League execs rip UNC QB Drake Maye, prompting questions about draft stock

North Carolina Tar Heels quarterback Drake Maye (10)

North Carolina quarterback Drake Maye’s stock could sink before the NFL Draft on April 25-27.

In his latest column, The Athletic’s Ben Standig asked 17 sources, including scouts and executives, about the top QBs in the draft. Some ripped Maye.

“He scares the hell out of me,” a personnel executive told Standig. “Longer thrower with a big arm but not quick release. Nothing feels like it happens in rhythm, and accuracy is average. Needs a year on the bench.”

Although many scouts compare Maye to Justin Herbert, another exec believes he’s a watered-down version of the Los Angeles Chargers QB.

“Maye is Herbert light. Take everything Herbert does and make it less,” the exec told Standig. “They’ll be compared (because of the prototype size), but there’s no comparison. I like Maye, but when I see the amount of work it will take to have him reach his potential, we’ll be fired first.”

Standig noted some scouts thought Maye could challenge Southern Cal’s Caleb Williams as the top QB in the draft class after the 2022 season. Clearly, that has changed. He ranked as the third-best passer in Standig’s survey, but most felt he should sit for a year.

After UNC offensive coordinator Phil Longo left for Wisconsin in 2023, Maye regressed. He threw 24 TDs in 12 games, compared to 38 in 14 games in 2022. This could explain why he fell out of favor with a few talent evaluators.

Maye has a prototypical size at 6-foot-4, 223 pounds, and a strong arm, which can help a QB flourish at the next level. Despite the intriguing physical tools, it appears the 21-year-old must polish his game before becoming a starter.

Per Tankathon’s projections, the New England Patriots will take Maye with the third overall pick. However, it’s fair to wonder if they’ll pass on him.

In his latest mock draft, Pete Prisco of CBS Sports has New England selecting Michigan QB J.J. McCarthy instead. Maye, meanwhile, falls to No. 5, where the Minnesota Vikings trade up to take him.

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