NFL Network's Ian Rapoport hears that the Patriots want to make sure the offensive line and skill-position group is settled before playing rookie QB Drake Maye.
Rapoport: "They were really impressed with what [Maye] showed in training camp ... But as far as when he's going to play, they want to put him in a position to succeed. They're not going to put him out there unless he is the guy who gives the team the best chance to win. From my understanding, that means they're going to make sure the offensive line is good enough to put him out there, the skill-position group is all set for Maye to come in and have success. Probably going to be several weeks at least."
For our money, the Patriots have the worst combination of offensive line and skill players in the league. There's at least upside to the WR corps with youngsters like Ja'Lynn Polk, Javon Baker, and Demario Douglas. We don't expect the O-line to improve much over the course of the season.
We're still expecting to see Maye under center by October -- mostly because QB Jacoby Brissett is unlikely to play well enough to keep Maye off the field. The Patriots have a tough opening schedule at Cincinnati, vs. Seattle, at the Jets, and at San Francisco. A Week 5 home game vs. the Dolphins could be a good spot for Maye to make his debut.
The rookie remains keeping stashed where you drafted him.
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