Fellow Patriots rookie closely saw how Drake Maye has evolved and is excited to watch him play

FOXBOROUGH, Mass - Drake Maye and Joe Milton started their NFL journeys together at the beginning of the 2024 season.

Maye was selected in the first round with the third overall pick in the most recent NFL Draft, while Milton was drafted in the sixth round by the Patriots.

So the two have gotten close, being together so often on and off the field.

And now, the opportunity has come for Maye to start against the Houston Texans on Sunday.

So, Milton took some time to speak with A to Z Sports exclusively about this opportunity for the fellow rookie.

"Most definitely," Milton said when asked if he's excited for Maye. "I feel like that goes for anybody in the NFL. If you're a rookie, your dream is always to come to the NFL and play. And for him to get his shot this weekend is a great opportunity for him."

Throughout the week, Maye has been praised for his growth throughout his short time in New England, and Milton agreed.

"Just the growth of the knowledge of understand the offense," Milton said. "We put the time in to actually get opportunities in practice, even if you're doing scout, to grow.

"Especially when you got guys that actually plays the receiver position that goes out there with us on scout, just to get a connection with them, get to feel how they run routes. No matter if it's our offense or someone else's, get a chance to grow at that."

In the first five games, Jacoby Brissett got the start, with head coach Jerod Mayo saying that the veteran gave them the best chance to win. However, after a rough start to the season that includes a four-game losing streak, the team is going in another direction on offense.

It's a difficult spot for Brissett to be in, losing his starting role, but still being a captain on the team. However, Milton explained how the veteran is ensuring that he still there for the two rookies.

"He's been doing that since we got here. He's been showing us the way. And I give props to him for being able to do that. Just as a man, you have to own up to the responsibility of showing the young guys the way," Milton explained. "And that's something I did at Tennessee, and I'm pretty sure Drake did the same thing at UNC for his younger guys.

"So it's good to see Jacoby do that for us."