2024 NFL Mock Draft: New England Patriots Select 'Big-Time' QB

A new mock draft has the New England Patriots missing out on the Caleb Williams sweepstakes but taking UNC's Drake Maye to replace Mac Jones as their franchise quarterback.

The New England Patriots are currently in quarterback purgatory even after making the switch from former first-round pick Mac Jones to Bailey Zappe. Instead, the Patriots were shut out at home for the second time this season in last Sunday's 6-0 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers.

Despite another loss where the Patriots' defense surrendered 10 points or less, Zappe is still expected to retain the starting job.

Zappe's time as the starter is expected to be temporary as the Patriots look to finish out a disastrous 2-10 season before finding their franchise signal-caller in the offseason, most likely through the NFL Draft. But who would the Patriots select at No. 2?

Per a recent mock draft from Pro Football Focus, UNC's Drake Maye will be the guy for the Patriots after the Chicago Bears take USC's Caleb Williams at No. 1. 

"The Patriots are completely lost on offense, with no identity and no quarterback to build around, ..." Pro Football Focus writes about the current Tarheel. "He made 38 big-time throws for an 8.7 percent big-time throw rate last season and has 32 such throws this year at a 7.5-percent clip. In both seasons, he recorded a sub-2.0 percent turnover-worthy play rate. Maye brings pro-level ability as a passer in all situations."

UNC quarterback Drake Maye could be the New England Patriots' next franchise signal-caller.  / Clutchpoints

That ability to make the "big-time throws" is what the Patriots have lacked this season. The Patriots have had 12 "big-time" throws between Jones and Zappe combined, which, according to PFF, are passes "with excellent ball location and timing, generally thrown further down the field and/or into a tighter window."

Then: Chicago Cardinals, Now: New England Patriots - Offense Sinking to 85-Year Low

Maye would provide the Patriots with a big arm who can make all the throws and bring creativity in and outside the pocket. In addition to his 3,608 yards and 24 touchdown passes, Maye also has 449 yards with nine touchdowns using his legs this season. 

An ability to create "off-script" would certainly help a Patriots offense that currently lacks a consistently stable offensive line and a cast of playmakers, who struggle to do just that ... make plays.

In two seasons as the starting quarterback in Chapel Hill, following in the footsteps of current Washington Commander Sam Howell, Maye has thrown for 8,018 yards with 63 touchdowns and just 13 interceptions while completing 64.0 percent of his passes. 

Maye certainly wouldn't solve all of the problems in New England, but it would be a good start to an offseason that will likely mark the beginning of a major rebuild.

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