Drake Maye To Play With Top Pick Up For Grabs: Patch Patriots Roundup

FOXBOROUGH, MA — An odd New England Patriots season comes to a close this weekend with perhaps a fitting opponent.

For years, New England dominated the AFC East in a way that isn't normal for the league. Now, however, the power of the conference has shifted, and Sunday's season finale against Buffalo could put that on display.

For Patriots fans, that shift to the bottom of the division, conference and league is probably the hardest part of this year to swallow, but there was one positive.

When drafting a first-round quarterback, fans and people in the building have to have blind faith that the pick will work out. Without that hope, the stress of setting the franchise back half a decade and, for those with the team, losing their jobs, would be too much to bare.

So Patriots fans and staffers have Drake Maye to be thankful for heading into 2025, because all signs point to him being a home run selection for the Patriots.

Now, Patriots fans can wait out Sunday for a player that could potentially give them more hope, or the number one overall pick that could bring them a wealth of draft capital.

Heading into Week 18, New England sits atop of the draft order, according to Tankathon. A loss to Buffalo would assure them that top spot, allowing them to draft the top player on their board or trade out of the pick to a quarterback-needy team for what could be a haul of draft picks.

With that fact known, many thought Maye might sit for the Buffalo game, but all signs point to him starting.

Head Coach Jerod Mayo said Monday that all starters, all long as they are healthy heading into Sunday, will play. That includes Maye, Mayo said.

Rumors about Mayo's standing in the building have also been circling NFL circles, with some wondering if Mike Vrabel, currently working with the Cleveland Browns, might want the job should it open.

ESPN's Dan Graziano said this week that he wouldn't expect a change for a few reasons, including an understanding of the roster talent he was working with in 2024.

There will be more questions to answer after the season's final game, but for now, fans will anxiously await the Buffalo result on Sunday.

Here's how to catch the game:

Kickoff: 1 p.m.

Network: CBS

Radio: 98.5 The Sports Hub