ESPN analyst hopes fans don't ‘come for my head' for Drake Maye-Jayden Daniels take

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4 days ago

ESPN analyst Benjamin Solak recently made 100 predictions ahead of the 2025 NFL season. But there's one 'intrusive thought' in particular that may cause a stir when it comes to comparing Drake Maye and Jayden Daniels.
It's one New England Patriots fans should love.
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Sure, Daniels was the Rookie of the Year in 2024. But Solak thinks that Maye's performance as a rookie was just as good – if not better.
It's a stance that Solak realizes could have Washington Commanders fans coming out with pitchforks and torches.
'Statistically, (Maye) didn't hold a candle,' Solak wrote. 'But degree of difficulty? Maye was playing a completely different sport. I'll put it this way and hope metropolitan D.C. doesn't come for my head: Patriots fans should feel as confident and inspired about their future at quarterback as Commanders fans do right now.'
Daniels (the No. 2 pick in 2024) and Maye (the No. 3 pick) were each impressive as rookies. Both players made the Pro Bowl.
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However, it was Daniels who was the bigger breakout star. A starter from Week 1, the 2024 Rookie of the Year completed 69% of his passes for 3,568 yards and rushed for 891 as well. That was while leading a 12-5 Washington team to an impressive playoff run.
Maye had a different path as a rookie. After sitting behind Jacoby Brissett for five games, Maye took over in Week 6 and wasn't quite as prolific. Maye completed 66.6% of his passes for 2,276 yards and rushed for 421 yards.
But as Solak notes, Maye played in a much worse situation, playing behind a porous offensive line and throwing to a receiver corps that lacked talent. It also came during Jerod Mayo's disastrous run as a head coach.
So, yes, Daniels was far and away better by the numbers. But Solak argued that Maye should be graded on a curve given his environment.
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'Jayden Daniels had a historically productive rookie quarterback season. ... However, I'm still as -- if not more -- impressed by how well Drake Maye played on that terrible Patriots offense last season,' Solak wrote.
So can Maye take the next step? The Patriots have started laying the groundwork for him to improve.
With the addition of Morgan Moses, Garrett Bradbury and Will Campbell, the offensive line should be better. Meanwhile, the additions of Stefon Diggs, Mack Wilson and TreVeyon Henderson should add to the weapons in the passing game.
Now, will that be enough to make Washington's roster that went 12-5? We'll have to see. But as Solak notes, Maye's production in 2024 could bode well for his future.
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Read the original article on MassLive.