The second year of an NFL player’s career is a big one. The dreaded “sophomore slump” has altered the upward trajectory of many rookies, with some others showing dramatic year-to-year improvement in their sophomore campaigns.
Drake Maye, the No. 3 overall pick in the last year’s NFL Draft, was ushered into the league with high expectations, especially when it came to turning around the New England Patriots‘ fortunes. Maye became the Patriots’ starter in early October and went on to have a productive year, which ended with a spot on the AFC’s Pro Bowl roster as a replacement for Buffalo Bills signal caller Josh Allen.
NFL Reporter Tamara Brown believes Maye can make additional strides in his second year as a professional, especially under the tutelage of a head coach with a history of developing talent at the quarterback position.
“He’s got Josh McDaniels, who I watched help Mac Jones in his rookie season to complete 67% of his passes. He was second in votes for Offensive Rookie of the Year. He had 3,800 passing yards. So, why can’t he do that with Drake Maye this year?” Brown said. “There’s no proof that he can’t.”
Brown said that most teams bolster their roster with offensive weapons before finding a quarterback who can take it to the next level. The fact that the Patriots did the opposite could work in their favor, she added.
“They got their quarterback last year, and then, they built around him. They got their WR1 in Stefon Diggs. They got their first-round pick, Will Campbell, to help strengthen the offensive line,” Brown said. “And then, Josh McDaniels… He’s going to be the blueprint for this success – to help those mechanics, to help his footwork, to help his huddle presence and to make this a productive offense for the New England Patriots this year.”
Maye finished his rookie season with 2,276 passing yards, 15 touchdowns, 10 interceptions and a 66.6% completion percentage. He started 12 of the 13 games he appeared in; the Patriots went 3-9 in those contests.
