The Drake Maye era for the New England Patriots begins this weekend in Foxborough against the Houston Texans, and given how quarterback Jacoby Brissett fared through his five-game stint as the starter, Maye will likely be under siege early and often.
The Patriots have the worst offensive line in the NFL, according to Pro Football Focus, which has allowed 83 pressures, 52 hurries, 18 QB hits and 19 sacks through five weeks, and if the team wants Maye to make it through his rookie season healthy, it should consider bolstering the protection in front of him.
The Bleacher Report scouting department feels the same way, which is why they pitched a trade proposal that upgrade Maye’s blindside blocking with Jacksonville Jaguars offensive tackle Walker Little.
“[New England’s] problem is that this offensive line isn’t going to allow them to get a good look at what Drake Maye can do unless changes are made,” the Bleacher Report scouting department wrote. “One of those changes could be trading for Walker Little. ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler recently noted that Little could become available if the Jaguars continue to struggle. Little has looked good when he’s had opportunities to play, and he’s young enough that he could be a long-term answer in New England.”
Sep 19, 2024; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye (10) gets sacked hard by New York Jets linebacker Jamien Sherwood (44) in the 4th quarter at MetLife Stadium.
Robert Deutsch-Imagn Images
Maye already experienced a little of what he’s in store for during his relief appearance in New England’s 24-3 Week 3 loss to the New York Jets. The rookie QB was sacked twice on just 12 drop backs.
Though Vederian Lowe is doing a solid job at the Pats’ current left tackle, he’s taken just 446 offensive snaps at left tackle in three NFL seasons and is still green for the position.
Conversely, Little has 1,082 offensive snaps at left tackle since 2021, and he’s started 17 games on the left side, including 11 games last season while Cam Robinson was serving a suspension. Little, who’s played just 25 snaps this season (one at LT and 24 at right tackle), averages one pressure allowed for every 22 snaps played.
Adding Little and plugging him in on the left side would allow the Patriots to move Lowe to right tackle, shift Mike Onwenu from RT back to right guard where he’s much more effective, and bolster three offensive line spots with one trade.
