AFC staff evaluates Patriots QB prospects ahead of NFL Draft

The Patriots welcomed Maye and Daniels (along with Williams and Michigan quarterback JJ McCarthy) to Gillette Stadium for a 30 official visit last week, however, league executives remain divided on which top quarterbacks should be on the roster. second and third choice.

“If I had to put a guy on the field right now, I’d be on the young LSU side (against North Carolina’s Drake Maye),” an AFC coordinator said, according to NFL Media’s Tom Pelissero.

The Heisman Trophy winner has the athleticism and football savvy to make any scout drool. The FBS passing leader threw 40 touchdowns last season with just four interceptions (72.2 percent passing).

“It seems like he’s more ready to digest an NFL game plan, follow progressions, make decisions on time, distribute the ball, and then he also has elite running skills,” added the coordinator.

As for Maye, the 21-year-old quarterback is the prototype NFL quarterback. However, his somewhat tumultuous record at North Carolina (UNC ushered in new offensive coordinator Chip Lindsey just before the 2023 season) has led some scouts to doubt his professional preparation.

“The best thing that can happen to him is to sit for a year, and then I think if he goes to a good place and he learns – and it seems like he’s a good kid and he’ll do whatever it takes – it We will eventually succeed,” said another AFC coordinator.

There are a handful of stories – especially in recent years – of quarterbacks who found success after spending their rookie year behind a veteran. Just as often, a rookie quarterback is added as a starter to an already struggling team, hurting his confidence and stunting his development (see: Mac Jones).

“If he were to play early for a bad team, I think that could set him back and that would worry me. He’s more of a tool than a complete player, for me, at the moment. It misses things it shouldn’t, just in terms of accuracy. There are things he leaves there that he has to clean up.

Yet before Lindsey’s move, Maye was one of the most productive quarterbacks in college football during his sophomore 2022 season. He totaled 4,321 passing yards and 38 touchdown passes, even adding seven more touchdowns on the race. His numbers earned him a spot in the top 5 in FBS, before dropping slightly in 2023.

Wolf, touting a “draft and develop” system, could be ready to make a bid on the 2022 ACC Rookie of the Year and Player of the Year.

“To me, he’s perfect for New England (who has the third pick) because they have Jacoby (Brissett). I think it would be perfect there to sit for a year. This is the largest type with high ceilings and low floors. Because he’s immature. Not bad immature – he’s like a child,” said an AFC assistant coach.

Still, one longtime NFL insider believes each of the projected first-round quarterbacks has the skill set to start the 2024 season.

“They are all different. They’re all good guys. They’re all pretty smart,” he told Pelissero.

The first round of the 2024 NFL Draft will begin on April 25 at 8 p.m.