Today, we are going to revisit Drake Maye and his potential fantasy outlook as we approach the start of NFL training camps. Maye represents a viable late-round fantasy quarterback option for those who tend to wait on the position as a draft strategy. Maye has a path to a QB1 finish within his potential range of outcomes this season. Last season, he took over as the Patriots’ starter in week six and was a top-15 fantasy quarterback during the span. As we look closer, his fantasy outlook is very encouraging. Based on the statistical data, personnel and coaching changes in New England, Maye is set up to take the next step.
Drake Maye finished last season as the overall QB21, passing for 2,276 yards and 15 touchdowns to 10 interceptions. These statistics do not blow you away, however, in the 11 games that Maye started, he averaged just under 16 fantasy points per game. If we remove the December 28 game against the Chargers, where Maye was injured and missed time, his per-game average jumped to 16.5. To put that in perspective, last season overall QB12 was Patrick Mahomes, who averaged 17.7 fantasy points per game. So Maye is not that far off, and he showed some ability despite having limited offensive weapons. In addition, Maye had 421 yards rushing, which ranked ninth in fantasy among qualifying quarterbacks, and he did that in only 11 starts.
Drake Maye is projected to score 265 fantasy points, 3,451 passing yards, and 21 touchdown passes. Adding in another 469 yards rushing and three scores. Another key element in Maye’s fantasy outlook is the coaching changes that occurred in New England.
With the addition of Josh McDaniels as the new offensive coordinator in New England, Maye should see more called or designed quarterback runs. Maye posted 38.27 rushing yards per game in his 11 starts. Across a 17-game season, that number projects to 650 rushing yards per game. That would have put Maye third, behind only Lamar Jackson and Jayden Daniels. The ‘cheat code’ potential alone puts Maye in the QB1 conversation.
The Patriots added to their offensive weaponry with the addition of Stefon Diggs and the drafting of a legit three-down back in TreVeyon Henderson. Diggs gives the New England offense a true alpha wide receiver and allows Demario Douglas to slot into the WR2 role, more suited to him. Douglas led the Patriots in targets, catches, and receiving yards in 2024. Reports have indicated that Maye has shown well at OTAs and is picking up the new offense.
Drake Maye goes off best ball draft boards as the QB 16 with an ADP of 113. He certainly has he potential to outproduce his ADP and make him a solid value in 2025. If we use Patrick Mahomes’ 17.7 2024 per-game number as a baseline, Maye hit that mark in six of 11 starts. When Maye played 90% of the snaps, he averaged 18.7 fantasy points per game, which was last season’s QB11. If you are waiting on a quarterback in this year’s fantasy drafts, grab Drake Maye in the middle of round nine.
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