Any NFL team needs a foundational or cornerstone player around whom to build a winning franchise. In many cases, it's a top quarterback, without which an NFL team's chances of winning big are slim. The New England Patriots fortunately have such a foundational piece on hand in their young quarterback, Drake Maye, who also happens to be one of the NFL's ascending young passers.
FanSided's Mike Phillips recently compiled a list of cornerstone young players for each NFL team, and there should have been no doubt that his choice for the Patriots would be Drake Maye.
"This was one of the easiest picks on the board as Maye is one of the studs from the 2024 rookie class, playing at an MVP level last season to help the Patriots return to the Super Bowl ahead of schedule," Phillips wrote. "New England made some significant investments at receiver this offseason, including a trade for A.J. Brown, to help Maye level up even further as they try to defend their AFC championship."
Drake Maye is everything the Patriots want in a franchise cornerstone
There are few NFL players who better qualify for a young cornerstone label than Drake Maye. He's the prototypical young quarterback around whom an NFL team should be built.
Fortunately, after a difficult rookie season in 2024, Maye exploded onto the NFL scene in 2025. He took full advantage of the much-improved roster and culture head coach Mike Vrabel brought to Foxborough.
Phillips' analysis is concise and right to the point. Maye was terrific in 2025 and with his enhanced receiving corps led by A.J. Brown and Romeo Doubs, he'll be poised for an even better 2026 season. Trade acquisition Brown and free agent Doubs will immediately assume the top two wideout roles on the Patriots. That represents an upgrade at both starting receiver spots over last season.
Drake Maye was arguably the NFL's MVP in 2025, missing the award by a single first-place vote. Regardless, Maye is poised to build on that success with Brown and Doubs reeling in his passes.
Anticipating a big year from Maye, perhaps coupled with an MVP nod, isn't at all unrealistic for 2026. Now with more talent in the wide receiver room, almost anything is achievable for the young superstar in the making and his team.
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