RADIO
It only took a couple of starts for me to start pounding the table for Drake Maye. If you just looked at the box scores, you would likely be confused as the numbers do not indicate a future fantasy star in the making. The box scores not only do not paint the full picture here, but they do you a disservice.
Watch Maye play and you will likely be quickly sold like I was. So much so that after just a handful of games, I declared him one of the best buys in dynasty leagues and compared him to one of the best fantasy QBs of all time. I only feel stronger about that now after his rookie campaign.
I understand that the stats do not do him justice, so let me explain why Drake Maye is a screaming buy in dynasty leagues right now!
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What the Film Shows
Rookie QBs historically do not put up great statistics. There is so much they need to learn on the fly and often teams and coaches do not want to put too much on their plate. If you only looked at Maye’s stats, you would not be impressed. When you put on his film, though, he jumps off the screen. There are several plays I will demonstrate this with.
As stated above, I quickly became a “Drake Maye guy” but there was one play that solidified for me that he is one of the best buys in dynasty. It came in early November against the Bears. And it was a play that did not even count!
On a 3rd-and-6, Maye, in the red zone, scrambles to extend the play, eventually reaching the sideline. Maye pumps before firing at the last minute. The announcers thought it was a simple throwaway, yet it should have been a touchdown, if not for K.J. Osborn previously stepping out of bounds.
I mean look at this! Josh Allen likepic.twitter.com/R1KKgbOuPe https://t.co/uiopckZDqI
— Michael F. Florio (@MichaelFFlorio) November 10, 2024
I watched that play and was immediately reminded of the QB I have watched the most over the years -- Josh Allen. There are not many QBs who can work the sideline like that and have a strong enough arm to make that throw. We’ve seen announcers think Allen is throwing the ball away, only for him to work his magic. Maye has that capability, but the comparison does not stop there.
In this next play, Maye drops back and trusts his arm to fit the ball in a very tight window. He places the ball perfectly between two defenders, dropping it in a bucket 30 yards down the field. What popped here was not only the ridiculous throw, but the fact that Maye has the trust and confidence in his arm to be able to make such a difficult throw -- all while making it look relatively easy. Coincidentally, that play occurred with Josh Allen on the other sideline.
I’ve been saying this for a while now, but if you watch Drake Maye play it’s evident he has that special play maker gene that you can’t teach. Reminds me of early career Josh
Pats going to give him a line and some weapons and watch out
— Michael F. Florio (@MichaelFFlorio) December 23, 2024
This next play is a thing of beauty. Maye, with the game on the line, uses his legs to move around the pocket and give his pass-catchers more time to get open. He avoids at least three Titans defenders, sidestepping one with ease, before throwing with two defenders draped on him and another quickly closing in.
There are very few QBs who have the athleticism to extend the play for as long as Maye did and even fewer who can do so and have the arm strength to make the throw that he did. Add in the poise that the rookie shows knowing this is the final play of the game and you see why it is such an impressive play. If you covered up the jerseys, you may think that was Allen or Joe Burrow out there.
Drake Maye has the capability to be special in this league pic.twitter.com/BklWcSytdl
— Michael F. Florio (@MichaelFFlorio) November 3, 2024
If you thought I was done comparing Maye to the best QBs in the NFL, you are mistaken. This play (as stated in the original tweet) is very Allen or Patrick Mahomes-like. Once again, Maye avoids pressure and extends the play with his legs. He knows he is not going to be able to run it in himself, but he still draws the defenders his way before flipping the ball at the last possible second. That is a pure instinct that the great playmakers just have.
Drake Maye is a legit playmaker. Saying for a while he reminds me of a young Josh Allen - my top buy in dynasty right now! https://t.co/3YufISF92O
— Michael F. Florio (@MichaelFFlorio) December 16, 2024
Maye also has a fantastic arm. Here is one example of that. Maye wisely identifies the free play opportunity, and while dropping back with a defender about to come crashing into him, he airs it out deep and places the ball where only his receiver could get to it. There is no shortage of big throws from Maye and all you have to do is watch his highlights to see it on display.
Drake Maye has basically the same circumstances as Caleb.
Maye just balls. No excuses. Just balls out
— Jacob Gibbs (@jagibbs_23) December 28, 2024
Here is another play that shows off the ridiculous arm strength the rookie QB possesses.
This Drake Maye TD is a very "Robo QB" play.
It's a good play. It's an excellent display of physical ability.
It has former GMs in media excited.
It happens rarely compared to all the other things that make/break a QB. I'm relieved to see some of those things in Maye. pic.twitter.com/1BQ0F3cGSv
— Matt Waldman (@MattWaldman) December 4, 2024
Here is one more for you!
