Drake Maye May Be Ready To Start But Jacoby Brissett Remains The Starter
The Athletic's Chad Graff stated on Tuesday that conversations with New England Patriots players and head coach Jerod Mayo indicate that the team believes rookie quarterback Drake Maye is ready to be an NFL starter. However, Jacoby Brissett remains the starter in New England due to the lack of talent in the Patriots' offense. The Patriots are taking a cautious approach to protect Maye and ensure that his confidence does not falter. Ever since training camp, reports have indicated that Maye has been outplaying Brissett. As an NFL veteran, Brissett is better equipped to handle the difficult situation that is the Patriots offense. Brissett has stood no chance behind the Patriots' O-line in 2024. He has only managed to throw for 536 yards and two touchdowns. He has also been sacked 15 times in four games. Maye himself was sacked twice on one drive in limited action in Week 3. NFL fans will likely see Maye as the starter at some point in 2024, but the Patriots appear to have no interest in rushing that process.
New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye is still several weeks away from playing, barring an injury to Jacoby Brissett, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. While Maye did see the field in garbage time against the New York Jets last week, the No. 3 overall pick has not yet been ramped up to NFL speed and continues to see roughly 30 percent of snaps in practice. The Patriots evidently aren't ready to make a change at quarterback yet, which means the starting job still belongs to Brissett. The veteran has completed 61 percent of his passes for 368 yards and one touchdown so far. Despite the low offensive numbers, Patriots fans and fantasy managers in deep leagues have to be excited that he hasn't turned over the football through three weeks. On a less positive note, he's taken nine sacks between a porous offensive line.
New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye came off the bench to make his NFL debut during the fourth quarter of Thursday's game against the New York Jets. He replaced Jacoby Brissett for the final drive of the game. Brissett had not fared very well behind the Patriots' depleted offensive line, and while Maye was also pressured heavily, he did show flashes of upside, completing four passes and rushing for 12 yards. The Patriots haven't named a starter for Week 4 quite yet.
Drake Maye Seeing Significant Amount Of First-Team Reps In Practices
New England Patriots rookie quarterback Drake Maye is seeing approximately 30% of the first-team reps at team practices, according to Evan Lazar. This is a significantly higher percentage that backups typically never see. Head coach Jerod Mayo explained that this is part of the development process for the North Carolina product. While fantasy managers should continue to expect Jacoby Brissett to serve as the starting QB, this is a promising sign for Maye's development as he is being given ample opportunities to develop even as a backup. In the season opener, Brissett threw for just 121 yards without a score but led New England to an upset victory over the Cincinnati Bengals. Fantasy managers in deeper 2-QB leagues should continue to stash Maye, as he should see playing time later this fall.
The New England Patriots reportedly hope to sit rookie first-round quarterback Drake Maye behind veteran Jacoby Brissett until their offensive line improves. Brissett barely won the starting gig over Maye in training camp and is starting in the Week 1 regular-season opener on Sunday against the Cincinnati Bengals. The Patriots were impressed with Maye's command and knowledge of the offense this summer, but they want to put him in the best position to succeed when they throw him in there, and NFL Network's Ian Rapoport says it will probably be several weeks at least. The 22-year-old third overall selection will be starting games in his rookie year in 2024, but that may not happen right away. When it does happen, the Pats' QB of the future will have more upside than Brissett, but he won't have much to work with on offense and won't be much more than a low-end QB2 option in superflex fantasy leagues.
Drake Maye Expected To Start At Some Point In 2024
New England Patriots rookie quarterback Drake Maye is expected to be named the starter at some point during the 2024 NFL season, according to Jeff Howe of The Athletic. While Jacoby Brissett gets the nod Week 1, Howe expects that the Patriots will turn to the No. 3 overall pick at some point this year. He notes that "the variables between the team's record and the line's performance have made it a guess as to when that would happen." In other words, if the Patriots get off to a hot start, the Patriots may ride with Brissett. Similarly, if the offensive line can't do a good job in pass protection, the Patriots may play Brissett in order to preserve Maye's health. Once he does take over as the starter in New England, Maye will be a high-end fantasy QB2.
Drake Maye Outplaying Jacoby Brissett But No Starter Named
New England Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo has noted that rookie Drake Maye is giving veteran Jacoby Brissett a run for his money in the quarterback competition. While Brissett, in his ninth NFL season, has the advantage of experience having started 11 games with the Cleveland Browns in 2022 and being familiar with Patriots offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt's system Maye's performance has closed the gap significantly. Mayo acknowledged that the difference between the two quarterbacks has narrowed in recent weeks and emphasized that the decision will hinge on which player gives the Patriots the best chance to win against the Bengals in Week 1. Maye has made a strong case with his preseason play, totaling 66 snaps, completing 21 of 34 passes for 192 yards, and tossing one touchdown with no interceptions. Additionally, he has contributed with seven carries for 32 yards and a rushing touchdown. Maye's physical talent and ability to make plays could potentially elevate the performance of skill players like Rhamondre Stevenson and Ja'Lynn Polk, making him an intriguing option for the starting role.
New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye completed 13 of 20 passes for 126 yards, one touchdown, and zero interceptions during Sunday's preseason finale against the Washington Commanders. He also had a deep touchdown pass that was nullified due to an offensive line penalty. Furthermore, Maye rushed three times for 17 yards in the contest. The No. 3 overall pick has progressively improved throughout his three preseason games, and when Jacoby Brissett (shoulder) exited Sunday's game early, Maye took full advantage of the extra reps. The Patriots' 2024 outlook is bleak, but it seems like the team may have a solid quarterback prospect in Maye. Now, all eyes will be on head coach Jerod Mayo as he names a starting quarterback, presumably within the next week. Brissett had been the early favorite to start Week 1, but Maye has made quite the push for that job lately. As soon as Maye is named the starter, he'll become a high-end QB3 for redraft purposes.
New England Patriots rookie first-round quarterback Drake Maye took a big step on Wednesday as he took his reps with the projected starting offense during padded practices and competitive drills at training camp. In any of the first 17 practices, Maye took zero reps with that projected starting unit. Maye did not throw a pass with that unit, but getting on the field with that grouping was the next step for his development. While it's looking more likely that veteran signal-caller Jacoby Brissett will begin the season as the Patriots' starting quarterback, the third-overall pick Maye should eventually take over at some point in 2024. For fantasy circles, Maye offers plenty of mobility and a strong arm, so he should be considered on the waiver wire once he's tabbed to start this season for New England.
Drake Maye, Jacoby Brissett Will Play In Preseason Finale
New England Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo said that both quarterbacks Drake Maye and Jacoby Brissett will play in Thursday night's preseason finale against the Washington Commanders as they continue their QB battle. Brissett entered training camp as the favorite to win the starting job under center to kick off the 2024 season, but he has struggled in two preseason games, while Maye looked much better last week. How each QB fares this weekend against Washington figures to decide the competition. Brissett has more experience in the NFL, but Maye, the third overall pick in this year's NFL draft, is much more mobile and has a stronger arm for downfield throws. Even if Maye doesn't win the starting job heading into Week 1, the 21-year-old figures to be starting games for New England sooner than later in 2024.
