Drake Maye Already Building Chemistry With Two Rookie WRs at Patriots’ OTAs

Quite some time has passed since the New England Patriots had one of the top wide receivers in the NFL, but the front office has put an emphasis on the position throughout the offseason, particularly in the 2024 NFL Draft.

It’s no coincident that the Patriots selected two receivers — Washington’s Ja’Lynn Polk in the second round (No. 37 overall) and UCF’s Javon Baker in the fourth round (No. 110 overall) — last month in the same draft class that features No. 3 overall pick and potential future franchise quarterback Drake Maye.

While oftentimes there is value in having a veteran-filled roster for a young quarterback to learn from, there is also a unique value in having a set of rookies go through the ropes and learn the ins and outs of the NFL as a unit, and that’s exactly what Maye, Polk, and Baker have the opportunity to do.

Former Patriots receiver and Super Bowl 39 MVP Deion Branch spoke with ESPN’s Mike Reiss about the potential benefits of having a rookie QB paired with rookie WRs:

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Maye, Polk, and Baker Could Turn the Patriots’ Offense Around

After a 4-13 2023 season, New England could use some rookie standouts

After an abysmal 2023 campaign that saw New England rank near the bottom in several offensive categories, first-year head coach Jerod Mayo faces the tall task of turning things around in Foxborough.

While we know the defense should continue to perform under the defensive-minded coach, last season proved just how valuable a capable offense is in the modern NFL. New England’s former starting QB Mac Jones didn’t have the best selection of pass-catching weapons when he first arrived, so it’s important the Patriots do things the right way this time around.

Branch not only knows the ins and outs of the NFL at a championship level, but he knows first hand the value of growing and learning with fellow rookies. When he was drafted in 2002, New England had also selected WR David Givens in the seventh round and TE Daniel Graham in the first round. Per Branch, the three instantly developed a bond and learned from one another:

According to Reiss’ initial report, several media members noticed a positive relationship beginning to form between Maye, Polk, and Baker throughout Patriots’ OTAs. One instance stood out in particular, when Polk waited for Maye to finish an interview with a reporter before walking down the steps into the locker room together.

Before leaving the practice field, Polk pointed towards his new QB and yelled out “This is the guy right here!” directed towards reporters.

Maye and Polk recently attended a Boston Bruins playoff game together in their free time, and the Patriots’ new gunslinger had nothing but positive things to say of his rookie receivers when speaking with the media at rookie minicamp.

This was a strategic pairing by New England, hoping to emulate the success of other franchises such as the Cincinnati Bengals’ duo of Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase. While Maye did not attend college with either Polk or Baker, New England is hoping that the positive off-field relationship rookies often create will translate to the field.

While only time will tell if the Patriots’ offense will see significant improvements in 2024, at least the front office in New England is making the necessary decision to set Mayo up for success in his first season at the helm in the post-Bill Belichick era.

Source: Mike Reiss

All statistics courtesy of Pro-Football Reference unless stated otherwise.

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