By R.L. Bynum
Entering his second NFL season, former UNC quarterback Drake Maye has been impressive during New England Patriots training camp, not just in command of the offense, but in execution.
Through the first seven practices, Maye has yet to throw an interception, a clean run that’s turning heads given the volume and difficulty of throws he’s attempting.
He’s not playing safe football — he’s playing smart.
“I’m trying to take care of the football,” Maye said during a press conference after practice Thursday in Foxborough, Mass. “Maybe they could have had a few [interceptions] here and there. You’re not trying to throw a perfect game or no-hitter. But I think that’s part of not being scared to throw it. I’m still not gun-shy.”
In his rookie season, Maye completed 225 of 338 yards for 2,276 yards, 15 touchdowns and 10 interceptions.
Maye’s camp performance is marked by confident decision-making and a willingness to test tight coverage downfield. He isn’t leaning on checkdowns to avoid mistakes.
“It’s easy to throw the check down,” he said. “But it’s not realistic, moving the football and getting big kind of chunk plays, which are the plays you win the games with — when you’re throwing the ball down the field and throwing in tight windows.”
That mindset has been a continuation of how he played as a rookie — aggressive, competitive and mobile. The Patriots are leaning even further into his athleticism, with offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels incorporating more designed quarterback runs into the scheme.
“It’s an even balance. You gain an extra hat. You make it 11-on-11 instead of 10-on-11,” Maye said. “Mixing in the quarterback run game is something I’m open to.”
Maye’s comfort outside the pocket is part of what made him effective at Carolina and during his rookie season, but he acknowledged the importance of picking his spots more carefully now.
“My first year [at UNC], I was really kind of running around and doing some stuff I probably shouldn’t have out there with pads on,” he said. “So, I think just taking care of my body and being smart. But also, when it’s third down, when it’s near the end zone, like I’m 6–5 and 230 pounds. Go get something.”
Another sign of Maye’s progression is his command at the line of scrimmage. He’s taken on more responsibility with protection calls and pre-snap adjustments, building on the foundation he carried from college.
“It helps that I did that in college,” he said. “Me and my center, we kind of set the line where we wanted and changed it and did a little of that last year. It’s nice knowing it’s my job to send those guys the right spot, get them on the same page.”
He’s also building chemistry with a restructured receiving group, including a developing red-zone connection with veteran wide receiver Stefon Diggs, who signed a three-year deal with New England in March.
“It’s just a mindset, attacking the football,” Maye said. “A guy of his stature who has caught a lot of touchdowns in this league, made a lot of big plays, he wants to go get the football. He tells me all the time, just if the ball’s in the air, it’s gonna be mine.”
Maye said that that’s the mindset in the wide receiver room, which also includes former UNC star Mack Hollins, who also signed with the Patriots in March. Hollins came off the PUP list and and was part of 11-on-11 drills with Maye on the field Thursday.
With joint practices and preseason games approaching, Maye’s turnover-free streak isn’t the focus — it’s the byproduct of sharper timing, cleaner mechanics and better decision-making.
“We’re coming together, jelling nicely,” he said. “We’ve got a good look with our defense. I feel good, feel in a good spot. But there’s still a lot of work left.”
Although he may not get many snaps, the Patriots’ first exhibition game is at 7:30 Friday, Aug. 8, at home against the Washington Commanders.
