Quarterbacks are widely expected to be the first two picks in the 2024 NFL Draft, with a strong possibility of being the top three picks in April. However, there is already buzz ahead of the NFL Scouting Combine suggesting one of the biggest names may fall.
The Chicago Bears, Washington Commanders and New England Patriots are all in the market for a quarterback this offseason. While Justin Fields is still in Chicago, the overwhelming consensus is that Fields will be traded in a matter of weeks with one clear option emerging for Chicago’s No. 1 pick.
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With the Washington Commanders hiring Kliff Kingsbury as offensive coordinator, it’s presumed that he is the top quarterback on Washington’s board. If the Bears were to draft him with the first pick, however, some believe it could have a domino effect on the rest of the 2024 NFL Draft impacting the other top quarterback prospects.
On a recent Move the Sticks podcast, NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein revealed that at least one NFL evaluator believes North Carolina Tar Heels quarterback Drake Maye could fall considerably in the 2024 NFL Draft.
- Drake Maye stats 2023: 3,608 passing yards, 24-9 TD-INT, 149.0 QB rating, 63.3% completion rate
“I talked to an NFL guy who thinks that Maye could be the guy who falls in this draft. He compared him to Levis.”
Lance Zierlein on conversation with an NFL talent evaluator on Drake Maye
When will Drake Maye be drafted?
In his sophomore season at North Carolina, Maye didn’t exactly match expectations. After a dominant redshirt freshman season – 4,321 passing yards, 157.9 QB rating, 38-7 TD-INT – Maye’s interception rate increased and he became a less accurate quarterback.
Maye also struggled with poor decision-making and his effectiveness when pressured and blitzed didn’t improve from 2022 to 2023.
- Drake Maye stats vs pressure (PFF): 43.3% completion rate 37th in FBS), 7-5 TD-INT, 69.0 NFL QB rating (25th in FBS), 28 sacks taken (19th-most)
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However, Maye is also only behind Williams among the most physically gifted quarterbacks in the 2024 NFL Draft. While he doesn’t have Williams’ athleticism, Maye is arguably a better pure passer at his best and he offers a frame (6-foot-4, 230 pounds) that should hold up better at the next level.
It’s critical to note that anonymous talent evaluators and NFL officials leak things every year on quarterbacks, some of it being smokescreens to influence a player’s draft stock. A year ago, some suggested C.J. Stroud would slide down the draft board and he became the Offensive Rookie of the Year after being selected No. 2 overall. For now, the expectation remains that the Commanders will take Maye second overall in the NFL Draft.
