Tag: drake Maye

There’s one thing Drake Maye and Mac Jones will have in common

Drake Maye will be wearing a familiar jersey number in New England

New England Patriots rookie quarterback Drake Maye confirmed on Friday that he will be wearing the No. 10 jersey number in the NFL. This was the same number he wore in high school and at North Carolina.

The No. 10 jersey was previously held by former Patriots quarterback Mac Jones. Jimmy Garoppolo also wore the number during his time in New England from 2014-2016. Damiere Byrd, Austin Collie and Josh Gordon were also notable names to wear that number.

Jones was shipped off in a trade to the Jacksonville Jaguars in free agency for a sixth-round draft pick. So Maye is being brought in to lead the way into the future as the new franchise quarterback for the rebuilding Patriots.

Time will tell how Maye does in New England. At the very least, the team put nearly all of its efforts into adding offensive pieces in the draft. The objective is clearly making things way more accommodating for this No. 10 than it was for the previous one.

Here’s how Drake Maye reacted to Patriots drafting QB Joe Milton III

How Drake Maye reacted to the Patriots drafting another quarterback

Drake Maye won’t be the only rookie in the New England Patriots’ quarterbacks room in training camp.

On Saturday, two days after using the No. 3 overall draft pick on Maye, the Patriots used the No. 193 pick in the sixth round on former Tennessee quarterback Joe Milton III.

It came as a shock to some considering Milton was believed to be a sleeper pick by many in the later rounds. It also doesn’t help that Patriots fans just survived two years of a revolving door situation under center with Mac Jones and Bailey Zappe.

However, Maye was unfazed in a social media post following the pick. He even congratulated Milton on getting drafted to New England.

Milton has a freakishly strong arm, but he is far from a polished prospect. He’s still a fascinating player with a bit of an unknown ceiling. So it makes sense why the Patriots would want to take a flier on him in the sixth round.

That doesn’t change the fact that Maye is the future franchise quarterback in New England, assuming he plays well. If anything, Milton’s presence, along with veteran Jacoby Brissett, should light an even bigger fire under Maye to hit the ground running.

2024 Top-10 fantasy football rookies

2024 was the Year of the Quarterback. It was not the Year of the Running Back.

Seven rounds later in Detroit and the NFL draft seeded teams with rookies. Rosters are relatively set, other than a few free agents that have yet to land. How did this draft compare to previous seasons?

Quarterbacks


An NFL-record six quarterbacks were selected over the first twelve picks and then none until the 5.15 pick for another record gap. The fury over picking signal callers suggests this may be a challenger to the famous 1983 class. But 2021 saw five taken in the first 15 selections and three years later, only Trevor Lawrence is still a starter from that entire draft class. This set of quarterbacks are expected to remake the landscape of the NFL within a few years. Or just become 2021 all over again.

Running Backs


Fantasy football loves rookie running backs. That’s about the end of affection for the position that continues to be devalued despite their contributions each season. A new NFL record was set when only Jonathon Brooks was drafted from the position over the first two rounds. And he’s fresh off a torn ACL six months ago. This was considered a weak class and the NFL treated it as if they were just adding special teamers instead of every-down contributors.

Tight Ends


Brock Bowers carries the only realistic fantasy hopes for a rookie tight end to matter. Only two tight ends were selected until the fourth round as a sign that the position carried minimal importance for 2024 outside of Bowers. He is the Sam LaPorta in this draft.

Wide Receivers


There was plenty of interest in wide receivers for the pass-happy NFL. The seven taken in Round 1 tied the record set in  2004. Three wideouts went over the first nine picks and there’s a lot of optimism about the first dozen selected. Marvin Harrison Jr., Malik Nabers and Keon Coleman landed in spots where there is an immediate opening to become the No. 1 wideout.

Overall, the draft was weak for rushing but infused a ton of talented youth into the passing game.

