Chad Graff of The Athletic says Patriots rookie QB Drake Maye "is going to have to be the obvious winner" over Jacoby Brissett in their training-camp competition to take the starting job at the beginning of the season. "If the competition between them is even close, Brissett is probably under center in the opener."
Paul Perillo of the team site on June 18: "I still believe Brissett will open the season as the starter, but the early returns for Maye are promising. Maye looks more comfortable each time he takes the field, and while the results haven't necessarily been great, he's learning the ins and outs of the job."
Mark Daniels of MassLive.com after minicamp: "Maye came away looking like the best quarterback on the field. However, there is context since the rookie was practicing against the second-team defense. It was also clear that Brissett was operating from a fuller playbook and things were dialed back and made simpler for Maye."
The Patriots sported one of the league's worst offenses last year. They have since replaced the HC and OC, drafted a QB third overall and imported several pass-catching options.
Still, this group doesn't look set to deliver big fantasy impact in 2024 -- especially on the passing side.
The greatest impact of the QB competition should be felt in superflex leagues. Maye clearly beats Brissett on upside and will likely start at some point this year. Since 2002, the average first start for a first-round QB has come in Game 6.8; the median first start in Week 4.
If you draft Maye in superflex, make sure it's only in a spot where you'll be OK without him early in the season. And consider Brissett as a later option for superflex best ball teams.
This competition should be a non-factor for dynasty formats. If you draft Maye -- or already have -- you're not doing so for his early 2024 impact. You're drafting him for long-term upside.
Whether Brissett starts a few games to open 2024 doesn't matter for that pursuit.
That the Patriots don't seem poised to just automatically roll with their rookie QB probably bodes well for the pass-catchers. It should be better for them to get a comfier -- even if low-ceiling -- vet over an unprepared rookie in September.
That said, don't expect us to alter pass-catcher projections for the Maye-Brissett competition.
Similarly, we've had Brissett projected to start a couple of games and then turn things over to Maye in our QB rankings the whole time. That's likely to hold through summer unless the team reveals a more specific plan for QB usage.
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