Former UNC QB, Patriots’ top pick Drake Maye to start for New England :: WRALSportsFan.com
Former North Carolina quarterback Drake Maye, the No. 3 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, will get his first career start on Sunday for the New England Patriots against the Houston Texans, according to multiple reports.
The Patriots (1-4) have started veteran Jacoby Brissett at quarterback for the first five games. Brissett, who played at NC State, has struggled. He’s completed 58.5 percent of his passes for 696 yards and two touchdowns. New England won the season opener, but has lost four straight.
ESPN, NFL.com and The Athletic all reported the move to Maye as a starter.
Maye played at the end of the Patriots’ 24-3 loss to the New York Jets on Sept. 19, completing 4-of-8 passes for 22 yards. He was sacked twice.
The top three picks in the 2024 NFL Draft were quarterbacks. Chicago’s Caleb Williams and Washington’s Jayden Daniels have started every game. The Bears are 3-2 behind Williams, and the Commanders are 4-1 behind Daniels. Denver is also starting Bo Nix, a first-round pick.
Maye, who is from Charlotte, was the 2022 ACC Player of the Year when he threw for 4,321 yards and 38 touchdowns. He added another 698 yards and seven touchdowns rushing. Maye threw for 3,608 yards in 2023, accounting for 33 total touchdowns.
Source: wralsportsfan.com