Scouting NFL QB Prospect Drake Maye Ahead Of The 2024 Draft

April 9, 2024 by Staff

Drake Maye, the son of former North Carolina quarterback Mark Maye and younger brother of former North Carolina basketball player Luke Maye, was born in Charlotte while the Carolina Panthers were gearing up for their first season in the NFC South.

Maye started playing tackle football at a young age and fell in love with the game, although he also enjoyed playing basketball and baseball in high school.

During his sophomore and junior years at Myers Park High School, Maye threw an impressive 86 touchdowns and just seven interceptions, losing only three games in two seasons with the Mustangs. Despite the COVID-19 pandemic canceling his senior year, Maye was recognized as the Charlotte Observer's Male Athlete of the Year and participated in both the Under Armor All-American Game and the Elite 11 QB camp.

Maye definitely has the potential to excel as a starter in the NFL. He boasts a strong arm, good mobility, and an ability to make plays. Although he is not particularly known for his running ability, he has shown that he can be effective in the red zone. And while his mechanics need some improvement, he generally connects well with his receivers.

Some NFL teams may be concerned about his win-loss record as he has at least four losses in each of his two seasons as a starter at UNC, but should he pair up with a solid wide receiver under a fitting offensive system in the pros, he’s likely to win some games.

Most analysts have Maye as a top-10 pick on their draft boards, though he’s closer to 10. Some of the new NC sports betting sites will have odds on where he will end up. But, he has passed Heisman winner Jayden Daniels as a candidate for the No. 2 overall pick where the picks are concerned, so things have already gotten interesting.

The former Tar Heels star might be the best-built quarterback in the 2024 class. He’s quite an impressive physical specimen with great height, strong legs, and a wide chest, making him one of the best-built quarterbacks in his class.

May maintains his cool in the pocket, showing great poise and confidence under pressure. He has improved in this area since last year. He consistently makes good decisions and reads the field well before making his throws.

The 21-year-old rarely misses open targets, doesn't lock onto one receiver, and doesn't hold onto the ball too long. He's patient and knows how to freeze safeties with his eyes or pump-fakes. He's one of the best prospects in the class for making anticipatory throws into zone coverage, and his timing with his receivers is usually spot-on. He's also not afraid to throw into tight windows, which is something other quarterbacks in his class struggle with.

There are some areas where Maye needs improvement, such as his footwork and release. His dropbacks are not always centered and his feet are often too wide apart. He also does a semi-shuffle when he can stand or step up in the pocket. This causes timing issues and inaccurate throws. Maye admitted to trying to improve his footwork, but consistency will take.

Maye's throwing motion also is elongated, which causes problems with accuracy and ball placement, especially in the pros where windows close faster. He will need to work on his mechanics to avoid interceptions and incompletions. Maye also struggles with pass-rush pressure, not always knowing where it's coming from pre-snap and not adjusting post-snap. He'll need guidance from his coaches to figure out where the blitzes come from.

While he is athletic, the QB doesn't have quick-twitch agility, which makes it difficult for him to juke defenders when he's on the run. His hips don't rotate as quickly as other quarterbacks when he scans the field. While his lack of agility is just who he is as a runner, his hip rotation can be improved upon.

Perhaps the Minnesota Vikings would be the best fit for him in the NFL. The Vikings need a starter and are believed to be looking to trade up as they have two first-round picks in their pocket.

Kevin O'Connell's pass-heavy offense would certainly benefit a rookie QB looking for consistency in the pros. Maye's experience in both West Coast and Air Raid systems could make him a relatively easy fit.

Additionally, the presence of former mentor and new QB coach Josh McCown could be beneficial for Maye's development. That the Vikings have arguably the best wideout in the le league in Justin Jefferson also wouldn’t hurt.