Top 10 fantasy rookies

  1. WR Marvin Harrison Jr., Ohio State
    Arizona Cardinals 1.04, 6-3, 209 pounds, 4.35 est. 40-time
    Oddly, the top fantasy rookie is usually a running back but that changes this year. Harrison brings the complete elite package to Arizona where the next best wideout is Michael Wilson. The rookie has minimal competition for targets and a quarterback in Kyler Murray who is capable of a 4,000-yard season. The top wideout lands in perhaps the most advantageous situation of any receiver.
  2. RB Jonathon Brooks, Texas
    Carolina Panthers 2.14, 6-0, 216 pounds, 4.45 est. 40-time
    Fantasy loves rookie rushers and for good reasons. Brooks was the only back taken in the first two rounds. He was a first-round grade but comes off a torn ACL last November. He’s expected to be healthy for training camp and joins a rebuilding Panthers as their clear primary back.
  3. WR Keon Coleman, Florida State
    Buffalo Bills 6-3, 213 pounds 4.61 40-time
    The ex-Seminole was only the eighth wideout drafted but like Harrison, lands in an ideal spot with the Bills remaking their receivers and should turn into their No. 1 wideout soon if not immediately. Bills just lost 241 receptions from last year with Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis gone. Not a burner, but Coleman should become the immediate possession receiver and a friend in the end zone.
  4. WR Brian Thomas, LSU
    Jacksonville Jaguars 1.23, 6-3, 209 pounds, 4.33 40-time
    The Jaguars needed to replace previous No. 1 wideout Calvin Ridley and turn to the speedy Fighting Tiger that led the nation with 17 receiving scores last year. He’ll slide into the No. 2 behind Christian Kirk and carry the expectation of being the No. 1 sooner than later. Paired with a healthy Trevor Lawrence should produce fantasy starter stats.
  5. RB Trey Benson, Florida State
    Arizona Cardinals 3.02, 6-0, 216 pounds, 4.39 40-time
    While Benson is not the immediate starter, he joins an improving Cardinals team that has relied on James Conner for three seasons with mostly moderate results. Conner is in his final contract year and Benson brings a much-needed speed element to the backfield. Conner is a 233-pound power back who always misses a few games. Benson will contribute from Day 1, fill in when Conner is hurt again, and angle to be the primary by 2025 at the latest.
  6. WR Malik Nabers, LSU
    New York Giants 1.06, 6-0, 200 pounds, 4.35 40-time
    There is no argument that Nabers is an elite talent that any team would benefit from using. That said, five years of Daniel Jones has produced ZERO 1,000-yard wideouts. Nabers drew the short straw and suffered the pain of being so good, that he was available to the worst teams. Nabers will improve the Giants, probably, but he’s landed in what has historically been the NFL Siberia for wide receivers.
  7. QB Jayden Daniels, LSU
    Washington Commanders, 6-3, 210 pounds, 4.35 40-time
    C.J. Stroud was the rare rookie quarterback that became a fantasy starter. And Caleb Williams was the 1.01 pick with the standard ridiculous skills and proven production. But Daniels lands in Washington, where the offense was upgraded and Daniels was the premier running quarterback in this draft. That looms huge as a rookie who will otherwise have to learn to read NFL defenses and synch up with his receivers. Or just run the ball as he did at LSU, where he gained 1,134 yards and ten touchdowns as a rusher last year.
  8. TE Brock Bowers, Georgia
    Las Vegas Raiders 1.13, 6-3, 243 pounds, 4.5 est. 40-time
    Not many analysts saw the Raiders grabbing Bowers, but he fell to the 1.13 despite being one of the best prospects at the position for many years. Bowers was the top receiver in Georgia for all three seasons. He just flattened Michael Mayer‘s career arc, but should offer fantasy startability for a Raiders’ offense that sports a weak backfield and only Davante Adams and Jakobi Meyers as weapons when they pass.
  9. WR Xavier Worthy, Texas
    Kansas City Chiefs 1.28, 5-11, 165 pounds, 4.21 40-time
    The chance that Xavier Worthy will be overvalued in fantasy drafts is right at 100%. Even faster than Tyreek Hill, Worthy will have fantasy value in Year 1, and may surprise matched up with Patrick Mahomes. But he becomes just another option for an offense that also has Travis Kelce, Marquise Brown, Rashee Rice (maybe) and Kadarius Toney (for the two games that he lasts).  Worthy is smallish for any heavy workload and will need time to reach his potential. But have to think there are a handful of very deep scores waiting to happen.
  10. WR Ladd McConkey, Georgia 
    Los Angeles Chargers 4.13, 6-0, 186 pounds, 4.39 40-time
    Many other rookies could end up this good, but McConkey gets the advantage of landing with the Chargers where they stripped out their starting wideouts and McConkey could easily carve out a starting spot if not end up as the No. 1 receiver this year. But the wet blanket here is new HC Jim Harbaugh importing a run-heavy approach that threatens to significantly blunt the passing offense.

Top 10 dynasty rookies

  1. WR Marvin Harrison Jr. (ARI)
  2. RB Jonathon Brooks (CAR)
  3. QB Jayden Daniels (WAS)
  4. WR Keon Coleman (BUF)
  5. QB Caleb Williams (CHI)
  6. WR Brian Thomas (JAX)
  7. WR Malik Nabers (NYG)
  8. WR Rome Odunze (CHI)
  9. RB Trey Benson (ARI)
  10. WR Xavier Worthy (KC)

PHOTOS: Drake Maye introduced by New England Patriots

Photos from Drake Maye being introduced as the quarterback of the New England Patriots for the first time.

