Detroit, Mich. (WEEI/WGR 550) - The New England Patriots have their quarterback of the future, selecting Drake Maye with the third overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.
Speculation about what the Patriots would do continued right up through draft day, with rumors that they might trade down. But in the end, New England did what many expected: Select the best quarterback still on the board.
The 21-year-old spent the last three seasons playing at the University of North Carolina, where he totaled 8,018 yards through the air an 83 touchdowns to 16 interceptions. His best season with the Tar Heels came in 2022, where Maye threw for 4,321 yards with a completion rate of 66.2%, 38 touchdowns and just seven interceptions.
This past season in Chapel Hill, Maye took a step back in production with just 3,608 yards passing, 24 touchdowns and nine interceptions, while completing 63.3% of his passes in 12 games played.
Maye was the third quarterback selected off the board after Caleb Williams went first overall to the Chicago Bears and Jayden Daniels second to the Washington Commanders.
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Rich Keefe’s All-Night Draft Party – featuring Rich Keefe, Andy Hart and Chris Scheim – reacted to the pick live on WEEI. All three hosts were thrilled with the selection.
"Thank you, God," Scheim said.
"After three months of breaking down what was going to happen, they did what I think most people wanted and kind of how we thought the draft was gonna go 1-2-3," Keefe said.
Hart noted Boston’s recent streak of good fortune with No. 3 picks.
"So the Boston Celtics are perennial contenders because they took Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum with third overall picks," he said. "And the New England Patriots will return to glory because they just took Drake Maye with the third overall pick."
"I love it. I’m into it," Keefe said.
Hart called this the Patriots’ "most important pick since Drew Bledsoe, and it’s not even close."
"Whether it was by design or he let his football people make decisions, Robert Kraft got his wish," Hart said. "He has a talented, good young quarterback that he can sell jerseys to people like Scheim tonight. And the excitement level, the anticipation for a team that is picking third in the draft, hope has returned to New England.
"In my opinion, you got the second-best player in the draft, potentially, at the No. 3 pick," Hart continued. "And he fills your massive hole."