NFL preseason takeaways: Drake Maye shines for Patriots in relief of injured Jacoby Brissett
from Mike Santa Barbara with YardBarker.com/www.yardbarker.com
On Sunday, the NFL wrapped up its 2024 preseason schedule.
The Tennessee Titans knocked off the New Orleans Saints, 30-27, the Denver Broncos downed the Arizona Cardinals, 38-12, and the Washington Commanders defeated the New England Patriots, 20-10.
Here are a few takeaways from the action:
Drake Maye made a case to be the Patriots starter in Week 1
Who will line up as quarterback for the Patriots to kick off the 2024 campaign? That’s up in the air after would-be starter Jacoby Brissett left Sunday’s preseason finale with a right shoulder injury. But Maye, the No. 3 pick, filled in nicely in relief, potentially putting New England’s mind at ease.
Maye finished 13-of-20 for 126 yards and a touchdown. But he made plays with his legs, scrambling for a 17-yard gain in the first quarter.
The former North Carolina standout went 21-of-34 for 192 yards, adding 32 rushing yards (seven attempts) during the preseason finale. If Brissett isn’t healthy enough to play, Maye showed he may be ready to take the throne early.
Titans’ new-look offense seems to suit QB Will Levis
Levis cautioned that it’s “only preseason” when speaking with Titans reporter Jim Wyatt after finishing 7-of-8 for 118 yards in the Titans’ 30-27 win over the Saints on Sunday. Still, the second-year quarterback is clearly adjusting well to new head coach Brian Callahan’s system.
Operating an offense built on quick throws, play-action and screens, Levis has thrived. He finished 11-of-13 for 153 yards and a rushing touchdown, leading Tennessee to 24 points over four drives.
How that success will translate to the regular season remains to be seen. But, another positive takeaway from the preseason finale saw Levis connect on deep passes to two of his new weapons, wideouts Calvin Ridley (two catches, 39 yards) and Tyler Boyd (one catch, 22 yards)
Issues at offensive tackle may be too hard for Saints to ignore
It may not be time to press the panic button yet, but the Saints could have problems at both starting tackle positions. Against the Titans, 2024 first-round pick LT Taliese Fuaga and RT Trevor Penning looked shaky at best, which isn’t the best look two weeks away from the season opener.
Perhaps the biggest issue for the Saints is no one is coming to save them. There’s little depth beyond Fuaga and Penning on the roster, save for sixth-year veteran Olisaemeka Udoh (two starts since 2021), third-year tackle Landon Young (seven career starts) and rookie seventh-rounder Josiah Ezirim.
The Cardinals should be in the market for a backup QB
Considering that two-time Pro Bowler Kyler Murray had his 2023 campaign delayed nine weeks due to an ACL injury suffered the previous year, having a reliable backup option at quarterback would be ideal for the Cardinals. However, with Week 1 right around the corner, it remains uncertain if the team possesses one.
Backups Clayton Tune (12-of-17, 119 yards, sacked three times) and Desmond Ridder (10-of-16, 111 yards) were underwhelming in their final auditions. That might have the Cardinals investigating other options, as it’s hard to imagine the team having prolonged success with either at the helm.
Strong preseason offers hope for the Broncos
Searching for their first winning season since 2016, the Broncos could use something to hang their collective hat on. Following an exciting preseason, they may have it.
During the tune-up period, the Broncos were one of the better teams in the NFL on both sides of the ball. Following Sunday’s 26-point beatdown of the Cardinals, Denver finished with the third-best point-differential (+56) in the league, trailing only the Jacksonville Jaguars (+57) and Chicago Bears (+68), who played four preseason tilts.