Pats Pulpit
Henry played with Justin Herbert during his rookie season.
Throughout the draft process, Drake Maye was compared to some of the top quarterback’s in the league. One of those included Los Angeles Chargers gunslinger Justin Herbert.
Six starts into Maye’s career, nobody could compare the two better than tight end Hunter Henry, who’s last season in Los Angeles coincided with Herbert’s rookie season. So far, Henry agrees with the pre-draft player comps.
“There’s a lot of similarities in a lot of ways,” Henry said on Wednesday. “They’re different but they’re similar in a way too. I mean Justin’s a special player but Drake’s a very special player too.”
Beyond both wearing No. 10, the comparisons are easy to spot. The 6-foot-6, 236 pound Herbert has just two inches and nearly 10 pounds on Maye, while the physical tools on the field are quite similar. That includes an athletic profile to complement a big-time arm.
“I think the size always helps. I mean Drake is a big guy and Justin obviously is a very big guy,” Henry said. “The mobility always help — being able to create plays on the run not just passing but also with his feet. So yeah, there’s definitely similarities. I’ve been blessed to be able with Justin and then now with Drake.”
Through Maye’s first six starts, Henry has been his go-to guy in the passing game. During that time Henry leads all New England Patriots pass catchers with 36 targets, 29 receptions, and 297 yards.
“He’s had a lot of success. He’s done it with a guy with Phillip [Rivers] in San Diego. Then he was in L.A. with [Justin] Herbert, some guys that have done it at a high level,” Maye said. “He’s seen a lot of different looks, and he helps with lining guys up in the huddle. He’s just a true vet. He’s one of the best players on our football team, so I’m trying to get him the football.”
A fair share of that production has come out of structure with Maye making plays on the move. Once Maye leaves the pocket Henry knows to try and work towards space in the direction of his quarterback — a process that mostly comes natural for him.
“You work on scramble drill a little bit but sometimes it’s just like a feel thing,” he explained. “I feel like always in football — ever since I started playing I’ve always just kind of had a feel for the game and feel for zones. Maybe not something like a coach has ever taught me but its just kind of something that I have just a natural kind of knack for and feel of kind of where I need to be.
“I need to be better on some of those scramble drills… but sometimes just trying to give him an option so that he can have an outlet for the ball.”
