Pats Pulpit
New England selected QB Drake Maye with their first pick.
The New England Patriots used the No. 3 overall selection in the 2024 NFL Draft to land their quarterback of the future in North Carolina’s Drake Maye.
Here’s who the pick impacts for better, or worse, moving forward.
QB Jacoby Brissett: Despite drafting the quarterback of the future Thursday night, a role is still out there for New England’s veteran free agent addition — beyond mentoring Maye. Head coach Jerod Mayo made note that the best option under center will start after an offseason competition, leaving the door open for Brissett to begin the year while Maye sits and learns.
“I don’t want you guys to forget about the quarterbacks that we have on our roster,” Mayo said. “I would say we’re going to compete all spring, we’re going to compete during training camp, and the best player will start.”
WR DeMario Douglas: While all of New England’s pass catchers will benefit from improved quarterback play, Douglas’ production may skyrocket with Maye under center. During Maye’s 2022 season at North Carolina, slot receiver Josh Downs was his go-to target and hauled in 94 receptions for over 1,000 yards. Maye may now find a new favorite target with New England’s jitterbug receiver.
OC Alex Van Pelt: As Van Pelt establishes his new offense in New England, he gets a QB who has all the physical abilities at the position; while Eliot Wolf also shared his confidence in Van Pelt and the staff to help Maye progress in areas he needs to improve in.
Maye’s athletic ability to get on the move and top-tier arm talent to threaten defenses vertically should make him a strong fit in Van Pelt’s offense — something the two already started to break down during Maye’s visit to Foxboro.
“I went up there for the 30 visit, we went through some of the film, outside zone scheme,” Maye shared. “He likes to throw it around; he did some play action stuff with [Aaron] Rodgers back in the day in Green Bay, so I’m looking forward to being in that offense.”
QB Bailey Zappe: While Zappe falls under the category of “quarterbacks that we have on our roster,” he now is firmly on the outside looking after the position was addressed with the No. 3 overall pick. With Maye as the future and Brissett as the veteran leader, a spot for the 25-year old Zappe is tough to find moving forward.
