There's been tremendous attention to and excitement about the newcomers to the Patriots' 2025 roster, and justifiably so. New head man, Mike Vrabel, the best Patriots' hire in years, has introduced a myriad of better players into his team, and expectations have risen accordingly.
Vrabel added top defenders Milton Williams, Harold Landry III, Jack Spillane, K'Lavon Chaisson, and Carlton Davis III to bolster a defense that had slid significantly over the past two seasons. These additions will complement the Pats' terrific talents, Christian Gonzalez, Christian Barmore, Keion White, and Christian Elliss, to present a formidable obstacle to NFL offenses.
Additionally, on offense, he rebuilt the porous offensive line, added top receivers in free agency, the draft, and undrafted free agency, and also added an explosive running back to the mix. That's all good, but the team will also need 2024's top breakout player to take his game to a new level in 2025.
Drake Maye heads the list of 2024's Patriots' breakout players who have to grow in 2025
Patriots Wire's Danny Jaillet has written about four Patriots players whom he believes should do even more in 2025 following their breakout 2024 seasons. They are Christian Elliss, K'Lavon Chaisson, Kayshon Boutte, and one that he thinks is obvious. Jaillet names Drake Maye, and since he has the keys to the offense, no player's growth is more important to the team than Maye's.
"This may seem like an obvious choice for this particular piece, but a strong rookie season from quarterback Drake Maye gave Patriots fans hope for a solid second year...There's hope that things will be different in 2025 with many of the upgrades on offense, including the arrival of four-time Pro Bowl wide receiver Stefon Diggs and rookie Kyle Williams.
Maye will also have a revamped offensive line with a new franchise left tackle in rookie Will Campbell...The most successful franchises build around their quarterback, and the Patriots spent the entire offseason doing that for Maye."
The young quarterback has all the makings of a superstar. His assets include great height and size, a cannon arm, the ability to throw from any angle, and top-notch running skills. All the pieces are there for Maye to emerge as one of the NFL's top quarterbacks, and this metamorphosis will begin in 2025.
Maye will build upon a superb rookie season and be a Pro Bowler again
Drake Maye's rookie season was mishandled from the outset by poor management decisions by the front office, the coaching staff, or both. He didn't receive any first-team snaps at all until about the fourth week of the season. The team erroneously deferred to their ill-advised free agent signing, journeyman, Jacoby Brissett, instead of starting Maye. It was a disaster for the 2024 Patriots.
Regardless, when he got on the field, he was brilliant. With perhaps the NFL's worst offensive line and receiving corps, he still excelled with 15 touchdowns, only 10 interceptions, and a remarkable 66 percent completion percentage. It earned him a Pro Bowl nod, as well.
As Jaillet indicated, expectations for Maye in 2025 are lofty, as well they should be. With Vrabel's massive offensive retooling, he now has a solid if not spectacular accompanying cast to help him make his mark. It will make a monumental difference. The sky is the limit for Maye and the 2025 Patriots.
Expect Maye to complete over 70 percent of his passes and throw for 25-30 touchdowns and 3,500 yards to boot. Maye will explode onto the NFL scene, just as Tom Brady did in his second year. There'll be no sophomore slump for the precocious 22-year-old. He'll lead the 2025 Patriots to the playoffs and serve notice on the AFC East and beyond: the New England Patriots are back.