New England Patriots Draft Drake Maye, Devontez Walker: Dynamic Duo?

If the New England Patriots select UNC quarterback Drake Maye with the No. 3 pick in the upcoming NFL Draft, should they also consider drafting Tar Heels’ receiver Devontez Walker?

Oct 21, 2023; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels quarterback Drake Maye (10) and receiver Devontez Walker (9) / Nell Redmond-USA TODAY Sports

If the New England Patriots choose to make North Carolina’s Drake Maye their new franchise quarterback with the No. 3 selection in the upcoming NFL, they may be wise to pair him with a reliable target at receiver. 

While a full contingent of Pats’ coaches and front-office personnel both evaluated and met with Maye at UNC’s pro day in Chapel Hill on Thursday, they also did the same with receiver Devontez Walker, per Sportskeeda.

Though the highly-touted quarterback and athletic receiver formed a formidable tandem on the gridiron, it was almost a pairing that Tar Heels’ fans did not get the chance to see. 

After spending his first two collegiate seasons at Kent State, Walker transferred to UNC prior to the 2023 season. However, the Charlotte native soon found himself embroiled in controversy with the NCAA. In a decision which was highly criticized, the Association ruled Walker a two-time transfer. As such, he was initially denied eligibility for 2023. Despite missing four games, Walker's request to have his eligibility reinstated was granted for the remainder of the 2023 season.

Oct 21, 2023; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels quarterback Drake Maye (10) and receiver Devontez Walker (9) / Nell Redmond-USA TODAY Sports

Upon returning to the field, he quickly developed a strong working relationship with Maye. As such, he became a valuable playmaker for the Tar Heels, logging 41 catches for 699 yards and seven touchdowns over eight games. 

At 6-2, 200 pounds, Walker possesses a coveted blend of quickness, size, and big-play ability. However, he has struggled with drops throughout his college career. Those issues continued into his lukewarm performance at January’s Senior Bowl. Still, Walker rebounded with a strong showing during his NFL Scouting Combine workouts — running a 4.36-second 40-yard dash and turning in standout results in both the vertical jump (40.5 inches) and broad jump (11-foot-2) earlier this month. 

Though he projects as a late Day 2 prospect, Walker’s synergy with Maye could make him a valuable commodity for whichever team secures the quarterback’s services. Should that be the Patriots, drafting the talented wideout could provide Maye with an extra layer of familiarity and security — two luxuries with which the Pats failed to provide 2021 first-rounder Mac Jones. Consequently, Jones was traded to the Jacksonville Jaguars in early March in exchange for a sixth-round draft pick. 

Additionally, Walker would fill New England’s current void at the ‘X’ receiver position, or a pass-catcher capable of winning his battles along the perimeter. The team currelty carries Kendrick Bourne, DeMario Douglas, JuJu Smith-Schuster, Tyquan Thornton, Kayshon Boutte, Jalen Reagor and K.J. Osborn on their depth chart. 

While multiple reports have the Pats taking a strong look at the quarterback position with their No. 3 overall selection, head coach Jerod Mayo is not ready to fully pull back the curtain on his team’s plans. 

"It's the priority right now," Mayo told NFL Network's Steve Wyche at the NFL’s annual meetings when asked about drafting a quarterback. "But with that being said, you have to really be in love with the guy to take him at No. 3. So really all the options are still open for us."

Presuming that Mayo and New England’s bring trust have fallen “in love” with Maye, adding Devontez Walker into the mix might just be the key ingredient for the potion which restores the Patriots to respetability in the NFL.