The Patriots selected the North Carolina quarterback third overall in the 2024 NFL Draft.
Once they were on the clock in the first round of the draft on Thursday night, the New England Patriots wasted little time to make a pick. They had already zeroed in on North Carolina quarterback Drake Maye as their target at No. 3 overall.
Drafting a young passer that high, the expectations are clear: Maye was brought aboard to become the Patriots’ long-term solution at the most important position in the sport. He has all the tools to develop into just that, but as he pointed out during his first media session that is not all he has to offer.
When asked what he would bring to the Patriots, his answer came as quick as his new club handing in the card with his name on it.
“A competitor and a winner,” Maye said on a video call. “That’s the main two things that come to mind. I’m racing you out the door, we’re on the football field competing. I’m competing to win, and that’s what Patriot Nation’s about, that’s what they know how to do. And I’m ready to come in and do that.”
A four-star recruit coming out of high school, Maye started his college career at North Carolina as a backup to fellow future NFL QB Sam Howell. After Howell turned pro in 2022, the door was open for Maye to compete for the starting role.
He ended up winning the job and over the next two seasons led the Tar Heels to a 17-10 record. Along the way, he established himself as one of the top quarterback prospects in the country.
The quarterback-needy Patriots were a logical landing spot for the 21-year-old, who now becomes the face of the rebuilding franchise — both due to his draft status, and due to the position he plays. With that also comes some added responsibility as a leader both on and off the field, though, and the need to help lift his teammates up.
Despite his youth, Maye seems to embrace that role.
“You’re the face of the team, they look to you. My responsibility is to get to know the guys, know them personally. Relationships, that’s what I feed off of,” he said. “Getting the guys personally, that’s the biggest thing. Just be one of the guys. Coming in there as a top-three rookie, I think you kind of need to just stay humble. Worry about my play on the field and then winning games. …
“I love football, I love winning. And I think the biggest thing is I hate losing. I hate losing in everything I do, doesn’t matter what it is.”
The Patriots, of course, lost 13 of their 17 games last season which allowed them to be in a position to draft Maye in the first place. Now, the two will work together in their fight against losing and to get New England back to its winning ways.