The NFL Combine gives scouts and talent evaluators the chance to closely examine a draft prospect like Drake Maye’s skills, traits and mindsets. Throughout this process, players are graded on several things. For quarterbacks, it’s things like arm strength, accuracy, timing, and the ability to process information, among many other factors.
Not only are scouts looking to identify a prospect’s strengths, but they’re also looking for weaknesses, trying to get the best gauge on a player’s ceiling while trying to determine how low their floor is when it comes to talent level.
For Maye, he’s currently being viewed as a likely top-three pick, with most expecting the Washington Commanders to select him second overall. Maye has done all he can do at the college level, ending a three year career with the North Carolina Tar Heels, now it’s time to impress NFL scouts, and he’s off to a strong start.
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Drake Maye’s 80-yard throw shows he has incredible arm strength
As one of the top prospects in the 2024 NFL Draft class, Drake Maye has many fans, and many suitors when it comes to teams hoping to add the QB to their team. Yet, he may not be on the draft board for very long.
Maye has done all he can do in college, now his next chances to impress include the NFL Combine and later at his North Carolina pro day. Yet, videos like this will have to serve as our highlight reel until more clips emerge.
Drake Maye casually throwing a football 80 yards
— NFL Notifications (@NFLNotify) February 25, 2024
Is he a locked in top 3 pick? pic.twitter.com/RCAkPFvlBz
For those who aren’t counting, that’s roughly an 80-yard throw by Maye. Sure, he doesn’t have pads on, there’s no pass rush, and he has all the time in the world to wind up and uncork the bomb downfield. Still, other athletes could never pull this off, not even at advanced levels of elevation at Mile High or if they were throwing with the wind.
But Maye? He makes this look effortless. No wonder he’s drawn comparisons to Justin Herbert.