How Drake Maye Fared vs All Rookies Since Tom Brady? Patriots Rookies Compared After End of OTAs & Minicamps

The New England Patriots quarterback carousel has taken an exciting spin with rookie Drake Maye at the helm. Fresh out of North Carolina, Maye’s spring performance has set Foxborough abuzz, outshining veteran Jacoby Brissett and leaving fans dreaming of the next Tom Brady. After a slow start, Maye displayed why the Patriots opted to make him the number 3 overall Draft pick.

But hold your horses. We’ve seen this rodeo before. Remember when Mac Jones was the chosen one? Or when Bailey Zappe fever swept through New England faster than a nor’easter? Here’s the kicker: Maye’s numbers aren’t just good—they’re better than both Jones and Zappe’s rookie springs. Let’s dive into the stats and see if Maye’s got the goods to be the next Brady, or if he’ll end up riding the bench faster than you can say “deflated footballs.”

Is Drake Maye’s rookie numbers a touchdown or just a field goal?

Mark Daniels of Mass Live recently broke down the rookie’s impressive stats. Maye completed 73% of his passes (56-of-77) during team drills, outshining veteran Jacoby Brissett’s 59% (54-of-92). It’s like watching a rookie quarterback play Madden in easy mode. But here’s the twist: Maye threw three picks, while Brissett kept a clean sheet. The rookie’s accuracy is turning many heads, including professional and expert.

Maye’s performance isn’t just good—it’s historically impressive for Patriots rookies. In 2021, Mac Jones hit 66% (57-of-87) with three interceptions. Meanwhile, Bailey Zappe managed 67% (22-of-33) with two picks in 2022. Even 2016 rookie Brissett’s 75% (69-of-92) with two interceptions doesn’t overshadow Maye’s showing. For context, in that same 2016 spring, Brady completed a whopping 78% (88-of-113) with just one interception.

However, Maye often faced the second-team defense, while Brissett battled the starters. Plus, as coach Jerod Mayo noted to ESPN, “We know there are going to be some down days.” The playbook was also simplified for Maye, while Brissett ran the full offense. This explains why Brissett’s completion percentage (59%) is lower than the typical 70% seen in these drills.

Still, Maye’s potential is undeniable. His rapid improvement throughout OTAs and minicamps suggests he’s not just another flash in the pan.

In the OTAs, he played third fiddle with veterans Brissett and Zappe. By spring’s end, he was taking reps right behind Brissett, climbing the depth chart fast. This fast progress would be welcomed by those who hope to see him start the season opener in Cincinnati on September 8, replacing Brissett.

Maye said, “I feel like I’ve made some progress,” but admitted, “At the same time, I have a lot of work to go. I still haven’t even been touched out there. It’s different taking hits from those guys, some big dudes up front.” The real test comes when the big boys start bringing the heat.

During the Patriots’ final minicamp, Drake Maye finished 7-for-11 in competitive 11-on-11 work. He threw for three touchdown passes in those periods but also had one pass picked off and two more broken up. If this would have been an NFL game, he would have been sacked on two more reps.

But his coach sounds confident and is backing him. After the minicamp, Jerod Mayo said, “He’s going in the right direction. Now, in saying that, we know there are going to be some down days. That’s one thing that I’ve been trying to stress to him is, “Alright, just keep chipping at the rock, get one percent better every day. It’s not always going to be great. He’s done a good job.”

Maye has also got offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt, overseeing his development. Van Pelt boasts a good track record with quarterbacks and as such Maye will have every tool at his disposal to find success at the Patriots.

Becoming a mainstay at the Patriots isn’t only about churning up good numbers in minicamp, it has got a lot to do with keeping your head in the game and not letting the outside noise affect you. Patriots icon Tom Brady also gave Mayo similar advice in a recent interview.

Tom Brady gives Maye a gameplan on how to “attack his profession”

Who better to give advice on becoming a Patriots legend than Tom Brady himself? The GOAT stressed the importance of surrounding yourself with the right people. “It’s not where you’re at when you’re 22. It’s who you’re around when you’re 22,” Brady said in an interview with Yahoo Sports’ Charles Robinson on June 14.

He emphasized looking up to great quarterbacks and learning from tough coaches – the same recipe that turned a sixth-round pick into a seven-time Super Bowl champ.

It looks like Drake Maye isn’t just slinging ‘pigskins’; he’s building a foundation. His post-practice sessions with Ja’Lynn Polk are paying dividends. As Polk revealed to ESPN, “The drive before, Drake goes ‘be ready.'”

This chemistry led to a game-winning TD in their final minicamp practice, sparking a celebration that had the defense dropping for pushups. It’s the kind of moment that builds team spirit faster than a no-huddle offense.

But Maye’s growth isn’t just about touchdowns. He’s adapting to the NFL game, learning to take snaps under center and aligning his left foot in the shotgun – techniques that are new to him. As he puts it, “More and more, the huddle calls are coming together. I don’t sound like I’m fumbling words in there.” It’s this attention to detail that could make him the next big thing in New England.

Maye is now armed with impressive stats, a budding connection with his receivers, and wisdom from the greatest to ever do it. Will it be enough to make him the next Patriots legend? Only time will tell. But one thing’s for sure – all eyes will be on number 10 when the pads come on. The future of Foxborough football might just be in Drake Maye’s hands.