Could Drake Maye Lead the Patriots to the Playoffs Next Season?
In the post Tom Brady era, New England has struggled to find the answer at quarterback. For decades, Patriot fans were treated to the best quarterback of all-time, and then they were subjected to very mediocre quarterback play from the likes of Cam Newton and Mac Jones. However, with a talent like Drake Maye, New England might finally be poised for a breakout over the next few years if they can acquire the right pieces to put around him. Despite the 4-13 season they just endured, there is a very clear path for the Patriots to sneak into the playoffs as early as next year. So what do they need to do to get back into playoff contention?
Firstly, they need to get Drake Maye some help at the wide receiver position. New England had some of the worst receivers in the NFL at creating space for Maye to throw into. Luckily for the Patriots this offseason, there are several receivers out there either who have been released or are on the trade block for them to go out and get. These receivers include D.K. Metcalf, Davante Adams, Chris Godwin, and many more. With the type of cap space New England has at their disposal this offseason, they should go get at least one of these veteran receivers.
With all this said, the success of New England next season will ultimately come down to the play of Drake Maye. Although his stats didn’t look great this season, it is clear that he certainly has the physical tools to play at a high level. In the modern NFL, you have to have a quarterback who can throw the ball well from the pocket and be able to scramble and make big plays when called upon. If the offensive line can provide Maye with time in the pocket, he will be able to play entirely differently from how he looked this past season. In the few times this season, Maye got time to throw in the pocket, he was able to throw the ball with deadly accuracy all over the field. With some offensive line and receiver help, Maye could look like an entirely different quarterback next season and could prove crucial to his development as a franchise quarterback. With Maye’s development, combined with an easy home schedule, New England could very easily be a wild card team next year. New England is potentially sitting on a gold mine with Drake Maye, and all they need are the tools to see his potential become unlocked.
