Top QB prospect discusses possibly playing for Patriots

North Carolina Tar Heels quarterback Drake Maye sounds ready to accept all that joining the New England Patriots would mean after Mac Jones failed to cement himself as a long-term replacement for Tom Brady. 

"New England, I mean it’s hard not to talk about the dynasty," Maye said during an appearance on the latest edition of "The Adam Schefter Podcast," as shared by Nick O'Malley of MassLive. "You think of the G.O.A.T., that's what you think. You think of New England, you think of the G.O.A.T., Tom Brady. It’s a place that’s had a lot of success and had some years lately that they haven’t been as successful and looking to get back on track, and I know that’s right up there near Boston."

Of course, much has changed since the Patriots won their sixth Super Bowl championship of the opening two decades of the 2000s. The now-retired Brady left New England after the 2019 season, and Jerod Mayo replaced Bill Belichick as the club's head coach earlier this winter. 

Meanwhile, some analysts have recently offered strong criticisms of Maye as he and other prospects prepare to meet with NFL clubs at the scouting combine that runs in Indianapolis through this coming weekend. 

Despite such takes, Ryan Wilson of CBS Sports predicted in his latest mock draft that the Patriots will make Maye the third overall pick of the actual player-selection process. 

Chris Trapasso of CBS Sports thinks Maye could fall to the New York Giants at pick No. 6. 

"Anywhere, even undrafted," Maye said about entering the NFL this spring. "Whatever happens, happens. I’m just trying to keep a positive mindset, wherever I go. I’ve got confidence in myself to go play, whether it’s the top three or the last three. I think that’s the mindset you’ve gotta go in with because it’s a tough sport and it’s a tough business. But at the same time, I like my chances."

Some have suggested that Maye and Jones could share a quarterback room in New England for a season, as the 2021 first-round pick may not have much value on the trade market. 

Maye seems ready to compete for a starting job this summer, and such self-belief could help him succeed where Jones ultimately failed.