Drake Maye Says Patriots Meeting Went Well: 'I Think New England Is a Great Spot'

North Carolina quarterback Drake Maye expressed excitement Friday over the prospect of potentially landing with the New England Patriots in the 2024 NFL draft.

Speaking to reporters at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis, Maye said his meeting with the Pats was "great" and that New England would be a "great spot" for him to land.

Maye also noted that he enjoyed speaking with new Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo, who is replacing Bill Belichick in 2024 following Belichick's 24-year run with the organization.

The Patriots have a clear need at quarterback and they own the No. 3 overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft.

Along with USC's Caleb Williams and LSU's Jayden Daniels, Maye is one of three quarterbacks expected to go high in the NFL draft next month.

In fact, it is entirely possible that each of the top three picks will be quarterbacks, and Maye would almost certainly be among them.

The Chicago Bears own the No. 1 overall pick, and while they could stick with Justin Fields as their quarterback, there has been a ton of speculation that they may trade Fields and then use the top pick on Williams.

That would leave the Washington Commanders to choose between Daniels and Maye at No. 2 overall, and the Pats would then have the opportunity to take whoever is left at No. 3.

Jeff Howe of The Athletic reported this week that there is a "strong sense" the Patriots are "leaning heavily" toward taking a quarterback third overall.

MassLive.com's Karen Guregian, Mark Daniels and Chris Mason added that sources have indicated the Pats intend to take a quarterback third overall and also sign a veteran so that the rookie doesn't necessarily have to start.

New England had the best quarterback situation in the league for about two decades, as Tom Brady led the franchise to six Super Bowl wins, but the position has been a huge issue ever since Brady left in free agency after the 2019 season.

The Patriots hoped they had found his replacement when they took Mac Jones 15th overall in the 2021 NFL draft. He had a solid rookie season that yielded a Pro Bowl selection and playoff berth, but he stumbled the next two seasons.

In 2023, Jones went just 2-9 as a starter and threw 10 touchdown passes compared to 12 interceptions, resulting in his benching.

The arrival of Maye would give the Patriots and their fans some hope, as he is a supremely talented signal-caller with the potential to be a star at the NFL level.

The 6'4", 225-pounder was the ACC Player of the Year in 2022 when he completed 66.2 percent of his passes for 4,321 yards, 38 touchdowns and seven interceptions, while also rushing for 698 yards and seven scores.

His numbers took a hit in 2023, although he was still highly productive, completing 63.3 percent of his passing attempts for 3,608 yards, 24 touchdowns and nine picks, along with rushing for 449 yards and nine touchdowns.

Maye has prototypical size, a big arm and running ability, and if he is available at No. 3 overall, the Patriots likely won't hesitate to take a chance on him as the savior of the franchise.