Patriots Kayshon Boutte w/ Drake Maye is going to be the closest thing we get to a Nico Collins 2.0 after he got CJ Stroud
Year 3 breakout incoming
pic.twitter.com/n1RriuSnko— Football Fanatics (@FFB_Fanatics) February 5, 2025
Maye can add value with his legs as well. He often extends plays with his legs to give his playmakers added time to get open and to allow him to air it out downfield. He is capable of being a straight-up runner as well. Former head coach Jerod Mayo indicated last season that Maye could run more, but they didn’t want him to take unnecessary hits or risk injury in a year like they were having. That is a smart long-term approach by the organization, but do not be fooled, fantasy managers. Maye is capable of doing stuff like this.
DRAKE MAYE. 17-yard rushing TD for the rookie!
📺: #NYJvsNE on CBS/Paramount+
📱: https://t.co/waVpO909ge pic.twitter.com/QCLpeTf9xG— NFL (@NFL) October 27, 2024
The film shows a budding star and a problem for the other 31 NFL teams. Not only does Maye have the physical tools to be a good athlete, but he can use his legs and have a cannon for an arm. He also demonstrated poise, which was a concern coming out of college.
For me, the biggest thing is he has the playmaker gene that you simply cannot teach. The great ones like Mahomes, Allen, Burrow, Lamar Jackson, Jayden Daniels, etc. all can throw the cape on and go full Superman mode when they have to.
When I watch Maye play both during the season and even more so now going back and watching again, I cannot help but be reminded of an early career Josh Allen. The flashes and tools are all there, and once they become more consistent, watch out. And there are plenty of reasons to think things will only get better in New England moving forward.
Why Things Will Get Better For Drake Maye
Numerous indicators show that Maye was playing behind the worst pass-blocking offensive line in the NFL last season. The Patriots allowed their QBs to be under pressure on a league-high 41 percent of their dropbacks. They allowed the most quick QB pressures and the second-most unblocked QB pressures. Simply put, that is not good.
Reminder:
This is what Drake Maye had to deal with in 2024.
📸: @benbbaldwin pic.twitter.com/FUvAmpl9ps
— Savage (@SavageSports_) February 5, 2025
The pass-catchers were also not much to write home about. Last season, Patriots pass-catchers averaged 3.3 yards of separation, per Next Gen Stats, which ranked seventh lowest in the NFL.
Maye's top targets were Hunter Henry and DeMario Douglas. No disrespect to them, as they are very serviceable NFL players, but they are more complementary pieces than build the passing attack around them kind of talents. You could argue that Maye had the worst combination of offensive line and pass-catchers in the NFL last season.
The Patriots are in a great place moving forward, though. They brought in Mike Vrabel, who has a great reputation and history of success as a head coach in the NFL. Maye’s new OC will be Josh McDaniels, who has had a lot of success in this role in New England. Many times, his offenses have finished inside the top 10 in passing yards and touchdowns. This feels like an upgrade after having a first-time head coach and a play-caller who was calling plays in the NFL for the first time since 2009.
Coaching and play-calling are extremely important in the NFL, especially for a young QB. That is not the only reason for optimism, though. The Patriots have the most cap space in the NFL heading into free agency. They also have the fourth overall pick and four inside the top 80 picks in this year's NFL Draft.
Between the money and the draft picks they have at their exposure, there is an easy case to be made that the Patriots have the most capital this offseason. They have made it clear that their top priority is building around their young QB.
We saw the flashes and potential as a rookie, but with a better-supporting cast, Maye has the potential to finish as a QB1 as a sophomore and beyond. And being a QB1 may just be the floor (no pun intended), as the ceiling is he becomes a mainstay as a top-5 fantasy QB. The upside is very high and we have just scratched the surface with what the production could look like.
I am VERY excited about Drake Maye and think you dynasty players should trade for him ASAP! pic.twitter.com/oqbDRCQtTh
— Michael F. Florio (@MichaelFFlorio) January 5, 2025
One thing I said numerous times in-season -- if you could go back to 2019 and trade for Josh Allen in a dynasty league, you would. Maye’s play has reminded me of an early career Allen, and while there is no guarantee he will take the massive leap that Allen took, the potential is there. The early career flashes make him a great gamble in dynasty leagues.
With QBs not only scoring the most fantasy points but having the longest careers, I think there is an easy argument that Maye is the best buy in dynasty formats right now!
Make sure to follow Michael on X, @MichaelFFlorio.
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