Throughout the evaluation process, the New England Patriots thoroughly reviewed game tape of Drake Maye. Was there a specific attribute that stood out for the quarterback they selected with the No. 3 overall pick in the NFL Draft on Thursday night? Was there a defining ‘wow’ moment that swayed the decision in Maye’s favor? Jerod Mayo, who addressed the media alongside de facto general manager Eliot Wolf, responded to the question, highlighting Maye’s toughness, a characteristic he highly values in a quarterback. “The thing that most impressed me about him,” Mayo said, “he would get smacked, and get right back up.” Mayo then drew a comparison to the quarterback who led the Patriots to six Super Bowl victories and another with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, a player widely regarded as the greatest of all time. “That’s the same trait … you have a guy like Tom Brady, I’m not saying he’s Tom, but just that mentality,” Mayo said. “Same thing with Joe Burrow. Those guys just keep getting back up and continuing to play at a high level.
“That was like the ‘A-ha’ moment for me.” That wasn’t the only aspect that impressed the Patriots. Wolf expressed admiration for Maye’s ability to “elevate” those around him. Mayo, overall, had a favorable impression of the entire package.
“First and foremost, this is a guy that comes from a very athletic family. He’s very competitive,” Mayo said. “He’s a likable guy. He’s a leader on the field. He obviously has a lot of tools. We were very comfortable with Drake, and happy we got him.” This comprehensive analysis provides a detailed account of the Patriots’ rationale for selecting Drake Maye with the No. 3 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft.
