NFL insider explains rationale behind reports of Drake Maye struggling in training camp
The Patriots selected Drake Maye third overall in the 2024 NFL Draft. As a top-three selection, fans expected Drake Maye to jump off the screen in practice. However, there have been scattered reports of the rookie struggling.
That said, the coaches have reportedly blamed Drake Maye's surrounding cast more than the quarterback himself. Here's how insider Albert Breer put it via Savage in an Aug 5 post on X:
“Drake Maye has had rough moments... but New England Patriots people attribute that to him running with the second team. What’s impressed his coaches most is how good of a processor he is on the field — he can go, in his progression, from one to two to three fast, and even threw a touchdown pass to his fourth read in red-zone drills the other day.” -@savagesports_
Of course, coaches are unlikely to blame their expensive, shiny new quarterback publicly if Drake Maye busts right out of the gate. That said, Patriots fans will be relieved to hear that it has not all been difficult. At this point, the bar for the rookie is merely to show some flashes of what he could become, and as such, he has met that bar.
However, the quarterback's surrounding cast isn't set to be dominating once he gets to the first team, either. This sets the stage for a difficult showing in 2024 if he gets one.
Patriots depth chart in the spotlight
The New England Patriots have perhaps one of the weakest wide receiver rooms in the NFL in its current iteration. Defensively, the team is in decent shape. However, on the side of the ball that usually scores points, there might be only one position group of clearly defined strength this season.
The Patriots depth chart currently features a 400-yard receiver from 2022 and 2023 as its number-one receiver — that fact alone underscores the state of the room.
While a player could come out of nowhere like Puka Nacua did for the Rams last season, one can't bet on it.
Running back is likely the strength of the offense with Rhamondre Stevenson. Stevenson earned a 1000-yard season in 2022 and five touchdowns. He earned just 619 yards last year, so fans hope to see a return to form for the 26-year-old. However, at this moment, a lot of questions surround him.
Coach Jerod Mayo has a lot of work ahead to figure out the roster. With so much uncertainty surrounding the offense, it wouldn't be a stretch to believe that the roster will continue as a work-in-progress heading into the 2024 regular season.