If CJ Stroud is to be believed, the New England Patriots may have found a rookie who can quickly get them back into playoff contention.
Stroud, last year's No. 1 overall draft pick who led the Houston Texans to their first postseason in four years, believes Drake Maye is the most NF-ready among the crop of rookies for 2024.
The Patriots selected 21-year-old quarterback Maye, who played three years for the North Carolina Tar Heels.
Head coach Jerod Mayo and the rest of the organization expected his selection based on draft projections in the months leading up to Thursday's selections.
Not only does Stroud believe that Maye is the most NFL-ready, but he also sees himself in him.
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"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 said.
The 2023 Offensive Rookie of the Year is especially sold on Maye's knack for scrambling for the ball, just like him.
"First couple of games, I moved around too much. I didn't get out the ball in time," Stroud started when asked about more 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 compared this attitude on the field to the best NBA defenders and offensive players, who force their way to a certain spot to get the best opportunities.
Patriots' draft process
Maye is the third quarterback to be drafted by the Patriots in the common era. The first two were also drafted No. 1 overall.
The Patriots are seeking a return to the top post they had not experienced since Tom Brady left them in 2019. Brady led them to six Super Bowls.
Long-time coach Bill Belichick had also left them, with Jerod Mayo taking over.
Maye has been under the Patriots' radar since he declared for the draft.
Scouting director Eliot Wolf and Mayo saw Maye last month at North Carolina's pro day.
The 22-year-old did not disappoint on and off the field, as his outgoing personality made it easier for the team to consider him.
In terms of physical attributes, Maye is an imposing presence, standing at 6'4 and 230 pounds with 32.5 inches arm length.
"He brings a lot of energy. You can tell he has that leadership ability," Mayo said after a go-see for Maye last 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 best year with Tar Heels in 2022, winning 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 was still impressive. He recorded 3,608 yards and 24 touchdowns while adding 449 yards and nine touchdowns on the ground.
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