Patriots QB Drake Maye Criminally Underrated in NFL Top 100 Rankings

Every year, the NFL releases its list of the best 100 players in the league. And every year, the list snubs plenty of players of higher rankings.

One of the underrated players this year is New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye, who was voted on by his peers as just the 11th-best player in the NFL despite coming off an MVP runner-up season and a Super Bowl appearance.

For reference, in the previous 10 NFL-Top 100 lists, there have been six instances of a player finishing top-two in MVP voting while also winning their respective conference. All of those players were voted into the top-10, while five of the six were voted into the top-three.

Patrick Mahomes and Jalen Hurts both fit the criteria in the 2022-23 season. Mahomes proceeded to be voted the best player in the NFL, while Hurts was voted third-best. Tom Brady was voted the NFL's top player following his 2017-18 MVP season, which ended with a Super Bowl loss to the Philadelphia Eagles.

Aug 13, 2026; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye (10) warms up before a preseason game against the Indianapolis Colts at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Natalie Reid-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

The year prior? Brady and Matt Ryan were voted first and tenth, respectively, after the Atlanta Falcons quarterback edged out Brady for the MVP award but lost to the Patriots in the Super Bowl. In the 2015-16 season, Cam Newton was selected as the league's top player after an MVP year and a catastrophic Super Bowl performance.

If all of those players got their respect on the list, why not give the same flowers to Maye?

How Did Maye Get Here?

The third overall selection in the 2024 NFL Draft, Maye was tabbed by the Patriots as their next franchise quarterback. The team had hit some turbulence following the departure of Brady, and was coming off a four-win season and a parting of ways with future Hall of Fame head coach Bill Belichick.

Maye's rookie season started on the bench, learning behind veteran Jacoby Brissett. However, once New England fell to a 1-4 record, its young quarterback was thrown into the fire. Maye showed flashes of superstardom throughout the year, but a poor surrounding cast and a one-and-done coaching staff contributed to the team winning just four games for the second consecutive year.

In comes head coach Mike Vrabel, offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels, a revamped offensive line and an improved wide receiver room. In Maye's sophomore season, New England took a 10-win regular season leap, won the AFC East and went on to make a Super Bowl appearance.

New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye lets the offense line know what he sees during first half action at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park on Oct. 5, 2025. | USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

As for Maye's individual success? 4,394 passing yards (fourth-most in NFL), 31 passing touchdowns (third-most), eight interceptions, a 72% completion percentage (sixth-highest in NFL history), plus 450 rushing yards and four rushing touchdowns.

Those numbers earned him an MVP runner-up nod and Second-team All-Pro honors in his age-23 season.

The future looks bright for New England's young quarterback, even if his NFL peers are yet to recognize him as a top-10 player in the league.

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