4 reasons Patriots have a top Offensive Rookie of the Year candidate

The New England Patriots will begin training camp with expectations from most observers and prognosticators of absolutely nothing. They’re perceived as a last-place team and a strong candidate for the top pick in the 2025 NFL draft.

These experts and their followers may all be wrong. That happens if the Patriots use their heads and do one thing from the start of camp. If so, they can alter this scenario, do great things, and even make the playoffs. They have a rookie who can help make all that happen.

Drake Maye is the guy with that kind of potential. Here's how and why they can create this alternative reality. And, as one New England Patriots' all-time great, Tedy Bruschi once said, shock the world. Do the right things, and it can happen.

Why Drake Maye can be the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year

The commentary about Drake Maye’s potential is all over the board. Some say he'll play some; others, he’ll play later; or even, he’ll redshirt the entire year, the most ridiculous take of all. Redshirting a third-overall pick for whatever reason this team could dream up is totally absurd.

The only right move is to start the rookie from Day One of camp and let him rock. The view from here is he has what it takes to be the NFL's Offensive Rookie of the Year if he gets the playing time. Here are four main reasons why.

First, assuming Maye starts, he’ll have a chance to learn on the job. A couple of early losses while improving and acclimatizing are no great impediments to having a winning season. A 9-7 record may even be good enough to make the playoffs, in as tough a division as the AFC East.

Second, Maye will be better than the 2023 QBs the instant he steps onto the field in a real game for the Patriots. His dual-threat capability is a super-plus. His being a threat to run, not merely scramble, benefits the entire offense, even if he rarely tucks the ball under his arm and takes off. Additionally, he can make any throws he needs to, whether from a clean pocket or on the run.

Third, the rookie can easily improve on the Patriots’ 4-13 season when they had almost no
offense at all. Even without a left tackle, if the new offensive staff can devise a mobile offense for him, and stresses his protecting the ball, he'll score enough points to win. Those qualities and his leadership ability will provide confidence that the 2023 offense never had in itself.

Fourth, the quality of his defense will greatly enhance his likelihood of winning and cementing his spot as Offensive Rookie of the Year. That side of the ball was really good last season. It will be even better in 2024. With a healthy Matt Judon and Christian Gonzalez returning, it can be a top-five defense in the NFL.

These are four reasons why Drake Maye can capture the NFL's Offensive Rookie of the Year award. Ironically, the only impediment to that prediction is the Patriots themselves. If they foolishly waste his talents by keeping him on the bench, they'll flop and finish the season looking up at all the other AFC East teams in the standings again.

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