The New England Patriots appear to have found their franchise quarterback in Drake Maye.
The third overall pick from the 2024 NFL Draft has guided the team to a solid 3-2 start through the first five games while emerging as the top performer among his draft class peers.
Maye has thrown for 1,261 yards with seven touchdowns and just two interceptions this season. The performance has caught the attention of New England fans and analysts alike.
Former Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski appeared on the Up and Adams show on Wednesday and identified Maye as the most physically gifted quarterback from the 2024 draft class.
When asked about the chances that Maye ends up as the best quarterback from his class, Gronkowski was direct in his assessment.
“I love Drake Maye as the best quarterback in this draft class because he’s kind of more of the best pocket presence quarterback there is. I think that’s what makes such great quarterbacks in the NFL. You gotta have true pocket presence, and Drake Maye brings that to the table better than all those quarterbacks. He’s very mobile as well. He’s very athletic, too,” Gronkowski said.
Gronk says that Drake Maye is the BEST QB from the 2024 NFL Draft class @heykayadams | @RobGronkowski | @Patriots pic.twitter.com/5zvUqUif96
— Up & Adams (@UpAndAdamsShow) October 8, 2025
His early success includes a notable victory over the Buffalo Bills, widely regarded as legitimate Super Bowl contenders.
The 2024 draft class was loaded with talent, featuring names like Caleb Williams, J.J. McCarthy, and Jayden Daniels.
Injuries to McCarthy and Daniels have limited their ability to challenge Maye’s early dominance, particularly Daniels with the Washington Commanders.
Michael Penix Jr. of the Atlanta Falcons remains his closest statistical competition on paper, but Maye currently surpasses him in every major passing category.
The strong start has sparked inevitable comparisons to Tom Brady’s early years in New England.
The hope is that Maye creates a similar effect where receivers and skill players view the Patriots as an attractive destination based on quarterback play and organizational culture.
If he continues performing at this level, the Patriots could experience sustained success reminiscent of the Brady era.
NEXT: Drake Maye Sends Clear Message About Win Over Bills