NFL Insider: New England Patriots 'Impressed' By Drake Maye

The New England Patriots have kept their cards close ahead of the NFL Draft. However a new report reveals which quarterback has "impressed" the Patriots in recent weeks.

Mar 1, 2024; Indianapolis, IN, USA; North Carolina quarterback Drake Maye (QB04) talks to the media / Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports

Are the New England Patriots starting to develop a “preference” for one of the quarterback prospects in the upcoming NFL Draft? 

That is the proverbial million-dollar question that could decide what the Patriots do with the No. 3 overall pick in the draft. If the Patriots don’t like any of the remaining quarterbacks left on the board when they are on the clock, then a trade-down would make a lot of sense. However, if the opposite is true, the Patriots would take their guy. 

Despite the draft being just two weeks out, the Patriots have seemingly given no hints of a preference. Yet, a new report from ESPN has potentially revealed which quarterback has “impressed” the Patriots in recent weeks.

“The Patriots were impressed with [Drake] Maye's interview at the NFL combine, with coach Jerod Mayo calling it ‘fantastic,’” ESPN’s Mike Reiss writes. “Maye's strong arm also fits well when considering how challenging it can be to throw in Northeast conditions. But at this point, the Patriots are still finalizing their draft board, and it's premature to say which quarterback they prefer.”

Nov 18, 2023; Clemson, South Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels quarterback Drake Maye (10) / Ken Ruinard-USA TODAY Sports

While Reiss didn't explicitly state the Patriots' preference, he did highlight the team's substantial investment in scouting Maye and Jayden Daniels, which could strongly indicate the Patriots' interest in these quarterbacks. 

Coincidentally, those quarterbacks are the two most commonly projected to be taken by New England in mock drafts. Experts have somewhat debated who the No. 2 ranked signal-caller behind USC’s Caleb Williams is. 

After entering his redshirt sophomore season in Chapel Hill, Maye was the near-consensus No. 2 quarterback, with some even ranking him ahead of the Trojans’ production. However, following a video-game-like Heisman Trophy-winning season, Daniels has supplanted the former Tarheel in the minds of some. 

However, even if there is a debate about who is the “second-best,” it shouldn’t be relevant to New England. As the holders of the third pick, their chances of selecting the No. 2 signal-caller aren’t favorable. If their “investment” of resources is anything to show for it, the Patriots are likely to take whichever quarterback the Washington Commanders don’t take at No. 2.