Draft Solution for New England Patriots QB Woes?

Just a month into the NFL season, the New England Patriots 2023 campaign is coming close to disaster status. But if anything good can come from it, it'll happen in next year's draft.

Just a month into the NFL season, the New England Patriots 2023 campaign is coming close to disaster status. But if anything good can come from it, it'll happen in next year's draft.

Or, maybe, in the development of Malik Cunningham?

Lots of people are blaming the quarterback position for the offensive struggles this season, as starting quarterback Mac Jones has been benched in each of the last two games. Coincidentally or not, New England has been outscored 72-3 in those two contests.

Pro Football Focus thinks it has a solution in North Carolina quarterback Drake Maye.

Bill Belichick (L) and Drake Maye / FanStreamSports.com

“Maye is probably the only quarterback with the potential to unseat USC star Caleb Williams as the unanimous No. 1 overall pick. He has a live arm and great athletic ability, allowing him to maneuver the pocket while keeping his eyes downfield. The Tar Heels signal-caller averaged 8.7 yards per attempt and earned a 91.2 passing grade in 2022, with 39 big-time throws to just 10 turnover-worthy plays.”

There's little doubt Maye could help an NFL team when the time comes. He's helped the Tar Heels to a 5-0 record and is coming off maybe the best game of his career in a 40-7 thrashing of Syracuse. In the win, Maye completed 33 of 47 passes for 442 yards and three touchdowns. 

He's averaging just under 326 yards per game and completing just over 71 percent of his passes. But is Maye the answer for the Patriots? Will he be around by the time they draft next year?

Maye is quietly entering the Heisman conversation that's previously been dominated by USC's Caleb Williams. And if the Patriots continue their losing ways, who knows what could happen next April in Detroit when New England is on the clock?

---