As a rookie, Drake Maye had a 35% pressure rate, which ranked #15 out of 46 QBs.
He only took sacks on 22% of his pressures, which was the #16 highest rate.
He took a sack or scrambled on a whopping 19% of dropbacks, which was the #3 most.
The Patriots talked about improving their offense and made moves to do just that.
They brought in a new offensive coordinator and new offensive linemen.
So, through three weeks, has there been improvement?
In some ways, yes, but in others, no.
Maye is being pressured on 33% of dropbacks, which is the 10th lowest instead of the 15th highest.
But he is taking sacks on 28% of his pressures, which ranks #4 most, behind only J.J. McCarthy, Cam Ward, and Carson Wentz.
And his sack plus scramble rate is still at 19%, same as last year.
So far this year, Maye has taken 12 sacks, which ranks #2 most behind Ward.
New England must work on making Maye more decisive in the pocket.
His regression in sack rate on pressures is alarming. It’s getting worse, not better.
The Patriots' best offense has come from the passing game.
They have been terrible when running the ball so far this year:
#32 in rushing EPA
#32 in early down rushing
#29 in rushing success
#21 in YPC
Their RBs are fumbling it left and right, and the coaching staff may have no option but to pass the ball at a slightly higher rate.
They rank #4 in passing success rate, #2 in completion rate, #9 in EPA per dropback, and have the #5 highest rate of 10+ yard gains per pass attempt.
It’s pretty clear they are better served leaning into the passing game a bit more, but they need to help Maye do a better job of being decisive with his decision making in the pocket and avoid these negative plays
