Not every organization can have Patrick Mahomes. For the other NFL teams still searching for their franchise quarterback, they’ll turn to the 2024 NFL Draft instead, which features a star-studded class including USC’s Caleb Williams and North Carolina’s Drake Maye, among others.
Of course, not every team that needs a QB will be in a position to land one. Yet, when scouts feel strong enough about an upcoming prospect, teams get bold and try trading up for them instead, like what we saw with Bryce Young, Trey Lance, and Carson Wentz, among others.
Entering the season, all the talk was about Caleb Williams, but according to ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr., Maye isn’t far behind.
“Caleb has a chance to be one of the higher-rated quarterbacks I’ve had when we are all the way finished with the process — in that No. 5-10 group. Drake will be just slightly below, if you go by today. There’s not a huge gap there.”
Mel Kiper Jr. on Drake Maye and Caleb Williams
According to The New York Post, one “scout with a history of accurate QB assessments anticipates Maye will grade higher than 8-of-9 QBs drafted in the past three years, including Bryce Young and C.J. Stroud.” Our guess? That means Maye would be graded higher than all QBs drafted since 2021, aside from what we’re guessing is Trevor Lawrence, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft.
Here are the QBs drafted in the first round since 2021:
- Trevor Lawrence, Jacksonville Jaguars – No. 1 pick in 2021
- Zach Wilson, New York Jets – No. 2 pick in 2021
- Trey Lance, San Francisco 49ers – No. 3 pick in 2021
- Justin Fields, Chicago Bears – No. 11 pick in 2021
- Mac Jones, New England Patriots – No. 15 pick in 2021
- Kenny Pickett, Pittsburgh Steelers – No. 20 pick in 2022
- Bryce Young, Carolina Panthers – No. 1 pick in 2023
- C.J. Stroud, Houston Texans – No. 2 pick in 2023
- Anthony Richardson, Indianapolis Colts – No. 4 pick in 2023
One prospect Maye has routinely drawn NFL player comparisons to is Chargers QB Justin Herbert. While Maye is listed at 6-foot-4, and Herbert is listed at 6-foot-6, the similarities come from their pocket mobility and laid-back attitude, along with the ability to sling the rock.
“He’s a relaxed kid,” one NFL offensive coach said. “He’s kind of raw in the fundamentals because he’s had a lot of coordinators, but there’s a lot to work with. He throws a nice ball, but there’s not a lot of sudden movement in his game, so it’s interesting to see if there’s a little more quick twitch you can get out of him that Herbert has.”
Anonymous NFL coach on what he sees in Drake Maye
While Maye looks impressive at this point, ESPN draft analyst Matt Miller still states, “Players like Maye come around, but players like Caleb Williams don’t come around very often.”
There may only be one team that gets a chance to select Williams, who’s still projected to be the No. 1 overall pick. But for the teams still searching for a QB in April, the question becomes, is Maye the solution?
Related: Top 10 college football quarterbacks: Who’s the best QB in college this year?