Drake Maye advocates keeping the workload in the preseason to a minimum

Of the six first-round quarterbacks in the 2024 NFL Draft, Drake Maye seems to offer the most mystery and excitement. We know that the first two draft picks, Caleb Williams and Jayden Daniels, are almost certain to start in Week 1 for the Chicago Bears and Washington Commanders, respectively. Maye is an outside chance with the New England Patriots.

As for Bo Nix on the Denver Broncos, he’s probably the third most likely first-round rookie quarterback to start in Week 1, but that might be mostly out of desperation for Denver. He’s a promising prospect but has some bad habits from college that he needs to break, but will that happen? As for Michael Penix Jr. on the Atlanta Falcons, he’s a lot further along than many of us expected.

While JJ McCarthy is losing control due to injuries in his rookie season with the Minnesota Vikings, it may end up being Maye in New England. Despite barely playing in his preseason debut against the Carolina Panthers, he seems to be showing more and more people in New England that he could potentially displace seasoned veteran Jacoby Brissett at the top of the order. It all seems inevitable.

If you want proof that Maye is probably good to go now, check out this great throw to Ja’Lynn Polk.

The big question in the Patriots quarterback room is what to do with Joe Milton III and Bailey Zappe.

While I won’t rule it out completely, I can still see Brissett starting for New England in Week 1. He’ll likely start the first few games of the entire month, similar to how Andy Dalton did in Chicago before Justin Fields eventually took his place in 2021. Honestly, I’d rather see Maye on the bench for at least a while, especially because the Patriots might not be good. However, I can understand him starting.

Tom Brady may be the best quarterback, but Maye is the best talent New England has had since drafting Washington State’s Drew Bledsoe with the No. 1 pick in 1993. The ball just looks different coming off Maye’s rocket-like right arm. He throws with so much feel, power and precision that it’s no wonder he was favorably compared to Aaron Rodgers coming out of North Carolina last spring.

If I had to make a firm prediction, I’d say Maye will start more than half of his team’s games this season. Brissett will start the rest, and maybe Zappe will get a spot start in between. Milton is not an NFL quarterback, especially because he was considered a quarterback in college. Right now, I would protect Maye at all costs to avoid a McCarth disaster. Maye’s day will come soon.

Maye was the third choice for a good reason: He was physically gifted and close to being ready to turn professional.