New England Patriots
Maye’s throwing ability and chemistry with pass-catchers are among the reasons why Rob Gronkowski called Maye an “ideal” quarterback
Drake Maye AP Photo/Charles Krupa
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Two of the top three quarterbacks taken in the 2024 NFL Draft will face off Thursday when Drake Maye and the Patriots visit Caleb Williams and the Seahawks.
Maye has experienced more early success, having played in a Super Bowl, finished second in last year’s MVP voting, and been selected for two Pro Bowls.
However, the former Heisman winner and No. 1 overall pick has an upside that could lead to more production down the road.
Both quarterbacks have led their teams to 4-2 records this season.
“They’re both in the right situations, they really are,” former Patriots tight-end Rob Gronkowski said during an appearance on Up&Adams. “I feel like Ben Johnson hit a home run when he landed with the head coaching situation with Caleb there.”
“It’s so hard because the systems – you’ve got to have the quarterback for the system that you’re presenting to the table as an offensive coordinator and an organization. I feel like they both landed in the right places, there’s no doubt about that.”
Gronkowski later explained why he thinks Maye is the better quarterback.
“This is tough, it really is, but I’m going to go with Drake Maye. I just like the touch on his ball. I feel like Drake Maye would be, for me, as well as a player he would be the ideal quarterback. I’m not saying I wouldn’t have chemistry with Caleb but I feel like Drake Maye would be able to be on the same page with the chemistry going into games.”
“I feel like the way he processes defenses is going to to get better and better and better, so I would chose Drake Maye. I think he has the advantage in this one.”
Both Maye and Williams had complimentary things to say about each other this week.
“I’ve kind of grown up with Drake,” Williams said. “Throughout the years we’ve been in the same class for a while. We’ve been to so many camps. Probably one of the guys I’m closer to in my class or on another team if anybody, so being able to grow up and be around each other has been fun. His mobility and things like that has been a weapon for him throughout college, high school, and all of that.”
Maye said the way Williams plays the game is cool and fun to watch.
“Him in the pocket, I don’t know if he can do some of the things he does,” Maye said. “He’s special in the way he can move and kind of escape and evade pressure. [Him] throwing on the run is pretty cool to watch. I don’t know if I’m that shifty in the pocket. He can do some cool things and he’s got crazy arm talent and it’s fun to watch.”
Khari A. Thompson
Khari Thompson covers professional sports for Boston.com. Before joining the team in 2022, Khari covered college football for The Clarion Ledger in Jackson, Miss.
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