QB Drake Maye Through the Eyes of a Former NFL Scout

There is no question North Carolina’s Drake Maye has all the makings of being a franchise NFL quarterback (QB).

He is the poster child for QB camps and conjures up thoughts of former NFL QBs Tom Brady, Matt Ryan, and Andrew Luck.

Maye “looks the part,” as they say in scouting.

He plays smart and has the size, athletic ability, and arm strength. Not to mention, other parts of his game translate well to the next level.

Maturity

This North Carolina QB’s maturity level jumps off the screen.

I have now watched every single snap from last season, and I will say that it was astonishing to think he was a red-shirt freshman.

There aren’t any words...

He had total command of the offense, and there was nothing but confidence, intensity and focus in his eyes.

Demeanor

Game in and game out, Maye looked the same in terms of his demeanor and body language.

He…just…keeps…chipping…away…at…defenses.

Maye brings a steady, methodical, and consistent feel to the offense. This earned him the nickname “60 Minutes” from me, named after the popular CBS show that has aired since 1968.

He is as even-keeled as they come.

After plays, when the cameras hone in on him, he looks intent on getting the next play from the sideline and then carrying out his assignment.

It’s the same thing game after game.

Competitive

When I was with the Jets, one of Head Coach Bill Parcells’ “critical factors of scouting,” was, “Is football important to him?”

The answer with Maye – – is yes.

How can we tell?

By how he runs the ball.

Maye might even be too competitive given the way he sacrifices his body on most of his runs.

In fact, this is my chief concern with him – – can he hold up physically given all the contact?

Protecting the ball

This is one of the most important attributes for a QB – – keeping the football out of reach of defenders when it’s in the air.

While I will be the first to admit, Maye has decent, but not great downfield ball placement. At times it’s too high or he can even short-hop it. Half the games it looked more on-point than the other half. At times, it looks like he is pressing and aiming too much.

Maye threw seven interceptions and defenders got a hand on his passes and were able to break them up 27x in 14 games total (1.93 avg.).

That’s the best average I think I’ve seen so far in this draft class.

#10 Drake Maye 6-foot-4, 220 pounds

Daniel Kelly’s Summer 2023 Grade: First-Round (I would select him)

Projected by 94.7% of the NFL Draft Community to be a first-round pick as of June 22, 2023 (nflmockdraftdatabase.com)

Previous article (2022: 8 games evaluated) Drake Maye Giving Tom Brady Vibes

Additional 2022 game film reviewed: Oregon, Duke, Virginia, NC State, Virginia Tech, and Georgia State (click to view games watched to form this evaluation)

2022 stats: 342/517 (66.2%), 4321 yards, 38 TD, 7 INT, sacked 40 times, long-80 yards

2024 NFL Draft Scouting Report

Technically sound cerebral athletic field general with a strong arm and decent placement. Smooth, fluid, poised, and consistent. Maintains composure. Nothing rattles him. Flows well in the pocket with average awareness. Goes through progressions. Can make quick throws and beat the blitz when he sees it. Spreads the ball around. Makes all the throws at all three route levels. Produces in high-pressure situations (led the nation with six second-half comebacks). Mobile. Can bail out and run competitively (184 carries, 698 yards). Sustains a lot of contact running.

What to watch for during the 2023 College Football Season

1. Quicker release (cut down on sacks)?

2. Reduce defended passes?

3. Better job protecting his body (sliding and running out of bounds)?

4. Less rushing attempts?

Daniel Kelly is a former NFL Scout with the New York Jets. He was hired on the regime which featured Bill Parcells, Bill Belichick, Scott Pioli, Mike Tannenbaum, and Dick Haley. He is currently the Editor-in-Chief for First Round Mock and has written for Sports Illustrated Lions, Jets, and 49ers, as well as a featured guest on ESPN Radio and Fox Sports Radio. For more information about him visit his website at whateverittakesbook.com. He can be followed on Twitter @firstroundmock.