Bill Belichick is no longer with the New England Patriots, but the legendary coach didn’t seem to be a fan of the Pats’ first draft choice Thursday night.
The legendary coach appeared as an analyst on Pat McAfee’s NFL Draft Spectacular simulcast and when the Patriots picked North Carolina quarterback Drake Maye No. 3 overall, Belichick seemed skeptical.
“I think that’s certainly a top need for them,” Belichick said. “Drake compares himself a lot to Josh Allen. He’s been doing that for a quite a while. We’ll see about that. I think there are some similarities in size and athleticism, but Josh Allen is a pretty special player now.”
Belichick’s “We’ll see about that” seemed to draw a short laugh from McAfee.
Before the draft, Belichick had publicly noted some issues with Maye’s skill set, and he doubled down on those thoughts Thursday. In fairness, he pointed out some positives, but he raised plenty of questions. It’s clear he doesn’t think Maye is a match for Allen, certainly not yet.
“A very talented kid. Good size, runs well, has a good arm,” Belichick said, as he broke down Maye’s highlight tape. “He just hasn’t played very much. He really doesn’t have a lot of experience. He makes some big plays … He’s going to need some work in reading defenses, reading coverages. … He’s quick to come off the receiver. … He’s kind of quick to bail in the pocket.”
[Photo Credit: Pat McAfee Show Draft Spectacular]
About Arthur Weinstein
Arthur spends his free time traveling around the U.S. to sporting events, state and national parks, and in search of great restaurants off the beaten path.