The New England Patriots got their guy. On Thursday night, New England stayed put at No. 3 overall and selected North Carolina quarterback Drake Maye to hopefully be the next franchise quarterback for the Patriots.

Maye joins the Patriots after three years with the Tar Heels, including the last two as the starter.

Ever since New England moved on from Tom Brady a few years back, they have struggled to find a replacement. They tried Cam Newton, drafted Mac Jones and will now look at Maye to be that guy.

But before Maye hits the practice field for rookie minicamp, he was introduced for the first time. Check out some photos of Maye being introduced and meeting the Patriots.

 

UNC leads North Carolina in NFL Draft selections

If you follow the NFL Draft closely, chances are you’ve seen a former North Carolina Tar Heel selected in the first round.

The North Carolina Tar Heels are no stranger to recent struggles against NC State in its football rivalry, while archrival Duke is a team UNC typically beats.

Wake Forest is proving to be another solid in-state college football program, East Carolina is no stranger to success (look at the early-mid 2000s), NC Central performs well at the FCS level, while App State is the Tar Heel State’s most consistently-successful program.

Regardless of what collegiate football program you talk about in North Carolina, the Tar Heels own one impressive distinction in their home state: most first-round NFL Draft picks, leading their state with 25.

Drake Maye, the 2022 ACC Player and Rookie of the Year who threw for 8,018 yards and 63 touchdowns in his UNC career, was chosen third overall by the New England Patriots in the 2024 NFL Draft.

https://www.instagram.com/p/C6OqnpQr3xM/

The full list of North Carolina’s first round draft picks is highlighted by Hall-of-Famers Lawrence Taylor and Julius Peppers, but also includes, in order of year selected: Ken Willard (1965), Don McCauley (1971), Ken Huff (1975), Taylor and Donnell Thompson (1981), Brian Blados (1984), Ethan Horton (1985), 3-time Super Bowl Chapmion Harris Barton (1987), Thomas Smith (1993), Marcus Jones (1996), Vonnie Holliday, Brian Simmons and 2007 Pro Bowler Greg Ellis (1998), Ebenezer Ekuban (1999), Peppers and Ryan Sims (2002), Kentwan Balmer (2008), Hakeem Nicks (2009), Robert Quinn (2011), Quinton Coples (2012), Jonathan Cooper and Sylvester Williams (2013), Eric Ebron (2014), Mitch Trubisky (2017) and Maye (2024).

Here’s to hoping Maye enjoys a successful career like most of his UNC first-round predecessors.

Follow us @TarHeelsWire on X and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of North Carolina Tar Heels news, notes and opinions!

Cedric Gray, Tez Walker amongst best remaining NFL Draft prospects on Day 2

Will Cedric Gray and Tez Walker’s strong football careers at UNC land them decent spots in the 2024 NFL Draft?

Day 1 of the NFL Draft on Thursday, April 25 was no shortage of excitement.

Several teams found their quarterbacks of the future, the Carolina Panthers traded up to get their next big receiver and the Atlanta Falcons made a head-scratching selection at eighth overall, selecting Michael Penix Jr. after committing $100+ million to Kirk Cousins in the offseason.

One of the top names off the draft board was UNC football legend Drake Maye, who was selected third overall by the New England Patriots. Maye joins a storied AFC East franchise looking to get back to its early 2000s-glory.

Maye isn’t the only former North Carolina Tar Heel expected to be chosen in the NFL Draft.

Just moments ahead of Rounds 2 and 3 on Friday, April 26, UNC linebacker Cedric Gray and wide receiver Tez Walker are ranked amongst USA Today’s 125 best remaining NFL Draft prospects.

Gray, ranked 88th, earned First Team All-ACC Honors in each of the past two seasons. He led North Carolina with 121 tackles in 2023, one of two Tar Heels to hit the century mark (Power Echols), while also sacking opposing quarterbacks five times, generating seven quarterback hurries, four pass breakups, plus forcing a team-high two fumbles and recovering a team-high two.

Walker, ranked 109th, is one of the more underrated wide receiver prospects in the 2024 NFL Draft. He only played in eight games for the Tar Heels last year, but led them with seven receiving touchdowns while adding 699 receiving yards (second-most). Walker’s season was shortened due to initially being ruled ineligible, a decision which was eventually flipped.

According to Gray’s NFL Draft Scouting report, there’s a decent chance he gets selected tonight. If Walker isn’t selected today, he’ll definitely be gone by tomorrow.

Follow us @TarHeelsWire on X and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of North Carolina Tar Heels news, notes and opinions!

