Drake Maye sets goals for Patriots' rookie season

Drake Maye lays out goals for Patriots' rookie season originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston

Drake Maye is ready to get to work after being selected by the New England Patriots with the third overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.

UNC's 21-year-old quarterback will compete for the starting job this summer with veteran Jacoby Brissett and third-year signal-caller Bailey Zappe. He is one of five QBs on New England's crowded depth chart following the draft, which also included Tennessee's Joe Milton being taken by the Patriots in the sixth round.

Monday on WEEI's Greg Hill ShowPatriots head coach Jerod Mayo said that when it comes time to name a starter for Week 1, “the best player will play.” When Maye appeared on WEEI later in the day, he made it clear he was up to the challenge , but securing the starting position isn't his only goal for his rookie season.

“I find [starting] is obviously the goal for me and every quarterback coming into the NFL,” Maye continued Jones and Mego. “But I also think I want to come in there and learn. Learn from Jacoby.” [Brissett]I learn from the older people there and do my best.

“I think for me I just want to earn the respect of the guys and get to know them first. But of course all the stuff on the field will come after that. That's why I'm looking forward to helping the Patriots in any way. “It's the goal, but I'm prepared for whatever happens. I think one of the best things about coming here as a 21 year old is preparing to learn everything and soak it all up and if I'm the best I think coach Mayo said the best guys will play “If it's me, if not, I'll prepare accordingly and compete and learn as much as I can from each other. Guys, get ready for it.”

QBs selected with a top-3 pick are typically expected to start immediately. But with an experienced signal-caller in Brissett, the Patriots should feel comfortable letting their promising rookie watch and learn for a year if he's not the clear No. 1 prospect in camp.

Maye has the arm, size and athleticism to become the Patriots' next franchise quarterback. But as former Patriots head coach Bill Belichick pointed out during the draft, the 2022 ACC Player of the Year will need to improve his footwork and ability to read defenses to succeed at the next level. Mayo and the Pats will likely try to iron out those issues before allowing him to start under center.

Until then, it looks like Maye will approach his first NFL season with the ideal mindset for a rookie quarterback. And even if he doesn't start until 2025, the Patriots have made it clear they're building on their young signal-caller. Six of their seven other 2024 draft picks were used on either pass catchers or offensive linemen.