Drake Maye Start Immediately Helps Patriots In These Three Areas

Drake Maye came to New England as the embodiment of the future for the Patriots. That future reportedly will come to life on Sunday when he makes his first NFL start against the Houston Texans at Gillette Stadium.

The No. 3 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft sat behind Jacoby Brissett to learn throughout training camp and for five weeks thus far in the regular season. At 1-4, the Patriots felt ready to turn to youth to energize the offense.

Whether or not sending him out against a monstrous pass rush and an explosive offense to chase against the Texans is another story for the Patriots.

Nonetheless, Maye does bring life to the offense that currently ranks last in the league in scoring. The rookie needed to play eventually and now takes his chance to captain the ship.

When Maye takes the field for the Patriots on Sunday, here’s where New England instantly receives a jolt.

1. Athleticism
Maye made his name in college with his athleticism as a big-framed quarterback who could dominate the game with his arm and his legs. He rushed for a touchdown during the preseason against the Philadelphia Eagles. His mobility also remains a massive key to getting away from trouble behind the disastrous offensive line for the Patriots.

Sunday’s result could be ugly. What should be a given is Maye will have at least a “wow” play or two for the Patriots.

2. Push The Ball Down The Field
The Patriots are a run-first team. They don’t always stick to that, but that’s what they are and how the offense must lead. Brissett could not consistently drive the ball deep to the few playmakers New England does have, making the group often one-dimensional.

Maye has the pure arm talent to give his receivers a chance downfield. He did that on multiple occasions in the preseason. The Patriots just couldn’t reward him. A perfect ball down the middle of the field to Javon Baker dropped incomplete and a 48-yard pass across his body to KJ Osborn got called back on a penalty.

3. Interest
New England became borderline unwatchable during the recent four-game winning streak, largely in part to an offense that could not put scoring drives together. Playmakers like Christian Gonzalez do their part, but New England truly lacks stars in the early stages of a major rebuild.

Maye instantly should bring some attention back to the Patriots on Sunday to witness his development in meaningful games with the chances to turn in eye-popping plays at Gillette Stadium.