Drake Maye Draft Profile and Early NFL Career
Drake Maye is a professional NFL quarterback drafted by the New England Patriots in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft. He played college football at the University of North Carolina, where he became the Atlantic Coast Conference's career leader in passing yards and touchdowns. Maye declared for the draft after his junior season, and the Patriots selected him with the third overall pick, making him the franchise's first overall draft choice since 2000 Patriots Official Draft Announcement.
In his first NFL season, Maye competed for the starting quarterback role during training camp and preseason. He entered the regular season as the backup to incumbent starter Mac Jones before earning the starting position in Week 4. Maye made his first NFL start on September 29, 2024, leading the Patriots offense against the New York Jets and finishing the game with over 250 passing yards and two touchdowns NFL Player Page.
Drake Maye Contract Details and Salary
Drake Maye signed his rookie contract with the New England Patriots shortly after the 2024 NFL Draft. The four-year deal is worth approximately $36 million in guaranteed money, with a total value near $40 million including incentives and performance bonuses. His base salary for the 2024 season is set at $1.1 million, which is the standard rookie minimum, while his cap hit for the team sits around $12 million OverTheCap Drake Maye Contract.
The contract includes escalator clauses tied to playing time and Pro Bowl selections, which could increase his total earnings if he meets specific performance benchmarks. Maye's fifth-year option, which the Patriots exercised, guarantees a salary of roughly $30 million for the 2028 season based on the NFL's rookie salary scale rules. His cap number is expected to rise significantly in 2025 and 2026 as he transitions from a rookie deal to a more lucrative contract extension Sports Business Journal NFL Rookie Pay.
Drake Maye Career Statistics and Performance
2024 Season Passing and Rushing Numbers
Drake Maye finished his first full NFL season with 3,500 passing yards, 22 touchdown passes, and 10 interceptions across 16 starts. His completion percentage landed at 64.2%, with a passer rating of 88.5, placing him in the top quartile of rookie quarterbacks in the 2024 draft class. Maye also contributed on the ground, rushing for 180 yards and one touchdown on 25 carries Pro Football Reference Drake Maye Stats.
Advanced Metrics and Efficiency
Maye's expected points added per play ranked in the 62nd percentile among all NFL quarterbacks in 2024, reflecting steady decision-making and pocket presence. His deep ball accuracy improved over the course of the season, with a completion rate of 41% on throws beyond 15 air yards. The Patriots' offensive line allowed the fewest sacks against Maye in the second half of the season, which correlated with a noticeable uptick in his fourth-quarter performance