Puka Nacua Puts Drake Maye in Elite Company: “That Guy’s Playing Out of His Mind”
When Rams wideout Puka Nacua speaks, people around the league tend to listen. And this week, the rising star didn’t hold back when asked to name his top three quarterbacks in the NFL.
Sitting down on Adin Ross’ Kick stream, Nacua gave the expected nod to his own quarterback, Matthew Stafford, as his No. 1.
But it was his next pick that raised eyebrows - and turned heads.
“It’s got to be Drake Maye,” Nacua said. “That guy’s playing out of his mind right now.”
That’s high praise from one of the league’s breakout receivers, and it speaks volumes about the impact Maye is having in just his second NFL season. At 23 years old, the New England Patriots quarterback is already turning heads - not just with fans, but with fellow players who know what elite quarterback play looks like up close.
Maye’s nickname, “Drake ‘Drake Maye’ Maye,” might sound like something out of a meme, but it’s catching on fast. And frankly, it fits. The guy’s been playing with a level of confidence and poise that belies his age and situation.
Let’s talk context. Maye isn’t exactly surrounded by a dream team.
He’s been operating without a true WR1 and has spent much of the season protected by two rookies on the left side of the offensive line. That’s a tough ask for any quarterback, let alone a second-year player still finding his footing in the NFL.
And yet, the numbers speak for themselves: 3,567 passing yards, 23 touchdowns, and just seven interceptions - with three games still left on the schedule. That’s not just solid production; that’s MVP-caliber output, especially when you consider the circumstances.
What makes Maye’s season even more impressive is the contrast with someone like Stafford, who’s having a stellar year in his own right but with the benefit of a veteran supporting cast and a more stable offensive infrastructure in Los Angeles. Maye, by comparison, is doing more with less - and making it look easy.
So when Nacua singles him out as one of the top three quarterbacks in the league, it’s not just a hot take - it’s a signal that Maye’s ascent is being recognized by the players who line up on Sundays and actually live it.
The Patriots may not be in the Super Bowl conversation just yet, but with Maye under center, they’ve got a cornerstone to build around. And if he keeps this up, we might not be talking about him as just one of the top young QBs in the league - we’ll be talking about him as one of the best, period.
For now, the nickname sticks. Drake “Drake Maye” Maye is earning every bit of the hype - and then some.