AP Photo/Mark Stockwell
After months of speculation regarding what the Patriots would do with the third overall pick in this past April’s draft, the team selected quarterback Drake Maye, out of North Carolina.
Maye represents hope after the Patriots failed to develop Mac Jones under Bill Belichick. As a result, the team traded away Jones this off-season to the Jacksonville Jaguars for a sixth round pick.
The Patriots have stressed patience with Maye. They will give him a chance to compete for the starting job but they will take their time with him.
Veteran Jacoby Brissett was signed to a one year $8 million dollar contract this off-season to be the starter for this season and a mentor to Maye. The veteran quarterback was drafted by the Patriots in 2016 and he knows the new offense being installed.
Bailey Zappe returns after starting six games of last season. Zappe went 2-4 as a starter and stabilized things but he will be fighting for the third quarterback spot it appears.
The Patriots also drafted Joe Milton out of Tennessee in the sixth round of this year’s draft. Milton has size (6-5 240) and big time arm talent. He will take time to develop.
Under Contract:
Drake Maye
Jacoby Brissett
Bailey Zappe
Joe Milton
Positional Breakdown:
The Patriots will take their time with Drake Maye. Head coach Jerod Mayo has been adamant that they will develop the young quarterback the right way. Maye has the size (6-4 230), athleticism and arm talent to develop into a franchise quarterback. He does need some refinement, specifically when it comes to his footwork but once he improves in this area, he will be in position to potentially start.
I would not expect Maye to be under center Week One but he will eventually be the starter at some point this season. When he starts will depend on his development and how the season is going. If the Patriots are struggling offensively, you can bet on them turning to Maye to turn things around.
Maye’s time table will also depend on the performance of Jacoby Brissett. If Brissett plays well, he will keep the starting job until the team decides it is ready to play Maye. Brissett knows the lay of the land in New England and he knows the system Alex Van Pelt is installing. He has an advantage over the other quarterbacks on the roster in that regard.
Jerod Mayo has proclaimed Brissett the starter heading into camp.
“Coming out of the spring, I don’t think there’s any doubt Jacoby [Brissett] is the starting quarterback at this point in time. We can look at these other quarterbacks on the roster, at the same time, it’s about competition. When we get out on the field this summer, with the pads on, we’ll see how it all plays out. Coming out of the spring, I think it’s clear that Jacoby is the most pro-ready guy we have. He’s played a lot of football.”
Bailey Zappe returns after starting six games last season. Zappe took care of the ball and helped keep the team in games. He deserves the opportunity to compete for the back up job. Zappe would need a strong camp to stick. The team really likes Joe Milton and he will be given every opportunity to make the team.
Milton has the physical talent to contribute in some capacity whether it be as a back up or on the practice field as a scout team quarterback. Milton will put on a show for fans in training camp.