2024 Draft Quarterback ‘Super Happy’ For Patriots’ Drake Maye

Drake Maye can rise to the top of a stacked 2024 quarterback draft class by steering the New England Patriots to a Super Bowl LX victory over the Seattle Seahawks. A peer isn’t envious of Maye’s success.

The Washington Commanders selected Jayden Daniels one spot ahead of Maye, and he validated the choice by taking the franchise to the NFC Championship Game as the Offensive Rookie of the Year. While injuries compromised Daniels’ attempt at an encore, Maye narrowly finished second to Matthew Stafford in the MVP voting.

Daniels told Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio and Chris Simms that he speaks regularly with Maye and is cheering on his draft cohort.

“I talk to Drake all the time, and I’m super happy for him,” Daniels said. “What he’s been through in his career and what he had to deal with last year. Now to see him be able to play in this game is one, nothing but motivation for me. But two, I’m also super excited for not just him, but our whole quarterback class that we got.”

Maye and Daniels aren’t the only second-year quarterbacks who have flourished.

Caleb Williams led the Chicago Bears to an NFC North title and first-round comeback win over the Green Bay Packers before suffering an overtime loss after an epic game-saving touchdown. Maye would have faced Bo Nix in the AFC Championship Game if the No. 12 pick didn’t break his ankle at the end of an AFC Divisional Round win over the Buffalo Bills.

Daniels said there’s a shared sense of admiration among that group, which could fuel one of the generation’s most illustrious quarterback draft classes.

“I most definitely give them credit where credit is due,” Daniels said. “We kind of like the respect, and we all do the same thing. So we all respect each other’s game.”