(Photo : Tim Warner/Getty Images) HOUSTON, TEXAS – C.J. Stroud of the Houston Texans poses with Jon Singleton (#28) of the Houston Astros and Astros mascot Orbit after throwing out the primary pitch earlier than the sport in opposition to the Atlanta Braves at Minute Maid Park on April 15, 2024 in Houston, Texas. All gamers are carrying the quantity 42 in honor of Jackie Robinson Day.
If CJ Stroud is to be believed, the New England Patriots might have discovered a rookie who can rapidly get them again into playoff rivalry.
Stroud, final yr’s No. 1 general draft decide who led the Houston Texans to their first postseason in 4 years, believes Drake Maye is probably the most NF-ready among the many crop of rookies for 2024.
The Patriots chosen 21-year-old quarterback Maye, who performed three years for the North Carolina Tar Heels.
Head coach Jerod Mayo and the remainder of the group anticipated his choice based mostly on draft projections within the months main as much as Thursday’s alternatives.
Not solely does Stroud consider that Maye is probably the most NFL-ready, however he additionally sees himself in him.
“You watch his tape, just his arm talent jumps off for me. He’s one guy that like to me, the one makes what I did early on,” he mentioned.
The 2023 Offensive Rookie of the Year is particularly bought on Maye’s knack for scrambling for the ball, similar to him.
“First couple of games, I moved around too much. I didn’t get out the ball in time,” Stroud began when requested about extra of his opinion about Maye.
“I started taking risks that I wouldn’t [call] necessary scrambling. When you watch his tapes, he scrambles when he needs to. He throws guys open. He has raw ability, like different arm angles.”
He even in contrast this perspective on the sector to the very best NBA defenders and offensive gamers, who pressure their strategy to a sure spot to get the very best alternatives.
Patriots’ draft course of
Maye is the third quarterback to be drafted by the Patriots within the widespread period. The first two have been additionally drafted No. 1 general.
The Patriots are searching for a return to the highest publish that they had not skilled since Tom Brady left them in 2019. Brady led them to 6 Super Bowls.
Long-time coach Bill Belichick had additionally left them, with Jerod Mayo taking on.
Maye has been below the Patriots’ radar since he declared for the draft.
Scouting director Eliot Wolf and Mayo noticed Maye final month at North Carolina’s professional day.
The 22-year-old didn’t disappoint on and off the sector, as his outgoing character made it simpler for the workforce to think about him.
In phrases of bodily attributes, Maye is an imposing presence, standing at 6’4 and 230 kilos with 32.5 inches arm size.
“He brings a lot of energy. You can tell he has that leadership ability,” Mayo mentioned after a go-see for Maye final March.
“The exciting part about a guy like Drake Maye, there is really no ceiling with a guy like that. But you also have to look at how low is the floor. I would say a guy like Drake Maye-he has a lot of room to grow. He’s a young guy. Honestly, he hasn’t played football nearly as much as these other guys.”
Maye had his finest yr with Tar Heels in 2022, profitable the ACC Player of the Year award after throwing for 4,321 yards and 38 touchdowns.
His 2023 season was not as productive, but it surely was nonetheless spectacular. He recorded 3,608 yards and 24 touchdowns whereas including 449 yards and 9 touchdowns on the bottom.
Related article: 2024 NFL Draft Needs – Here’s What Every AFC Team Must Address within the Draft This Week
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