Amid speculation surrounding the New England Patriots’ potential draft selection between Drake Maye and J.J. McCarthy, ESPN’s Mel Kiper weighed in, endorsing Maye as a “home run” choice. On The Next Pats Podcast, Kiper compared Maye’s promising prospects to McCarthy’s solid but less extraordinary outlook.
Maye has garnered widespread recognition as one of the top three prospects in the upcoming draft, supported by his impressive performance at North Carolina in 2023, where he amassed 3,608 passing yards, 24 touchdowns, and nine interceptions. Bleacher Report’s Scouting Department ranks him third overall and the top quarterback in his draft class.
Despite Maye’s strong standing, McCarthy has emerged as a wildcard, potentially being among the first quarterbacks selected. Kiper maintains that Maye is the preferable option for the Patriots, citing his potential to be a game-changer.
In Bleacher Report’s mock draft, Maye is predicted to be chosen by the Chicago Bears with the first overall pick. This scenario could leave the Patriots with alternative choices like Caleb Williams or Jayden Daniels, although McCarthy would likely still be on the board.
Mel Kiper: Drake Maye is the HOME RUN swing for the Patriots in the 2024 NFL Draft
New Next Pats Podcast is out now 🏈 @PhilAPerry
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McCarthy, who boasts two seasons as a starter at Michigan, showcased his talent with 2,991 passing yards, 22 touchdowns, and just four interceptions in 2023, leading his team to a national championship. Despite not matching Maye’s statistics, McCarthy’s draft stock has notably risen in recent months.
Ranked as the 33rd overall prospect and the fourth quarterback in his draft class by Bleacher Report’s Scouting Department, McCarthy is forecasted to be drafted by the Minnesota Vikings at the 11th spot, according to the latest mock draft.
With the Patriots aiming to secure a quarterback in the draft, the decision between Maye and McCarthy holds significant weight and uncertainty, leaving fans and analysts eagerly anticipating the team’s choice on draft night.
