5 Patriots players whose stock is rising after OTAs

Drake Maye

Maybe it's surprising to see Drake Maye on this list, but considering he began OTAs as the third string quarterback and ended the spring practices getting the second team reps, it seems like things are moving in the right direction for the rookie.

There are clearly high expectations for the third overall pick in this year's draft, especially coming into a team with a quarterback spot up for grabs.

Although Jerod Mayo and Alex Van Pelt continue to state that Jacoby Brissett is the starter, Maye has been consistently impressive for a multitude of reasons, many of which go beyond just throwing the football.

As one of the top players of the 2024 draft class, Maye can play ball, and he's shown that plenty since joining the Patriots. A no-look throw from last week went viral online, exciting fans to see the presumed next franchise quarterback pulling off a play that Patrick Mahomes has become infamous for.

On top of that, Maye has already established a leadership role and developed a rapport with his fellow rookie teammates. It's a significantly positive sign for the 21-year-old, as his age has been a constant concern among analysts, but he's proving that not to be the case with his natural abilities to communicate and run an offense.

He's also been putting in the work, something his coaches have complimented him for several times over the last few weeks. There's still plenty for him to improve on, but he's already made noticeable strides and looks well-equipped to continue progressing as summer practices begin.