produced a go block win price of 41.6%, which ranks final within the NFL. In-game statisticians recorded 49 hits in opposition to Brissett, though a few of these got here with Brissett holding onto the soccer too lengthy or receivers struggling to get open.
Since ESPN started monitoring QB pressures in 2009, solely the 2022 Bears (47.3%) have allowed the next strain price via 5 video games of a season than this 12 months’s Patriots (46.8%).
Dealing with strain is one thing Maye was conversant in in two seasons at North Carolina. UNC allowed 409 pressures from 2022-23, probably the most of any FBS faculty, in response to ESPN Analysis.
Maye will likely be examined early as the primary protection he faces, the Houston Texans, is tied for fourth greatest within the NFL in go rush win price at 50%. The Jaguars (in London), Jets, Titans and Bears are subsequent on the schedule.
Mayo hinted on the change Monday by saying he believed the Patriots had solidified their offensive line, after 4 weeks of blending and matching, and likewise added a key receiver with the return of Kendrick Bourne. The Patriots had began a special offensive line in every of the primary 5 video games however seem primed to convey again the identical model for the second week in a row, with arguably their greatest blocker, Mike Onwenu, moved from proper deal with to proper guard.
Mayo acknowledged Monday it’s prone to be “a little bit bumpy” for any rookie quarterback, together with Maye.
“Our mentality is how can we develop him and get guys round him to develop, and transfer ahead from there,” he mentioned.
