New Projections Anticipate Disaster For Drake Maye
By Ryan Bunton
After Drake Maye was selected with the New England Patriots' highest selection since 1993 last month, expectations are optimistic among Patriots nation that he can help resurrect a franchise that has lost its championship ways. Unfortunately for those optimists, new projections for Maye's rookie season are far from flattering. In Bleacher Report's stat predictions for the league's 2024 starting quarterbacks, Maye finds himself projected to be the worst QB in the NFL.
Bleacher Report released their 2024 Stat Predictions for Every Projected Starting NFL QB, and they have Drake Maye predicted to be the worst starter in the league
— Sophie Weller (@sophieewellerr) May 31, 2024
(Full article from BR: https://t.co/fmB7DvIgLP) pic.twitter.com/FxYyijXnTV
Maye is projected to complete 59.6 percent of his passes for 2,822 yards and 15 touchdowns while throwing 12 interceptions. He is also projected to contribute on the ground with 127 yards and a touchdown. For comparison, the 2023 New England signal callers completed 63 percent of their throws for 3392 yards and 16 touchdowns, while consistently turning the ball over to the tune of 21 interceptions.
Maye's ability to succeed at the NFL level is far from a surefire bet, but the list also includes unproven rookies Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels, J.J. McCarthy, and Bo Nix. Bryce Young had a poor rookie season, and Anthony Richardson (who we've only seen play four NFL games), Daniel Jones, and Russell Wilson are all question marks.
It would be a shocking development for Maye to be the Week 1 starter, as Jacoby Brissett is the runaway favorite to start opening week in Cincinnati, and there is a real possibility that Maye doesn't take the reins as the starter until 2024. So Bleacher Report's decision to even include the UNC product among the list of starters is interesting.
There are also undeniably some undesirable factors for Maye heading into his rookie season. He will be under the tutelage of a first-year head coach and new offensive coordinator, and the Patriots' wide receiver room is not exactly held in high regard. Oh, and despite some offseason shuffling, this is still a team that was 4-13 a season ago.
Legendary New England quarterback Tom Brady was constantly fueled by a perceived lack of respect and doubt placed on his abilities, maybe Maye can follow in that aspect of his footsteps following this latest slight.
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