Patriots get their quarterback, selecting North Carolina’s Drake Maye No. 3 in NFL draft - The Boston Globe (2024)

In the weeks leading up to Thursday, Wolf and Mayo publicly shared the Patriots were open for business with the No. 3 pick, with hopes of generating a significant trade offer. But such a deal never came to fruition, leading the Patriots to stay put and take Maye.

“We were very comfortable with Drake,” Mayo said. “Happy we got him.”

The Patriots got to know the 21-year-old Maye through his interview at the scouting combine, additional meetings at North Carolina’s Pro Day, and his visit to Gillette Stadium.

In Maye, the Patriots are getting a 6-foot-4-inch, 225-pound prospect with ideal size and impressive arm strength. Maye spent his three-year college career at North Carolina and was the starter for two seasons. In 2023, Maye threw for 3,608 yards, 24 touchdowns, and 9 interceptions with a 63.3 completion percentage.

Maye’s 2022 numbers — 4,321 passing yards, 38 touchdowns, and 7 interceptions — earned him ACC Player of the Year and multiple conference honors. But his production declined last season, in part because of a change in offensive coordinator. After replacing Phil Longo with Chip Lindsey, North Carolina’s offense became more run-heavy.

“He could have been a guy that was like, ‘Hey, I’ve already had success doing things the way I’ve done it. I don’t really want to change that,’ ” Lindsey told the Globe in March at UNC’s Pro Day. “He wasn’t that way at all.”

Maye’s strengths have drawn comparisons to Josh Allen, as they both can effortlessly sling the ball deep with top-end velocity and whip throws into tight windows. Like Allen, Maye also has the ability to scramble, totaling 449 rushing yards and nine touchdowns on 112 carries in 2023.

The Patriots are attracted to Maye’s ceiling but acknowledge the importance of nurturing his development. In his two seasons as a starter, Maye occasionally struggled with consistency and accuracy. He and Lindsey also made a concerted effort to clean up his footwork last year.

“He was a guy that really wanted to be coached,” Lindsey said. “He wanted to improve in certain areas. He wanted you not to treat him any differently than anybody else. He’s a very humble guy. He’s one of those guys that connect with everybody in the organization. That’s what I think is going to make him really successful at the next level, as talented of a guy that he is.”

Maye is the highest draft pick made by the Patriots since Drew Bledsoe (No. 1 overall in 1993).

As the Patriots move forward with their new regime, Wolf and Mayo seem to recognize the factors that ultimately led to the demise of Mac Jones, who was traded to the Jaguars in March.

“It’s not only the players you put around them but also the coaches that you put around this guy,” Mayo said in March at the NFL’s owners meetings. “Not only the coaches, but it can go all the way to the ops teams and things like that, to support a guy who plays the most important position in sports. To ask him as a rookie to come in is always going to be tough.”

Wolf and Mayo have expressed confidence that New England’s roster and coaching staff are equipped to support a rookie quarterback. Maye will work closely with senior offensive assistant Ben McAdoo, quarterbacks coach T.C. McCartney, offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt, and veteran quarterback Jacoby Brissett.

“We need to support him any way we can — on the field, off the field,” Wolf said. “We need to add some weapons to the offense. We need to shore up the offensive line. We have good players already at those positions, but really just increasing the depth and competition.”

The Patriots have seven picks remaining in this draft, though Wolf said the team is looking to maneuver the board to acquire additional picks.

If the Patriots do not believe Maye is ready to start Week 1, the 31-year-old Brissett is a serviceable bridge option who already has familiarity with Van Pelt’s offense, having worked with him for a season in Cleveland. Brissett was signed as a free agent in March to a one-year, $8 million contract.

Bailey Zappe and Nathan Rourke are also under contract for the 2024 season. Mayo indicated the team will hold a competition for the starting job.

“I don’t think many rookies are ready to just jump in and play,” Mayo said. “At the end of the day, our philosophy is: The best players will play. Coming in as a rookie, hopefully he’s a sponge. There are a lot of good players in that locker room.”

Nicole Yang can be reached at nicole.yang@globe.com.Follow her @nicolecyang.