Who Should I Start? Sam Darnold or Drake Maye

Tuesday, June 2, 5:50 AM

New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye was the MVP runner-up in his first full season as a starter, and with the Patriots officially trading for three-time Pro Bowl wide receiver A.J. Brown on Monday, he gets not only a new number one weapon, but one who marries up perfectly to his own rare abilities. Maye's 1,149 passing yards and 18 touchdowns against man coverage in 2025 were both top-four numbers in the NFL, and since 2022, Brown has ranked first in receptions, first in receiving yards, and fourth in receiving touchdowns against man coverage. Maye was arguably the best deep-ball thrower in the league last season, with a number one downfield target in Kayshon Boutte, who has never topped 589 yards in a season, while Brown has built a career out of dominating at the second level. While the Patriots are not acquiring the prime version of Brown, who received an MVP vote in his first year with the Eagles, he is undoubtedly the top receiver that Maye has had in his young career. With Romeo Doubs and a well-rounded supporting cast also getting a boost by being allowed to slot into more natural secondary or tertiary roles, it should come as no surprise if the 23-year-old Maye, currently RotoBaller's dynasty QB2, claims the top spot in the rankings by season's end.