NFL Rumors: Drake Maye’s Upside Called ‘Outrageous’ by Scouts Before NFL Draft 2024

Jack MurrayMarch 24, 2024

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NFL Draft prospect Drake Maye is generating some intrigue ahead of the 2024 NFL Draft.

In an appearance on SportsCenter, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported that NFL scouts view Maye’s potential as “outrageous” and consider him a fascinating option:

“Drake Maye from UNC, maybe the most interesting prospect of all the quarterbacks because the upside from scouts I’ve talked to is outrageous,” Fowler said. “Big-time arm; big, sturdy player. Maybe he could be shades of Justin Herbert down the road or even a Josh Allen from the style of play that he can have. But teams want to see a little bit better accuracy. They said that was an issue in college. Some of that is the supporting cast but when he’s throwing on air at UNC teams are going to want to see him be pinpoint with his accuracy.”

The concept that Maye is a potential game changer isn’t a major swing. He is listed as the No. 3 overall player and the No. 1 quarterback by Bleacher Report’s Derrik Klassen. Still, USC quarterback Caleb Williams is the likely No. 1 pick across various mock drafts, and Maye is jousting for position with reigning Heisman winner Jayden Daniels for that No. 2 spot.

Daniels and Williams put up more impressive numbers in college than Maye, but he was certainly no slouch. He had 8,018 career passing yards and 63 touchdowns with just 16 interceptions in 30 career games and also won ACC Player of the Year in 2022.

He also passes the eye test with a 6’5″, 220-pound frame and has some dual-threat ability, with more than 1,000 career rushing yards in college. He will also be just 22-years-old during his rookie season, so he has plenty of time to develop within a system.

The first round of the 2024 NFL Draft will take place April 25 in Detroit.