Tar Heels in NFL camps
British Brooks, Houston Texans running back
Age 25 | 5–11, 225 | second NFL season | UNC 2018–23
Roster situation — Fifth-string running back
Season statistics —10 games, 4 carries, 15 yards (9 longest); 5 special-teams tackles, 4 special-teams assists
Week 16 — 4:25 Sunday vs. Las Vegas Raiders, CBS
Week 17 — 4:30 Saturday at Los Angeles Chargers, NFL Network
Dyami Brown, Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver
Age 25 | 6–0, 195 | fifth NFL season | UNC 2018–20
Roster situation — Starting wide receiver
Season statistics — 14 games, 7 starts, 22 catches, 212 yards (39 longest), 9.9 average, 1 TD, 1 fumble (lost); 5 carries, 26 yards (9 longest); 4 kickoff returns, 106 yards (31 longest)
Week 16 — 4:05 Sunday at Denver, Fox
Week 17 — 1 p.m. Sunday at Indianapolis, Fox
Michael Carter, Arizona Cardinals running back
Age 26 | 5–8, 201 | fifth NFL season | UNC 2017–20
Roster situation — Fourth-string running back
Season statistics — 10 games, 2 starts, 67 carries, 221 yards (11 longest), 1 touchdown; 28 catches on 30targets, 232 yards (18 longest); 1 kickoff return, 27 yards; 1 tackle
Week 16 — 4:05 Sunday vs. Atlanta, Fox
Week 17 — 1 p.m. Sunday at Cincinnati, Fox
Josh Downs, Indianapolis Colts wide receiver
Age 23 | 5–9, 171 | third NFL season | UNC 2020–22
Roster situation — Starting slot wide receiver
Season statistics — 13 games, 8 starts, 47 catches, 406 yards (34 longest), 4 touchdowns; 5 punt returns, 55 yards; 1 tackle
Week 16 — 8:15 Monday vs. San Francisco, ABC, ESPN
Week 17 — 1 p.m. Sunday vs. Jacksonville, Fox
Cedric Gray, Tennessee Titans linebacker
Age 22 | 6–2, 234 | second NFL season | UNC 2020–23
Roster situation — Starting left inside linebacker
Season statistics — 14 games, 14 starts, 82 tackles, 57 assists, 6 tackles for losses, 1 sack for 7 yards, 3 passes defended, 2 quarterback pressures, 1 quarterback hit, 2 special-teams tackles, 2 fumble recoveries
Week 16 — 1 p.m. Sunday vs. Kansas City, CBS
Week 17 — 1 p.m. Sunday vs. New Orleans, CBS
Omarion Hampton, Los Angeles Chargers running back
Age 22 | 6–0, 220 | rookie NFL season | UNC 2022–24
Roster situation — No. 2 running back
Season statistics — 7 games, 5 starts, 94 carries, 431 yards (54 longest), 2 touchdowns; 23 catches, 151 yards (22 longest), 1 touchdown; 1 fumble recovery
Week 16 — 1 p.m. Sunday at Dallas, Fox
Week 17 — 4:30 Saturday vs. Houston Texans, NFL Network
Charlie Heck, Tampa Bay Bucs offensive lineman
Age 28 | 6–8, 311 | sixth NFL season | UNC 2015–19
Roster situation — Backup right tackle behind Luke Goedeke
Season statistics — 15 games, 1 tackle; 694 offensive snaps, 58 special-teams snaps
Week 16 — 1 p.m. Sunday at Carolina, Fox
Week 17 — 1 p.m. Sunday at Miami, Fox
Cole Holcomb, Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker
Age 28 | 6–1, 240 | seventh NFL season | UNC 2015–18
Roster situation — Second-string right inside linebacker
Season statistics — 11 games, 3 starts, 19 tackles, 11 assists, 1 forced fumble, 5 special-teams tackles, 2 special-teams assists
Week 16 — 4:25 Sunday at Detroit, CBS
Week 17 — 1 p.m. Sunday at Cleveland, CBS
Mack Hollins, New England Patriots wide receiver
Age 31 | 6–4, 221 | ninth NFL season | UNC 2013–16
Roster situation — Starting wide receiver
Season statistics — 14 games, 10 starts, 39 catches, 481 yards (54 longest), 2 touchdowns; 1 carry, 4 yards; 1 tackle
Week 16 — 8:20 Sunday at Baltimore, NBC
Week 17 — 1 p.m. Sunday at New York Jets, Fox
Sam Howell, Philadelphia Eagles quarterback
Age 24 | 6–1, 225 | fourth NFL season | UNC 2019–21
Roster situation — Third-string quarterback
2024 season statistics (Seattle Seahawks); hasn’t played this season — 2 games, 5 of 14, 24 yards, 1 interception, 14.6 passer rating; 1 carry, 2 yards
