The New England Patriots entered the season finale at the top of the NFL Draft order. By the time quarterback Joe Milton was finished carving up the Buffalo Bills' defense, the Patriots had slipped to fourth.

New England Patriots quarterback Joe Milton III was nominated for the Pepsi Zero Sugar Rookie of the Week award for Week 18.

Mostly, Milton showed how much he had progressed and developed from training camp and the preseason. His footwork, accuracy and quarterback play in general had improved. Like Maye, he developed well under offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt and QB coach T.C. McCartney.