Drake Maye's Market Basket meet-and-greet draws huge Patriots crowd

Drake Maye drew a massive crowd to a Market Basket location in Chelsea on Tuesday, where fans waited hours to meet the Patriots quarterback. Jonathan Andrews arrived at 4 a.m. to secure a spot in line, telling Boston.com he wanted to ensure he did not miss the event. "I always would rather overplan than underplan," he said.

Andrews described the chance to meet the young signal-caller as rare, noting, "This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to meet somebody of Drake Maye's stature. I didn't want to miss out on it." The line snaked around the store as fans wore No. 10 jerseys and even pajama pants featuring Maye's face. Guillermo, an 18-year Market Basket employee, kept his work uniform on but noted, "I was going to put the jersey on, but I had to keep my uniform on."

Once the meet-and-greet began at 5 p.m., fans expressed high excitement after their brief interactions. One supporter shouted, "Dude, that was [expletive] sick!" while another added, "Bro, he asked me how I was doing." This surge in fan engagement comes just before the Patriots face the Miami Dolphins on Sunday, Nov. 1.

Fantasy impact

Yahoo Sports reported that Maye threw for over 300 yards against the Chicago Bears on Thursday, Oct. 22, and scored a rushing touchdown in that loss. Tom Brady highlighted this specific play, stating, "I tell you, all the players love seeing their quarterback do tough things on the field."

Maye has shown resilience after a slow start to the season, with Brady noting that the quarterback's ability to run through defenders and plunge into the end zone provides a lift for the team. This performance suggests Maye is finding his rhythm, which could translate to more consistent fantasy scoring against the Dolphins.

What to do

Start Drake Maye as a QB1 for Sunday's game against the Dolphins based on his recent 300-yard passing performance and rushing touchdown. The quarterback has shown improved form and toughness in his last outing, moving past his early-season turnover issues.

Monitor the Patriots' offensive line performance on Sunday, as Maye's ability to extend plays and run for scores was a major factor in his latest game.