There were rumors that the Pats could trade down
Despite all the rumors about J.J. McCarthy climbing up the rankings, it always seemed to appear that Drake Maye would be the third overall pick - the question in recent days, though, was which team would be taking him?
Well, the New England Patriots apparently never got an offer they couldn't refuse, and Maye is headed to Foxboro.
Maye had long been the second-best quarterback of this class behind No. 1 pick Caleb Williams, but Jayden Daniels’ Heisman Trophy-winning season catapulted him over Maye - the Washington Commanders selected him at No. 2.
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Drake Maye #10 of the North Carolina Tar Heels looks to pass against the Syracuse Orange during their game at Kenan Memorial Stadium on October 07, 2023 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. The Tar Heels won 40-7. (Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
In his two seasons at UNC (26 games), Maye, a part of the legendary Tar Heel family, threw for 7,929 yards on a 64.9% completion rate – he threw for 62 touchdowns against 16 interceptions while running for 16 more scores. He was All-ACC First-team in 2022 and Second-team this past season. He had 3,608 passing yards and 24 touchdown passes for North Carolina this season.
The Pats selected Mac Jones out of Alabama with the 15th pick in 2021, and he helped them to a playoff appearance, but the last two years have not been kind to New England, missing the playoffs each season and going 4-13 in 2023, their worst record since going 5-11 in 2000. New England sent Jones to back up Trevor Lawrence in Jacksonville earlier this offseason.
Drake Maye #10 of the North Carolina Tar Heels stiff-arms Jeremiah Lewis #39 of the Duke Blue Devils during the game at Kenan Memorial Stadium on November 11, 2023 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. (Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
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The Pats need some help elsewhere - their receiving corps consists of K.J. Osborn, Kendrick Bourne, DeMario Douglas, and Jalen Reagor, while Rhamondre Stevenson and Antonio make up the backfield.
It's the first draft since 1999 without Bill Belichick, after the two mutually parted ways - Jerod Mayo was hired to replace the six-time Super Bowl winning head coach.
North Carolina quarterback Drake Maye (10) drops back to pass during the college football game between the North Carolina Tar Heels and the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets on October 28th, 2023 at Bobby Dodd Stadium in Atlanta, GA. (Rich von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
ESPN reported that the Vikings and Giants were on the phone with the Pats making offers before New England decided to stick with the pick.
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