Excitement around Drake Maye reaches new heights after recent performances

Nov 17, 2024; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye (10) walks onto the field before a game against the Los Angeles Rams at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-Imagn Images
Nov 17, 2024; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye (10) walks onto the field before a game against the Los Angeles Rams at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-Imagn Images / Brian Fluharty-Imagn Images
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Throughout the pre-draft process, there were many varying opinions on the incoming quarterback class, mostly beyond who was collectively believed to be the best of them all: USC's Caleb Williams. The next best was LSU's Jayden Daniels and UNC's Drake Maye, who rotated between being drafted by the Commanders and the Patriots in several mock drafts in the months leading up to round one.

Both were mocked as the right fit for the Patriots at one point or another, and as the draft got closer, the narratives surrounding both quarterbacks began to shift.

Daniels was then considered the best prospect by far, with Maye now being considered a "project" and someone who would need to ride the bench for up to an entire season before being considered starting caliber. That was a concerning change of opinion for the quarterback, who was mostly favored to be taken by the Patriots and might explain why he wasn't named the immediate starter upon arriving in Foxboro.

Since he took over the offense in Week 6, Maye has grown and impressed with his performance despite only adding two wins to the season. His latest game against the Rams has really ramped up the compliments, and it's now getting to the point of him being in line to be named the best quarterback of the 2024 class.

Excitement surrounding Drake Maye now has analysts declaring him the best of the 2024 Draft class

The conversation surrounding the rookie quarterback class has drastically changed over the course of the season, especially since Williams has fallen quite a bit from where he started at the beginning of the year.

Daniels has thrived in Washington, and the Commanders are on track to make the playoffs for the first time since 2020. He has brought life to an otherwise forgettable franchise and put them back on the map in the NFC East, which couldn't have come at a better time with the demise of the Cowboys this year.

Now, the excitement is behind Maye despite the Patriots having a losing season. It's clear if the quarterback was surrounded by better talent, the team would be in a far better situation than already eliminated from playoff contention before Week 12, which might explain why he's already being touted as possibly the best quarterback from the 2024 class.

The guys at Underdog Fantasy are just some of the analysts concluding Maye already, and it appears to be catching on the more he plays this season.

If there's not much positive to take away from the Patriots 2024 season, there is a lot to be excited about having Maye on the team and how far he can take them in the future. He's already shown he can be a game-changer on the field, and his natural leadership abilities are on display in every moment, all of which makes him the perfect guy for the job in New England.

Solving their quarterback problem is a big concern the Patriots no longer have to worry about moving forward. This means they can now focus on building the team around him and becoming competitive again as soon as the 2025 season. And if they can walk away with the best quarterback from the 2024 Draft, that's a cherry on top.

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