Case File No. 6: Drake Maye

 

Drake Maye (10). Photo Credit: tarheelswire.usatodaycom.

Today, we open up the file of North Carolina quarterback Drake Maye, whom I project to be a Top Five pick in next year's NFL draft, if he picks up from where he left off or better. Before I continue, visit rdxsports.com and become a part of Team RDX. Get the latest on martial arts and fitness gear at a 10% discount.

Position: Quarterback

HT: 6-5 WT: 220

College: North Carolina

Class: Redshirt Sophomore

Credentials:

ACC Player of the Year

ACC Offensive Player of the Year

ACC Rookie of the Year

ACC Offensive Rookie of the Year

First-Team All-ACC

Strengths:

-Has the arm strength to make all the throws

-Accurate

-Good touch on his deep throws

-Has good placement on his short, intermediate throws

-Great pocket presence; goes through his progressions, usually makes the right decisions

-Able to extend plays from the pocket with his footwork

-Can make throws under pressure

-Has mobility for a guy his size

Weaknesses:

-Being smarter when becoming a runner; tends to take unnecessary hits

-Although his accuracy is there for the most part, he had moments where he underthrew or threw past open receivers

Final Analysis:

There was a quarterback competition between Drake Maye and Jacolby Criswell in the spring of last season, but by Week Zero, not only did Drake win the job, but he took it and ran away with it.

There is plenty to like from Drake's tape. Although this was his first season as a full-time starter, for the most part, he looked like a veteran out there. He did ease up on the risky plays (i.e. taking unnecessary hits) as the season progressed, but this was an issue at the beginning.

I also saw at times when he made poor throws to open receivers. Now, I understand every throw is not going to be the perfect throw, that's a lofty expectation, to say the least, for any quarterback, but it's an area where he can improve.

All in all, I'll say the same thing about him heading into this season as I said about Bryce Young and CJ Stroud last season: if he picks up from where he left off or better, I don't see him returning to North Carolina for another season. I think he will enter the NFL draft next year, and I wouldn't be surprised if he's a Top Five pick.