The New England Patriots selected Drake Maye with the No. 3 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft in hopes that he will turn into the quarterback of the future for the organization. But thus far, Maye hasn’t received the amount of on-field reps that most would expect of a top pick of his caliber.
Thus far, Maye has been working behind the likes of Jacoby Brissett and Bailey Zappe during individual drills in OTAs.
However, the Patriots have a plan in place for Maye. It’s a bit of a unique plan, which includes “mental reps” for Maye using virtual reality to help him make reads and progressions before he sees significant time on the field.
Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo spoke with NESN on this unique training regimen for Maye, saying that the facilities at the Patriots training site have the tools to develop Maye before he is given significant time on the field.
“It’s a case-by-case basis, but I would also say, it’s not only what is done out here on the football field,” Mayo said on Wednesday. “I know that when we talk about meetings, we usually talk about sitting at a desk and taking notes, but we have spaces inside the building where you can actually go out there and get real-life looks at the defenses and go through the calls with coaches, so he’ll get his reps.”
“I think the virtual stuff is great and that’s another way that you can steal some of those reps without being on the football field. We’re absolutely interested in that type of technology, we have rooms in the building that have some of that technology, but obviously, technology changes every single day. We’re looking for the best thing.”
Naturally, fans had plenty to say about this unique method from the Patriots.
The use of VR to aid in Drake Maye’s development shouldn’t be mocked.
The system was implemented at LSU and Jayden Daniels’ on-field processing improved significantly and may have been essential to his Heisman season.
LSU Director of Athletic Training Jack Marrucci: pic.twitter.com/2qyu4gQB8O
— Boorish (@Boorish_Sports) May 30, 2024
Interesting. We need a feature on that!
— The MaD (@TheMaD79) May 29, 2024
Virtual reality offers lots of merits to an organization.
In regards to Drake Maye, VR should help him improve his break down of an #NFL defense and mentally prepare him for when his number is called, among other things. https://t.co/0mkdcekNlQ
— PGS NEST (@NestPgs) May 29, 2024
Lock in pats fans
— Twon. (@Web3Twon) May 30, 2024
Processing and making reads are perhaps the most important factors in any successful NFL quarterback. So it makes sense why the Patriots organization is taking this approach with Maye.
However, the general assumption amongst those in the NFL is that the best way for any quarterback to develop is to receive as many practice reps as possible.
That way of thinking may be changing. And it sure seems like the Patriots are the ones at the forefront of that change, for better or worse.
[NESN]
