The Patriots’ quarterback was recently asked about his preference in the first round.
One of the New England Patriots’ primary goals this offseason is improving the supporting cast around second-year quarterback Drake Maye. One big piece of the puzzle will be the team’s first-round selection in this year’s draft: at No. 4 overall, the Patriots are in prime position to add some bluechip talent or further bolster their capital through a trade.
What they will do remains to be seen, but it is a decision Maye will not be involved in. The man himself, though, would want his team to follow a simple strategy: just take the best player available.
“At four? You take best player,” Maye told during a recent appearance on Up & Adams. “I think that early you take the best player available. Any one of those guys. I don’t want to put my foot in my mouth here, so whoever wants to come play in New England and win some football games.”
Depending on how the board falls above them, the Patriots could be in a position to pick one of the consensus two best talents in the draft. Colorado cornerback/wide receiver hybrid Travis Hunter or Penn State edge defender Abdul Carter dropping into New England’s lap is not entirely out of the equation.
But even if both are off the board by the time the clock starts ticking for the Patriots, they should have some options to improve what was one of the worst rosters in the NFL last year. Frankly, any player within their first-round range would help the team.
The Patriots following their quarterback’s lead and adhering to the best player available mantra would therefore make plenty of sense. Regardless of what will happen, though, Maye is feeling good about where his team is headed.
“I think we got some things going on in the future that I’m looking forward to,” he said. “I’m looking forward to getting back out there.”