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North Carolina Tar Heels quarterback Drake Maye (10) Ken Ruinard-USA TODAY Sports

Jayden Daniels or Drake Maye? Evaluating potential Patriots QB options in NFL Draft

By Pierce Downey | Last updated 4/18/24

For the New England Patriots, the 2024 NFL Draft is one of the more intriguing and important drafts in franchise history.

Rookie head coach Jerod Mayo has a tough task: integrate youth on the roster while crafting a refreshed identity for a team that finished last season 4-13 under former legendary coach Bill Belichick.

New England's nagging quarterback problem is the focus of the offseason, and it should be addressed with the team's third overall pick. Several prospects are viable options, but few fit New England's system and situation.

USC's Caleb Williams would be a fantastic pick for New England, but he appears to be a lock to go first overall to Chicago. That leaves UNC's Drake Maye and LSU's Jayden Daniels, the second- and third-ranked QBs, respectively, per Pro Football Focus. The Patriots reportedly have shown interest in each.

Of course, one of them could go to QB-needy Washington with the second overall pick.

Here are the pros and cons for both in New England:

Daniels could thrive in New England, but getting there requires work, luck or both

Daniels' raw skills — such as his speed (reportedly 4.5 seconds in the 40-yard dash), pocket mobility and arm talent — make him a good addition to any NFL offense. However, New England's lack of offensive talent would make fully integrating the former LSU star difficult.

Daniels played at LSU with wide receivers Malik Nabers (see below video) and Brian Thomas Jr. — the second- and fourth-ranked receivers in the draft, per PFF. Each is projected as a first-round pick.

One of the best catches you'll see. The best receiver in football.

Give that man the Biletnikoff @whyguard13 pic.twitter.com/9yXWBlLTmG
— LSU Football (@LSUfootball) November 25, 2023

Meanwhile, New England's receiving talent does not come close to LSU's last season. By receiving yardage, its top receiver in 2023 was sixth-round rookie DeMario Douglas (561).

A drastic scenery change for Daniels comes with risk. Going to the mostly barren Patriots could severely affect his rookie season, which could consequently damage his development as a player.

For Daniels to work, the New England coaching staff would need to be excellent enough to help the 23-year-old overcome his rookie issues.

Maye poses schematic challenges, but his high upside makes him appealing

In February, the Patriots named Alex Van Pelt as offensive coordinator. His unique West Coast offense, which works best with a QB who is a quick ball distributor, makes the approach to drafting QBs different than usual.

Maye is more of a downfield player, throwing well at distance and expressing a preference to hold onto the ball and make big plays as they come. There is nothing wrong with Maye's methods, but they would force adaptation from New England because Maye does not fit a traditional West Coast style.

Play type, footwork and route combinations would probably have to be altered to account for Maye's game, which could lead to issues.

Drake Maye with a 46-yard TD! pic.twitter.com/5xAip71jMx
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) September 16, 2023

Still, there is no question that Maye is a great prospect. His schematic "troubles" are nothing in comparison to his talent level.

Like Daniels, Maye is more than ready for the challenge faced by an NFL rookie. With a few tweaks, he'd work well with New England, assuming he does not face significant setbacks in confidence or mentality.

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