NFL Rookie QB Musings, Week 11: Bo Nix, Drake Maye poised for late-season breakouts

Move over Jayden Daniels and Caleb Williams, both Bo Nix and Drake Maye have taken over the mantle of showing the NFL how rookie quarterbacks get it done.

Are both quarterbacks ready to breakout?

With more games under their belt and comfort in their respective offenses, both Nix and Maye have put together moments and highlights that show glimpses of why they were drafted where they were drafted. 

Obviously, can’t take anything away from Daniels who is the leading candidate for NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year, but the Patriots No. 3 overall pick and Broncos No. 12 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft are both letting their talent shine within the scheme and flow of the game.

Bo Nix finding his comfort zone in the NFL

Nix, who has better weapons around him, has played within the flow of Sean Payton’s offense with quick passes and taking off with his legs when necessary.  Everyone knows he has the arm talent, which he has demonstrated, but his ability to escape the pocket has been impressive.  Also impressive is his growth within the system which has led him to being named the NFL Rookie of the Week for Week 10 after the team’s 16-14 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs.

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It took a blocked last-second field goal for the unbeaten defending Super Bowl champs to knock off Nix and the Broncos but his performance in which he completed 22-of-30 passes for 215 yards and two touchdowns was impressive in a big game.  Though the outcome was disappointing, Payton came away from the game encouraged.

“It was funny after the game, you’re going across the field, and I see (Kansas City coach) Andy (Reid) and a few of the other guys”, Payton said Wednesday. “I see (Chiefs quarterback) Patrick (Mahomes) and know him, and he just turned to me and said, ‘You got one.’ I think he told Bo, ‘We’re going to have a lot of good games.’ That’s something coming from him.

“And so we continue to look at the things that he does well and try to feature those things as he progresses into some of the things that he’s going to need to do. Yeah, we’re really encouraged.”

Nix came in the league with maturity, now with each game he plays, that confidence is showing and most importantly, his team is believing in him.

What is leading Drake Maye to a late-season breakout

It’s hard to tell where the Patriots would be if Maye started from Day 1, but it’s safe to say the offense would’ve been a little less conservative.  In leading the Patriots to a 19-3 win over the Chicago Bears in Week 10, Maye continued to show one key attribute that showcased his promise as the team’s future franchise quarterback…pocket ‘escapability’.

In scrambling for 233 rushing yards this season, the athleticism of Maye has stood out with how he can extend drives with his legs.  While he didn’t run wild against the Bears like he did a week prior against the Tennessee Titans, he picked his spots which is a sign of growth and understanding the game.  There is a little Josh Allen in his game, but for this Patriots’ offense, he must build the players up around him and not feel the pressure to need to take off out of the pocket all the time.

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Still, former Patriots cornerback Ty Law has been impressed with Maye and his ability to escape the pocket and emphasize plays.

“His escapability has been really impressive to me,” Law told NESN. “I didn’t know he had that type of escapability. Being able to use his legs. He threw some nice passes. From a decision standpoint, he’s just going to get better and better. I think that is our quarterback of the future.”

Like Nix, the Patriots rookie quarterback is proving his can lead an offense with his arm and legs.  That should lead to an interesting second half of the season for Maye and the Patriots, especially if he continues to show the leadership that the rest of the offense can rally around.

In all, Maye is not the style of quarterback Law had as a teammate in his day – in reference to Tom Brady – but he is the type of QB that is tending in the NFL.  The Patriots are proving to have a good one.  Hats off to Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo and offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt for having the patience to not put him in the spotlight too soon.