The supporting cast – or lack thereof – surrounding Drake Maye during his rookie campaign with the Patriots was arguably the worst in the NFL. The Patriots had a matador-like offensive line that gave Maye no support, and New England’s group of receivers instilled no fear in opposing defensive coordinators.

That appears to be changing this year, with the cast of characters surrounding Maye already making him one of the league’s biggest winners as teams concluded roster cutdowns this week.

Even though the Patriots released receivers Kendrick Bourne and Javon Baker after they initially made the final 53-man roster – indications that more moves could be coming – Maye’s group of receivers, headlined by the arrivals of Stefon Diggs and Mack Hollins, is already miles better than the 2024 group. Rookie running back TreVeyon Henderson will have a large role in the offense and has the breakaway speed the Patriots have lacked in recent years.

Drake Maye is by far the Patriots’ biggest cutdown day winner

Eliot Wolf’s biggest priority this offseason was setting the roster up so Maye could succeed. The fact that he was a Pro Bowl alternate as a rookie with a terrible roster around him speaks to the talent and potential that the second-year signal caller has. If the Patriots are going to turn things around this year, Maye has to be a big part of why.

In addition to the playmakers the Patriots added, rookie offensive linemen Will Campbell and Jared Wilson had outstanding preseasons and are significant assets to a rebuilt group up front that will hopefully give Maye plenty of time to throw.

You also have to remember that the Patriots’ defense, where most of the team’s free-agent money was spent, is reloaded. Even though the league is an offense-first league nowadays, constantly having to win games that are track meets puts constant pressure on a quarterback.

With a defense that is built to stymie opponents, Maye is a winner. He also has established coaches in Mike Vrabel and Josh McDaniels. Jerod Mayo and Alex Van Pelt had done next to nothing as NFL coaches, and the results showed on the field last year.

Maye has the players around him to put up incredible numbers this season, and Wolf has suggested the Patriots aren’t done adding players and could swing a trade at some point. But this initial final roster is a big win for the second-year quarterback.