NFL 2-Round Mock Draft: Patriots Pick Franchise Quarterback, Deep-Threat Receiver
If the New England Patriots are going to start the Jerod Mayo era on the right note, finding a potential franchise quarterback ahead of his first season as the head coach would be a strong first step in that direction.
In CBS Sports' two-round mock draft featuring former Minnesota Vikings general manager Rick Spielman, it had the Patriots address the pressing need under center by taking University of North Carolina quarterback Drake Maye. In the second round, New England drafted Texas receiver Xavier Worthy.
Nov 25, 2023; Raleigh, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels quarterback Drake Maye (10) throws a pass against the North Carolina State Wolfpack during the first half at Carter-Finley Stadium.
Rob Kinnan-USA TODAY Sports
Maye was named the ACC Offensive Player of the Year and the conference's Player of the Year in 2022. The 6-foot-4, 230-pound quarterback threw for 4,321 yards, 38 touchdowns and seven interceptions, and he ran for 698 yards and seven scores.
Maye's stats dipped slightly in 2023, though he still had a solid season. Maye threw for for 3,608 yards, 24 touchdowns and nine interceptions, and he ran for 449 yards and nine scores.
While many have flip-flopped between the No. 2 and No. 3 quarterback in the draft with Maye and Jayden Daniels, NBC analysts Connor Rogers thinks he's the clear-cut best QB after Caleb Williams.
"I'm a big believer in him as a passer," Rogers said. "I'm a big believer in him as a runner. I think he's a big-bodied red-zone threat. When you get inside the 10, it's like 'Damn we've got to worry about Drake Maye barreling into the end zone, or he can lay one right to the back pylon with a perfect touch throw.'"
Worthy was an immediate contributor for the Longhorns as a freshman in 2021. In his three seasons at Texas, the 6-foot-1 speedy receiver had 26 touchdowns, which is third in program history, and 2,755 receiving yards, which is fourth all-time for the Longhorns. Worthy set career-highs with 75 catches for 1,014 yards, though he had a career-low five touchdowns.
In inability to solve the quarterback position ultimately led to the demise of Bill Belichick. If Mayo can land his franchise quarterback and a weapon that can open up the offense, he'll have a solid foundation to turn the franchise around.
