Player C completed 28 of 44 pass attempts (63.6 percent) for 242 yards, no touchdowns and no interceptions. He was sacked five times in a 25-9 loss.

Player B would be considered the best, right? He didn’t turn the ball over and, at the time, recorded the highest completion percentage among rookie quarterbacks making their first NFL start with at least 25 pass attempts.

Player B was Mac Jones from New England. Player A was Buffalo’s Josh Allen. Player C was Houston’s CJ Stroud.

As Patriots rookie quarterback Drake Maye prepares for his first NFL start, it’s important to remember that what happens on Sunday won’t necessarily be representative of what’s to come. Jones ended his rookie season on a downward trajectory, ultimately losing his starting job (and confidence) amid a crumbling infrastructure.

So regardless of his stats, what can we expect from Maye against the Texans?

The Patriots are hopeful that his arm strength and athleticism will open up more options for the offense. Comparing his game to Allen’s, Maye possesses impressive mobility, along with the ability to play off the scheme and off the platform. One of his strengths is that he can create things on the go.

Maye, however, acknowledged the fine line between effective freelancing and unnecessary stretching outside the pocketbook. He emphasized the importance of playing on time and in rhythm.

“I think in the beginning you just have to try to take what they give me and find completions,” Maye said. “I think that’s the most important thing for a young quarterback going in there. From then on, don’t try to chase throws off the platform, off the play, or off the schedule. I think you just have to feel it and play football.”

Offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt said navigating that balance should be intuitive for a player with Maye’s skills and background. As a freshman at North Carolina in 2022, Maye ran 184 times for 698 yards (3.8 yards per attempt) and seven touchdowns. In 2023, he ran 112 times for 449 yards (4 yards per attempt) and nine touchdowns.

According to Van Pelt, Maye demonstrated such instincts during the offensive versus defensive periods during training camp, taking advantage of openings to convert third downs by scrambling.

“Knowing when there’s a crease that he can maybe sneak through and use his legs, I think that comes naturally to those guys,” Van Pelt said. “Obviously on time and in rhythm, a lot of what we have to do is based on (the Texans’) ability to rush the passer. But there will be opportunities for him to use his legs and hopefully make yards, and protect himself there at the end of that run as well.

The Patriots are starting to establish continuity across the offensive line as the unit is set to start a repeat combination – Vederian Lowe at left tackle, Michael Jordan at left guard, Nick Leverett at center, Mike Onwenu at right guard and Demontrey Jacobs at right tackle – for the first this season. However, until the group can consistently pass protection, Maye can often find themselves in trouble.

The Texans, with defensive ends Will Anderson and Danielle Hunter, have registered the highest pressures in the league, while the Patriots have relinquished the highest pressures. Maye is familiar with similar circumstances, having faced constant pressure during his two seasons as a starter at North Carolina.

Van Pelt expressed confidence in Maye’s improvement in handling the blitz.

“As a quarterback, especially a young quarterback, you have to know how to protect yourself,” Van Pelt said. “Where the problems are, how the protections are set up and where the gaps are in those protections, and I think he’s made great progress there. Yesterday we had a blitz period to start practicing against our defense. Six plays. He was 6 for 6 in making decisions and understanding the issues.”

Van Pelt also acknowledged that he can help protect Maye through his play-calling.

“There will certainly be ways that we can make sure that we address situations where there is a lot of pressure,” he said. “I don’t want to get into schemes, but there are a lot of different ways to help through play calls, whether that’s more ball running, quick play, screen and everything that comes with that. But I’m trying to find ways to undo that rush.”

Maye is still going to make mistakes on Sunday. Coaches and players know that. His stats may not be pretty. New England is most likely going to lose. But the Patriots are hopeful his debut will be a step in the right direction for Maye’s development, the team’s record and the future of the franchise.

Nicole Yang can be reached at [email protected]. Follow her @nicolecyang.