As expected, three quarterbacks came off the board to begin the 2024 draft. Neither Caleb Williams nor Jayden Daniels have inked their rookie contracts, but that is now the case for Drake Maye. 
New England came to terms with the latter on Tuesday, Mike Garafolo of NFL Network reports. Maye will now be under contract for the next four years, with the Patriots having the ability to keep him place for 2028 via the fifth-year option. This deal is worth $36.64MM, and KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson confirms it will include a signing bonus of just under $23.5MM.
Williams spent the pre-draft process as the presumptive No. 1 pick, and the Bears provided no surprise on draft night. Debate existed regarding the next tier of signal-callers, but by the time the Commanders were on the clock, Daniels was understood to be the team’s preference. That left the Patriots with a key decision at No. 3: select Maye, add a different prospect (quarterback or otherwise) or trade down.
In the lead-in to the draft, it became clear the Patriots were willing to listen on trade offers but the organization’s desired outcome (particularly on the part of owner Robert Kraft) was to stand pat and draft Maye. That ended up being New England’s ultimate choice, and as such the team has its next potential Tom Brady successor. Of course, all parties involved will be aiming for a better outcome than the Mac Jones era under center.
New England turned down considerable trade interest – specifically from the Giants and Vikings – to retain the No. 3 slot. Maye will therefore enter the league with considerable expectations, although he may not start right away. In anticipation of drafting a Jones replacement later in the offseason, the Patriots inked Jacoby Brissett to a one-year deal including $6.5MM guaranteed. He and Maye are set to compete for the No. 1 gig this summer.
The latter had a strong sophomore campaign at North Carolina, throwing for 4,321 yards and 38 touchdowns that year. Maye’s production regressed last season, though, and his accuracy (66.3% completion percentage), yardage (3,608) and TD (24) totals dropped while his interceptions jumped slightly (from seven to nine). One of the younger signal-callers in a class which produced six first-rounders, Maye could begin his rookie campaign on the sidelines as he develops. He will nonetheless be expected to start relatively soon.
Here is an updated look at the Patriots’ draft class:
- Round 1, No. 3: Drake Maye (QB, UNC) (signed)
- Round 2, No. 37 (via Chargers): Ja’Lynn Polk (WR, Washington)
- Round 3, No. 68: Caeden Wallace (T, Penn State)
- Round 4, No. 103: Layden Robinson (G, Texas A&M)
- Round 5, No. 110 (from Bears through Chargers): Javon Baker (WR, UCF) (signed)
- Round 6, No. 180: Marcellas Dial (CB, South Carolina) (signed)
- Round 6, No. 193 (from Jaguars): Joe Milton III (QB, Tennessee) (signed)
- Round 7, No. 231 (from Bears): Jaheim Bell (TE, Florida State) (signed)
The AFC East is going to be interesting this year. All teams are volatile for various reasons.
NYJ: All in w/ a bunch of old timers.
‘Fins: had to shed lots of contracts & Tua is still unsigned.
Bills: Gutted a bunch of 30 something’s and not rave reviews about their offseason.
Pats: Bombed last year and spent very little in FA to help bolster a barren roster. Same deal as they did w/ Mac 3 years ago.
Spotrac lists the average age of the Jets at 26.6 and the Dolphins and Bills at 26.5 so there’s basically no real difference. The 49ers top the age list at 27.0 but I don’t think many people consider that a disadvantage for them.
Great points. I was poking fun of their starting OT’s, Aaron, and the Chargers WR they picked up. Lots of age & previous injuries in important positions for my taste.
I’d like the Jets chances a lot if they had a HC like George Allen who could always get strong performances from an over the hill gang.