2024 NFL mock draft roundup: Where is UNC QB Drake Maye predicted to go?
Unlike most other top quarterback prospects in the 2024 NFL Draft, North Carolina's Drake Maye never won a Heisman, a national championship, or was ever even that close to participating in the College Football Playoff. Still, his immense potential has not gone unnoticed by NFL scouts. Maye possesses remarkable skills that several teams in need of a quarterback would love to have on their roster.
Many people considered Maye a surefire top-three pick this year. However, as the draft has drawn ever closer, Maye's status as a top-three pick has become murkier. The emergence of both Jayden Daniels and J.J. McCarthy has left Maye's future team in question. Furthermore, Maye's disappointing stats in his junior year (24 touchdowns, nine interceptions) compared to his breakout sophomore season (38 TDs, seven INTs) may be impacting his draft stock as well.
With just two days left until the first round of the draft, here's where draft analysts predict that Maye will be selected.
2024 NFL mock draft: J.J. McCarthy or Drake Maye for Patriots at No. 3?
Drake Maye 2024 NFL draft predictions
Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz, USA TODAY: New England Patriots, No. 3 overall pick
Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz writes, "Might the Patriots' potential decision between McCarthy – who is being hosted by New England on Monday, according to multiple reports – and Drake Maye be the inflection point of the entire first round? New coach Jerod Mayo has raved about the latter signal-caller, but McCarthy's continued ascent – both as a player and prospect – could take him all the way to the top three. No matter the pick, however, New England might not want to throw its rookie quarterback into the fray right away unless it can significantly upgrade its skill-position talent later in the draft."
Seth Walder, ESPN: New England Patriots, No. 3 overall pick
Walder does not seem confident in Daniels going at No. 2 overall, stating that ESPN's model only gives Daniels a 49% chance of going second overall. Still, Walder also claims that the most likely landing spot for Maye is the New England Patriots. In regards to Washington's pick at No. 2 overall, Walder says "The model believes Daniels has the edge -- and he is probably an odds-on favorite if we mentally redistribute the Williams and Harrison probabilities -- but it's no slam dunk."
Ryan Wilson, CBS Sports: New England Patriots, No. 3 overall pick
Wilson writes, "This is important to remember: Drake Maye is just 21 years old, he's only played two full seasons at Carolina, and his best football is ahead of him. Jayden Daniels and Michael Penix Jr. are 23 and Bo Nix is 24. The point: None of those QBs were, at 21, what they are now. And Maye checks all the boxes when you're talking about the measurables."
Pro Football Focus: Washington Commanders, No. 2 overall pick
In their seven-round mock draft, Pro Football Focus has the Washington Commanders selecting Maye at second overall. Their staff writes, "Washington has been looking for its franchise quarterback for decades now, and the new regime takes its next swing with Drake Maye. Maye has all the tools to become an NFL franchise quarterback. He was elite over the middle of the field in 2023, earning a 94.8 passing grade on throws in between the college hashes, the best in the FBS."
Eric Edholm, NFL.com: New England Patriots, No. 3 overall pick
Edholm writes, "Some of the negativity hurled toward Maye in the pre-draft process has felt like overkill to me. The Patriots can take their time grooming him, but it might not be long before Maye could unseat Jacoby Brissett once we get a feel for what this Patriots offense has to work with."
2024 NFL Draft odds: Drake Maye, QB, UNC
According to latest NFL Draft odds from BetMGM, the New England Patriots are the favorites to draft Maye. Looking to wager? Check out the best mobile sports betting apps offering NFL betting promos in 2024.
Maye currently has -300 odds to go third overall to New England. The next best odds are at second overall to the Washington Commanders, where Maye possesses +350 odds. However, LSU quarterback and 2023 Heisman winner Jayden Daniels has -450 odds to be selected second overall.
When is the 2024 NFL Draft?
Where: Campus Marius Park at Hart Plaza in Detroit, Michigan
When: Thursday, April 25-Saturday, April 27, 2024
Time: 12 p.m. ET/9 a.m. PT
TV: ESPN, ABC, NFL Network
Stream: NFL+, ESPN+, fuboTV
How to watch: Catch the NFL Draft this year with a subscription to fuboTV
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Drake Maye predictions: Latest mock draft projections for NFL Draft
