Drake Maye's arm talent and mental faculties garnered praise among analysts and decision-makers alike ahead of the 2024 NFL Draft. On Thursday, he showed off why.
Maye, the No. 3 overall pick in this year's draft, put forth a promising display in his second preseason game, flashing the sort of liveliness and poise befitting of a top-five selection. His new employers, the Patriots, were more than pleased, with head coach Jerod Mayo heaping adulation on the North Carolina product. It was easy to see why.
The 21-year-old signal-caller received just one series of action in his preseason debut, which was felled by a lengthy rain delay. His encore showing proved a far more compelling watch this time around. And for that, New England fans will be grateful.
Here's a look at the numbers behind Maye's impressive performance against Philadelphia.
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Drake Maye stats vs. Eagles in second preseason game
Maye led the troops out on four separate occasions on Thursday. He cut a calm figure in the pocket, tossing feathers across the green to the tune of 6-of-11 passing for 47 yards.
The lanky hurler trotted onto the field in the second quarter, unfettered by the Pats' inability to create much of anything with starter Jacoby Brissett under center. He proceeded to enliven what looked to be a dour New England attack, finding his targets with eye-catching consistency while working through his progressions.
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"One of the reasons we drafted Drake was, you know, through the interview process you could kind of tell this was an even-keeled guy," Mayo said postgame. "I think you guys can probably see it from the stands. This guy doesn't get too high, doesn't get too low. He was like that in college, he probably was like that as a kid, and he remains that way now, which is a good thing for a quarterback.
Those guys have to maintain their composure and get the call to the huddle and get those guys out the huddle and be ready to go. He's always been like that in my mind."
Maye's composure was on full display during his four-series odyssey. The Patriots offense sprang to life with Maye under center, scoring 10 points under Maye's tutelage. New England recorded just three points without him leading the attack.
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There were moments of vigor from the Patriots newcomer, both in the pocket and outside of it. Maye added 15 yards on four carries, one of which resulted in his first career touchdown.
All told, it was a solid day at the office for Maye, who looked in control for much of his stint in Mayo's offense on Thursday. Mayo reiterated as much, telling reporters that the rookie QB"definitely took a step forward" during the contest. Mayo also revealed that the battle for QB1 between Brissett and Maye is still brewing.
"We have three more days of training camp practices, and it's our job as coaches to evaluate and the competition isn't over. They have to show not only themselves and the coaches [but] also their teammates," Mayo said, per ESPN.
| Stat | Total |
| Comp/Attempt (%) | 6/11 (54.5%) |
| Passing yards | 47 |
| Passing TDs | 0 |
| Fumbles (Lost) | 0 |
| Yards/attempt | 4.3 |
| Passer rating | 65.3 |
| Rushing attempts | 4 |
| Rushing yards | 15 |
| Rushing TDs | 1 |
| Yards/attempt | 3.8 |
Drake Maye highlights vs. Eagles
Most of Maye's work came in the short-to-intermediate pass game, where he flashed quick decision-making and precise arm-accuracy to keep Philadelphia's defense at bay.
His first drive started with a flourish, as Maye found Javon Baker streaking across the middle of the field for a 12-yard gain. The pass, coupled with a 15-yard roughing the passer penalty incurred later in the drive, set up the Pats for their first score of the game, a long-range field goal.
— NFL (@NFL) August 15, 2024Rookie to rookie.
Drake Maye finds Javon Baker to move the sticks ➡️
📺: #PHIvsNE on @NFLNetwork
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/6hNa58n3jv
Maye added to his collection of highlights on his second drive, hitting JaMycal Hasty on a screen that garnered 23 yards. Although not an especially impressive throw, Maye's execution helped New England move the chains on third-and-long.
Our own @MycHasty !
— Team Sports Agency (@TSportsAgency) August 16, 2024
Credit @nfl: @Patriots dial up HB screen at perfect time, yielding Maye's 23-yard completion to Hasty.
Pats dial up HB screen at perfect time, yielding NE Patriots rookie quarterback Drake Maye's 23-yard completion to running back JaMycal Hasty. @DrakeMaye2 pic.twitter.com/RSqIZRM1yy
Shortly thereafter, Maye made his pilgrimage to the end zone, faking the handoff to Rhamondre Stevenson before trotting into paydirt unscathed.
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) August 16, 2024The rooks first score!@DrakeMaye2 | @NFL
The touchdown was the clear high-water mark for Maye on Thursday night. However, he may have had an even better moment later in the matchup when he tossed a heave toward Baker. For a moment, it appeared as if Baker had reeled in the unruly pass. However, the ball just spurned his leaping grasp, falling harmlessly to the turf.
— FOLLOW @_MLFootball (@MlVideos27) August 16, 2024
Nevertheless, the throw was a gleaming indication of Maye's golden trebuchet. Patriots supporters will be hoping it's the first of many.
