Analyst explains if Patriots' Drake Maye has 'bust factor'

Concerns about New England Patriots rookie quarterback Drake Maye eventually emerging as a "bust" popped up this summer after he reportedly was outperformed in some training-camp practices by sixth-round draft pick Joe Milton III and after he barely played in New England's preseason opener. 

During a Wednesday appearance on FS1's "The Herd with Colin Cowherd" program, NFL Media analyst Greg Cosell explained why he isn't worried about the former North Carolina Tar Heels star. 

"I got a chance to speak to some coaches at North Carolina where he played," Cosell said about Maye, as shared by Tim Crowley of NESN. "They told me, in their mind, there is no bust factor at all with Drake Maye. You have to know the kid, know the way he works, know how he sees the game, know how his teammates respond. I like Drake Maye. I thought he was the toolsiest quarterback in this draft."

Much was made both before and after New England selected Maye with the third pick of the 2024 NFL Draft about how his "personality" and "demeanor" could help him become the team's long-term replacement for living legend Tom Brady that the Patriots thought they had in Mac Jones back in January 2022. 

Maye then showed from springtime workouts through training camp he was a work in progress, but he reportedly has since drastically improved "in recent weeks." 

First-year Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo raised plenty of eyebrows when he told reporters Wednesday that he "100%" believes Maye is "ready to run a huddle" for the Week 1 game at the Cincinnati Bengals on Sept. 8. However, veteran Jacoby Brissett remained atop New England's depth chart as of Thursday morning. 

"I'm not sure he's quite as raw as people think," Cosell added about Maye. "He had a few things he has to clean up. He tended to drift to his left in the pocket. That you have to clean up in the National Football League because, otherwise, you create your own pressure. I think that he's comfortable."

As NESN's Gayle Troiani pointed out, Maye and Brissett will both receive opportunities to impress in New England's preseason finale at the Washington Commanders this coming Sunday night. The door is open for Maye to win the starting job at Commanders Field, but it remains to be seen if he'll walk through it.