There’s no doubt that adding Drake Maye in the NFL Draft was the best thing the New England Patriots could have done back in 2024. After just two seasons, he was in the Super Bowl and finishing second in MVP voting. Now, it looks like the Las Vegas Raiders are hoping for similar results from Fernando Mendoza.
The Indiana Hoosiers quarterback is being projected to go first overall in this year’s NFL Draft, and with just days before the first round, the hype around Mendoza is through the roof.
Among those excited about Mendoza is a scout who recently spoke to Bruce Feldman of The Athletic. That scout recently made an extremely bold comparison, to Maye, explaining that he feels better about Mendoza’s traits than he did about Maye’s.
“I think (Mendoza) has the answers to the test. I loved Cam Ward, but Fernando’s a better prospect than him. There are some physical traits in terms of arm strength and ability to run, where Drake Maye may have a little more, but I feel much better about Fernando than I did about Drake — and I like Drake,” the anonymous scout said. “Fernando shows that he knows how to handle adversity. You see it all over the tape: Bouncing back from getting hit against Miami in the title game. Throwing picks, coming back against Oregon and Penn State.”
Certainly, that’s massive praise for Mendoza. If it works out, then he should certainly prove to be a formidable force in the AFC, presumably playing for the Raiders and former Patriots quarterback Tom Brady.
It’s Hard to Understate Drake Maye’s Value to the New England Patriots
GettyNew England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye
Following the departure of Tom Brady, the New England Patriots found themselves out in the cold at the quarterback position. A year of Cam Newton was quickly followed by the failed Mac Jones era, and the awkward departure of Bill Belichick led to the disastrous Jerod Mayo season.
Drake Maye would be selected ahead of that season when the team was led by Mayo. It was immediately a difficult position to be thrown into, with an inexperienced and highly criticized coach and a struggling roster. For some quarterbacks, it could have stunted his career. Instead, with a new staff and new system in 2025, Maye hit the ground running and put up a phenomenal season.
In 2025, Maye completed 72% of his passes for 4,394 yards and 31 touchdowns. He would also rush for 450 yards and 4 touchdowns. That got the Patriots back to the playoffs and eventually the Super Bowl.
Much of the credit for that goes to the coaching staff, but it was the players like Maye who made it happen on the field. Now, he looks like he should be a franchise cornerstone for the foreseeable future.
Drake Maye Learned an Important Lesson in the Super Bowl
GettyNew England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye
Drake Maye has had some time to reflect on the Super Bowl loss now. There was plenty he’d do differently if he could. That much is certain, but there’s a silver lining too. He can take away a lesson from the loss.
“It’s humbling,” Maye said. “You got to get back to work. When you’re so close and within reach, you want that feeling. Everybody says you’ll be back. It’s not that easy, so we got to get back to work. And I’m looking forward to try to prove to myself that I can get back.”
Maye and the Patriots are certainly getting back to work now. The voluntary offseason program has opened up the same week as the NFL Draft. There, Maye is in attendance and looking to continue to improve as a leader and quarterback in this league.
NFL Scout Makes a Bold Claim Comparing Fernando Mendoza to Drake Maye