Patriots Insider Would Take J.J. McCarthy Over Drake Maye

There was speculation before the 2024 NFL Draft that the Patriots might target Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy. New England ultimately passed, and he was selected No. 10 by the Minnesota Vikings.

Drake Maye seems to be the Patriots’ franchise quarterback, but NBC Sports Boston’s Patriots insider Tom E. Curran said he would rather have McCarthy over Maye.

“I would still take J.J. McCarthy,” Curran said Tuesday on WEEI’s Jones & Keefe. “He’s as fast, if not faster. His arm is just as strong as Drake Maye’s, even though he could use a little bit more touch.”

McCarthy on Monday played in his first NFL game after missing the entire previous season with a torn meniscus.

McCarthy guided the Vikings to a comeback victory after falling behind by 11 points in the second half against the Chicago Bears. He threw for 143 yards, with two touchdowns plus a rushing score.

McCarthy may be better suited to run an NFL offense this season than Maye. He has taken over a team that reached the playoffs last year and has one of the best receivers in the league, Justin Jefferson.

In contrast, Maye is part of a team that only won four games last season and is adjusting to a new head coach and offensive coordinator.