NFL Draft Daily Dish: Inside the Patriots massive decision to start Drake Maye

In this Thursday edition of the NFL Draft Daily Dish, we begin by discussing Drake Maye’s recent promotion to starting quarterback for the New England Patriots and how he might perform this season. Next, we highlight a standout prospect to watch in tonight’s college football action. Finally, we focus on an SEC defensive end who's off to an impressive start to the season.

Drake Maye named the starter in New England

The New England Patriots have named Drake Maye their starting quarterback following another disappointing performance from Jacoby Brissett, who completed just 18 of 34 passes for 160 yards and no touchdowns in the loss to the Miami Dolphins. Brissett's struggles have been part of a larger trend, as the Patriots currently rank last in the league in passing yards per game, averaging just 119 yards, and near the bottom in yards per attempt.

Maye’s promotion brings a significant boost in athleticism to the offense. His mobility should help him extend plays and avoid some of the sacks that have plagued the Patriots, who rank 30th in sacks allowed per game, giving up 3.8 per contest. Maye’s ability to gain yards with his feet also adds a dynamic element to the running game, something the offense has lacked.

Another benefit of Maye being named the starter is the increased confidence he inspires among the team. Evan Lazar of the "Catch 22" podcast, which is affiliated with the Patriots, noted that the locker room was "teetering on a mutiny" before the switch. Starting Maye signals that the organization is serious about winning, which could help stabilize the team’s morale.

While Maye has the potential for promising moments this season, he may struggle overall due to his difficulties in reading defenses—an issue that followed him from his time at North Carolina. His tendency to feel rushed in the pocket can lead to him abandoning plays prematurely or his mechanics breaking down, resulting in inaccurate throws.

Ultimately, the decision to start Maye is the right one, as it will allow the Patriots to fully evaluate his abilities and identify which offensive schemes he thrives in. With more live reps against NFL defenses, Maye has the opportunity to improve his reads and slow the game down, provided the coaching staff can prevent him from developing bad habits.

2025 NFL prospect to watch

Although tonight's college football slate may not be headlined by marquee matchups, one player who will draw attention from NFL scouts is Western Kentucky cornerback Anthony Johnson Jr. Johnson had an outstanding 2023 season, leading Conference USA with 0.4 interceptions per game and earning an impressive 90.6 coverage grade from Pro Football Focus.

As an NFL prospect, Johnson has the skill set to compete for a roster spot as a nickel cornerback. His standout attribute is his ball-hawking ability, recording 5 interceptions and 11 pass breakups over his last 15 games. Additionally, he's not shy about stepping up to defend against the run, an often-overlooked quality for a nickel defender.

However, scouts are likely to be concerned about his size, as he stands at just 5-foot-10. He also lacks the top-end quickness typically expected from smaller cornerbacks. Because of these factors, Johnson might go undrafted, but he could still earn a shot as a priority free agent and fight for a place during an NFL training camp.

Ole Miss’s Jared Ivey off to a fast start

Ole Miss features one of the nation’s top pass-rushing defenses, leading college football with an average of four sacks per game. A standout on this defense is defensive end Jared Ivey, who has emerged as a key leader, recording five sacks in just the last three games. In addition to his pass-rushing ability, Ivey has been a strong force against the run, earning an impressive Pro Football Focus grade of 81.7 in run defense.

As a pro prospect, Ivey’s versatility is his greatest asset. He has played both defensive end and defensive tackle at Ole Miss, demonstrating his strength in setting the edge as a run defender and his impressive quickness off the ball for a defensive tackle. Standing 6-foot-5 and weighing 285 pounds, Ivey’s size and skillset make him a natural fit as a three-technique defensive tackle in a 4-3 defense or as a defensive end in a 3-4 scheme.

With this combination of quickness, strength, and versatility, Ivey projects as a strong Day 3 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, with teams like the Arizona Cardinals and Cincinnati Bengals being logical fits for his abilities.