Drake Maye vs. J.J. McCarthy: Which QB is New England Patriots 'Home Run' Draft Pick?

In a new mock draft, the New England Patriots quarterback decision could come down to Drake Maye and J.J. McCarthy.

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If the recent mock drafts are any indication, the New England Patriots’ decision on who their next quarterback will be could be down to just two prospects. But which two? 

Well, as recently stated by ESPN insider Adam Schefter and draft analyst Mel Kiper, the Patriots' decision as to which quarterback they will choose with the No. 3 overall pick could come down to UNC’s Drake Maye and Michigan’s J.J. McCarthy.

Both believe that the Washington Commanders are starting to lean toward taking LSU’s reigning Heisman Trophy-winner Jayden Daniels at No. 2, making him the second quarterback off the board right behind Caleb Williams and thus leaving New England to choose from Maye and McCarthy. So, which one should the Patriots take at No. 3 in the mind of Kiper?

"If you handle Maye properly, if you handle McCarthy properly, I think you're gonna have a solid quarterback," Kiper said of the potential quarterback debate during a recent pre-draft conference call with media members. "I think the guy that has a chance to be great of those two is Maye. McCarthy could be solid, not a bust. So, I think you look at it a little differently. If you want to hit the home run, I think you take Drake Maye."

Nov 11, 2023; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; DUPLICATE***North Carolina Tar Heels quarterback / Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

A “home run” is certainly what the Patriots are hoping for as they will likely turndown trade offers in favor of staying at No. 3 and try again at drafting and then developing who they hope will be their franchise signal-caller. 

As Kiper explained, both Maye and McCarthy have unique pros and cons. However, as Kiper explained in his latest mock draft, the “elite deep-ball thrower” won out ove McCarthy.

"The concern is the late-season inaccuracy with some throws," Kiper said about Maye. "He's only 21 years of age. He's gonna keep getting better. But you've got to take the concerns you have and be able to coach through it.” 

The veteran draft analyst went on to explain that despite the concerns with a prospect like Maye, the Patriots are going to have to bet on themselves and hope they can coach through the struggles of a young quarterback. This is potentially an area that failed under the previous regime when it came to the development of Jones. 

However, while the Patriots did end up hiring from within to replace the legendary coach Bill Belichick with Jerod Mayo, he did shake up the coaching staff. The first-year coach brought in his own offensive coordinator, Alex Van Pelt, along with hiring a new quarterback coach in T.C. McCartney, in hopes they could right the wrongs of the recent past.