Patriots QB Drake Maye's leadership, intel on draft picks - ESPN

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — Quick-hit thoughts and notes around the New England Patriots and NFL:

1. Maye's way: When NCAA rule changes went into effect three years ago that allowed athletes to sell their name, image and likeness (NIL) rights, it dramatically changed the landscape of college sports. This is where University of North Carolina head football coach Mack Brown starts when giving insight into quarterback Drake Maye, the Patriots' top pick in the NFL draft at No. 3 overall.

«Every NIL deal, before he took the opportunity, he made sure that one of his teammates was involved with it,» Brown told ESPN in an interview. «They would call and somebody would want him to represent their company or such, and he'd say, 'That's fine, but I'm going to get the receivers involved too.' Or the seafood restaurant wants to give him free meals for a year, he says, 'Great, but you have to get the offensive line too.' It was always 'somebody on this team is going to do it with me.' That's just kind of the kid he is.»

The approach extended beyond his Tar Heel teammates, as Maye teamed with quarterback Sam Howell, his close friend who's now with the Seahawks, to direct NIL funds to support a local nonprofit organization with a goal to feed underprivileged children.

«If I could, I would adopt him. He's that good of a person and role model,» Brown said. «He wants everything he does to be right — to his community, his team, his teammates and also to make sure he helps young people learn and make better decisions.»

Maye faced an important decision after the 2022 season, his first year as a starter when he set school records for completions (342) and passing yards (4,321) and was named ACC Player of the Year. His offensive coordinator Phil Longo