WATCH: Inside Patriots draft room during Drake Maye selection

A behind-the-scenes look at the moment Drake Maye became a Patriot

At long last, Thursday was the opening round of the 2024 NFL draft.

All of those months of preparation, pro days and pre-draft visits led to the New England Patriots choosing the future by selecting North Carolina quarterback Drake Maye at No. 3 overall.

The Patriots’ Twitter account gave us an exclusive video inside the draft room, right as Maye was about to be selected. Everyone, from de facto general manager Eliot Wolf to coach Jerod Mayo, had a chance to talk with the quarterback before the selection.

Robert Kraft was the last one to take the call to welcome the Patriots’ new rookie quarterback to the organization.

It’s always fun to see behind-the-scenes footage from the draft rooms. By the looks of it, the entire Patriots’ organization look pleased and eager to get the organization back on track.

Report: Giants offered Patriots 2025 first-round pick to move up

The New York Giants reportedly offered the New England Patriots the sixth overall pick and their 2025 first-rounder for No. 3 overall.

The New York Giants made a “last-ditch” effort to trade up from No. 6 to No. 3 but the New England Patriots chose to stay put and select North Carolina quarterback Drake Maye, who was Big Blue’s target.

The Patriots were said to want a massive haul in return for the No. 3 spot and that turned out to be true.

Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated reports that the Giants offered the No. 6 overall pick in addition to their 2025 first-round pick but were rebuffed.

The Giants, meanwhile, did wind up putting their 2025 first-round pick in their offer to move from No. 6 to No. 3.

The Giants, of course, got a weapon for Daniel Jones, selecting star receiver Malik Nabers.

Pat Leonard of the New York Daily News reports that the Giants also included their 2024 second-round pick, No. 47 overall, in the trade offer.

Even with the additional assets thrown in, the Giants didn’t stand much of a chance. Not only were the Patriots seeking even more than that, but they had a better offer from the Minnesota Vikings which still wasn’t enough.

Earlier this week, Minnesota offered the Nos. 11 and 23 picks, and its 2025 first-rounder, with pick swaps favoring the Vikings as part of the proposal; and that offer ticked up with New England on the clock.

The Giants had the opportunity to select J.J. McCarthy, Michael Penix Jr., or Bo Nix with their first-round pick but ultimately settled on Nabers.

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C.J. Stroud thinks Drake Maye is the most ‘NFL-ready’ rookie QB

C.J. Stroud sees something special in Drake Maye

Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud had high praise for New England Patriots rookie quarterback Drake Maye, following Day 1 of the 2024 NFL draft on Thursday night.

Maye will look to turn around the struggling Patriots after becoming the second quarterback drafted by the organization in the last four years. In the meantime, Stroud knows a thing or two about being a highly-touted franchise quarterback.

He was able to lead the Texans back to the playoffs, after having a strong rookie campaign in which he tallied 4,180 yards, 23 touchdowns and five interceptions in 2023. He, too, was drafted by an organization with high expectations.

Stroud made a media appearance on Thursday night and had high praise for Maye.

“I feel like Drake Maye is (the most NFL-ready). You watch his tape, just his arm talent jumps off,” said Stroud.

Patriots fans are hoping that arm talent can bring stability back to the quarterback position. The Patriots certainly need an NFL-ready quarterback with other holes to fill on the offense.

Now, they finally have a player they can build around.

Drake Maye not buying negativity surrounding Patriots’ roster situation

Drake Maye was quick to swat down negative perceptions of the Patriots’ roster situation

There has been a ton of talk in regards to the New England Patriots not being an ideal destination for a rookie quarterback. Drake Maye shut down that talk quickly after being selected by the organization with the No. 3 overall pick on Thursday night.

The quarterback will have a chance to reignite an offense that was 30th in the league last year. The Patriots also hold the 34th overall pick in the second round on Friday night in a draft with plenty of wide receiver talent still on the board.

When meeting with the media, Maye was asked about New England being a difficult destination for a rookie quarterback. He was quick to swat down the notion that it would be a tough place to succeed in.

“I think they’re wrong. I think, you know, they had that defense last year, held a lot of teams to low points,” said Maye. “You know, looking forward to helping any way in the offense, offensively. Looking forward to being there, Coach (Jerod) Mayo in his first year, congrats to him. I think anybody that’s saying that, hopefully you’ll find out come this season. Just gonna work hard with the guys, and hopefully prove them wrong.”

The quarterback certainly does not lack confidence, as he looks to help the Patriots return to the playoffs for the first time since 2022.

What New England does in the coming days will be important, particularly after they struggled to build around Mac Jones in 2021. They would be wise to get offensive weapons for Maye because the organization itself can’t afford to strike out on yet another rookie quarterback.