Analyst breaks down how Patriots' Drake Maye has improved since spring

Numerous analysts said before and after the New England Patriots selected quarterback Drake Maye as the third overall pick of the 2024 NFL Draft that he needed to spend at least a portion of his rookie season improving aspects of his game while serving as a backup for veteran Jacoby Brissett. 

While breaking down how Maye looked in New England's 19-3 win over the Chicago Bears this past Sunday, former NFL quarterback and current analyst Dan Orlovsky touched upon how the 22-year-old has improved since the start of springtime workouts. 

"I’ve talked about his feet, and that was the concern coming out of school, the flaw. He has worked at it," Orlovsky said about Maye, as Lauren Campbell of MassLive shared. "He has worked at it. He has addressed it. Him, his coaching staff, credit them. I did not think he was going to jump off tape this early. His feet have absolutely improved." 

Maye made his first start in Week 6, and there was at least somewhat of a concern that first-year head coach Jerod Mayo went to the rookie ahead of schedule mainly to prevent a locker-room "mutiny" from arising when New England was 1-4. Like all rookie signal-callers who feature for clubs that lack talent, Maye has endured expected ups and downs as a QB1. 

According to Pro Football Reference, Maye heads into Week 11 ranked 16th in the NFL among qualified players with a 55.2 adjusted QBR, 25th with an 84.1 passer rating and tied for 22nd with a 64.7% completion percentage for the season. Over six games (five starts), he tossed seven touchdown passes and five interceptions to go along with the 233 rushing yards and a score he recorded on 25 carries. 

"...He’s throwing guys open," Orlovsky added about Maye. "He’s giving guys chances. He’s not trying to be perfect. He’s saying, 'My eyes tell me something. Cut it loose. See it, trust it, rip it.' And then two, how fast he’s playing with what he’s seeing pre-snap. ...You can see how quickly he’s digesting this information."

Maye will look to build upon his previous performances when the 3-7 Patriots host the 4-5 Los Angeles Rams this coming Sunday. As of Wednesday afternoon, DraftKings Sportsbook listed New England as a five-point underdog for that contest.