The New England Patriots aspire to have found their next franchise quarterback as they select UNC QB Drake Maye with the 3^rd overall pick of the 2024 NFL Draft.

Last season at North Carolina, Maye totaled 24 passing touchdowns and 9 interceptions with a 63.9 completion percentage. He was named Second-Team AP All-ACC and was a Manning Award Finalist.

Maye becomes the 6^th QB to be selected in the 1^st round by the New England Patriots after Mac Jones, Drew Bledsoe, Tony Eason, Jim Plunkett, and Jack Concannon.

New England struggled heavily at the quarterback position last year, which led to them earning their worse record since 2000. Quarterbacks Mac Jones and Bailey Zappe combined for 3,392 yards, 16 touchdowns, and 21 interceptions.

Last March, the Patriots traded Mac Jones to the Jacksonville Jaguars for their 2024 6^th round selection in return.

The Patriots also brought back former 3^rd round draft pick, Jacoby Brissett, on a one-year deal. Brissett was selected by New England in 2016 but was traded to the Indianapolis Colts for Phillip Dorsett the following year.

Ideally, Drake Maye will sit under Brissett next year, as New England works to develop him to be their future starting QB.