Week 16 — 5 p.m. Saturday at Washington, Fox
Week 17 — 4:25 Sunday vs. Philadelphia, Fox
Mike Hughes, Atlanta Falcons cornerback
Age 28 | 5–10, 191 | eighth NFL season | UNC 2015
Roster situation — Starting right cornerback
Season statistics — 11 games, 11 starts, 32 tackles, 9 assists, 4 passes defended, 2 tackles for losses; 1 interception
Week 16 — 4:05 Sunday at Arizona, Fox
Week 17 — 8:15 Monday vs. Los Angeles Reams, ESPN
Drake Maye, New England Patriots quarterback
Age 22 | 6–4, 225 | second NFL season | UNC 2021–23
Roster situation —-Starting QB ahead of Joshua Dobbs
Season statistics — 14 games, 14 starts, 290 of 409, 3,567 (8.7 average; 72 longest), 70.9%, 23 touchdowns, 6 interceptions, 43 sacks (194 yards in losses), 109.1 passer rating; 85 carries, 362 yards (28 longest), 4 touchdowns; 1 two-point conversion run; 6 fumbles (2 lost, 1 recovered)
Week 16 — 8:20 Sunday at Baltimore, NBC
Week 17 — 1 p.m. Sunday at New York Jets, Fox
Asim Richards, New Orleans Saints offensive lineman
Age 24 | 6–4, 307 | third NFL season | UNC 2019–22
Roster situation — Second-string left tackle
Season statistics — 13 games, 4 starts, 295 offensive snaps, 42 special-teams snaps
Week 16 — 1 p.m. Sunday vs. New York Jets, CBS
Week 17 — 1 p.m. Sunday at Tennessee, CBS
Mitch Trubisky, Buffalo Bills quarterback
Age 30 | 6–3, 222 | ninth NFL season | UNC 2014–16
Roster situation — Second-string QB behind Josh Allen
Season statistics — 3 games, 3 of 6, 54 yards; 4 carries, 1 yard
Week 16 — 1 p.m. Sunday at Cleveland, CBS
Week 17 — 4:25 Sunday vs. Philadelphia, Fox
Tez Walker, Baltimore Ravens wide receiver
Age 24 | 6–1, 198 | second NFL season | UNC 2023
Roster situation — Third-string wide receiver
Season statistics — 8 games, 2 startes, 4 catches, 90 yards, 2 touchdowns, 2 special-teams assists
Week 16 — 8:20 Sunday vs. New England, NBC
Week 17 — 8 p.m. Saturday at Green Bay, Peacock
Javonte Williams, Dallas Cowboys running back
Age 25 | 5–10, 220 | fifth NFL season | UNC 2018–20
Roster situation — Starting running back ahead of Miles Sanders
Season statistics — 14 games, 14 starts, 230 carries, 1,113 yards (4.8 average; 66 longest), 10 touchdowns; 33 catches, 128 yards (3.9 average; 14 longest), 2 touchdowns
Week 16 — 1 p.m. Sunday vs. Los Angeles Chargers, Fox
Week 17 — 1 p.m. Thursday at Washington, Netflix
Out for season
Miami Dolphins defensive back Storm Duck, knee injury (season statistics: 2 games, 1 start, 1 tackle, 1 assist, 1 pass defended)
Houston Texans safety M.J. Stewart, quadriceps injury (season statistics: 9 games, 4 starts, 10 tackles, 8 assists, 2 passes defended, 1 forced fumble, 5 special-teams tackles, 2 special-teams assists)
On injured reserve
Minnesota Vikings running back Ty Chandler, knee injury
New York Giants offensive lineman Joshua Ezudu (IR with designation to return), undisclosed injury
Philadelphia Eagles center Willie Lampkin, leg injury (Rams released him in camp)
Seattle linebacker Chazz Surratt (ankle injury)
On practice squads
Baltimore linebacker Kaimon Rucker
New England linebacker Amari Gainer
Minnesota tight end Bryson Nesbit
On reserve/non-football injury list
Houston cornerback Alijah Huzzie
Waived from practice squads
Linebacker Power Echols by Chicago
Linebacker Tomon Fox by the New York Giants
Defensive tackle Jahvaree Ritzie by New England
Released during training camp
Linebacker Eugene Asanti by Miami
Tight end John Copenhaver by Jacksonville
Linebacker Desmond Evans by Tennessee
Wide receiver Nate McCollum by Arizona
Defensive back Kyler McMichael by Pittsburgh
Photo via @UNCFootball
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