Patriots defensive legend has strong take on Drake Maye

Leading up to and since the Patriots drafted him, opinions of Drake Maye have been very much all over the place. Some analysts felt he was easily a top three of his draft class, with some even suggesting he might be better than Jayden Daniels, while others believe he will become an inevitable bust.

Clearly, the Patriots disagree, hence selecting him with the third overall pick, and based on what he's demonstrated on and off the field so far, it's hard not to see what Jerod Mayo and Eliot Wolf believe in his potential.

Maye has already impressed his teammates with his desire to learn and improve and his natural leadership, an essential aspect of any quarterback's career. The locker room seems excited about the potential he will bring to the team, which couldn't be said about the last few years.

There's a lot of pressure on him to succeed, not just because the Patriots used a high draft pick on him but also because there is a quarterback vacancy that needs to be filled. The team is used to success and wants to become a competitive team again, meaning Maye has a big opportunity to take over the Patriots and become the face of the franchise.

It might be big shoes to fill, but plenty of current and former Patriots believe the team made the right decision by selecting Maye. One of the more recent respected veterans who supports the young quarterback is Vince Wilfork, who shared his approval while speaking to Musket Fire last week.

Vince Wilfork has a lot of belief in Drake Maye to succeed with the Patriots

The inconsistency of reviews regarding Maye's potential and performance through spring practices creates a bit of uneasiness around New England. Although he's impressed coaches and teammates, there are concerns about his position and the "lack of supporting cast" around him determining his future.

It's never easy to be the face of a rebuild, but Wilfork believes he is the right guy for the job and has all the attributes a quarterback needs to succeed.

"I love the pick. I mean, I think this year's quarterback draft was pretty strong. And I think if you needed to try to find a franchise, this was the year to do it. And I think they did what they had to do. I really like him. I like what he brings. I like his attributes. I like his size. And, you know, I like the person that he is.

He's he's very coachable. He loves his team, and he loves the game, and he works hard. So I think it'll work out. it'll take time. That quarterback position is pretty tough. And I think, you know, with offensive coordinator [Alex] Van Pelt, I think he will be okay. "

When the Patriots return to Foxboro for training camp next month, a lot will be determined, with the quarterback competition being one of the most highly anticipated in recent memory. Jacoby Brissett is the unofficial starter for Week 1, but Maye looks to have all the tools to potentially oust him throughout the summer.

Clearly, he already has support internally and from those who once played for the Patriots, which is great to have at such an early part of his career. Hopefully, we will see him thrive, and we won't have to worry about the quarterback position for many years to come.

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