Former GM gives Drake Maye unflattering label ahead of NFL Draft

Former NFL general manager Randy Mueller is among those who think the New England Patriots and other interested teams should think twice about making North Carolina Tar Heels quarterback Drake Maye the third pick of the 2024 draft. 

For a piece published by The Athletic on Wednesday morning, Mueller named Maye as his top "overvalued prospect" of this year's draft class. 

"His biggest asset, and probably what I hear most often as his top redeeming quality, is his size," Mueller said about Maye. "...But the traits that follow are mostly ordinary. That includes processing (questionable decision-making), accuracy (very inconsistent) and his semi-long release, which slows his ability to get the ball out of his hand. And yes, I watched some of the 2022 season as well. I struggled most with the frequency of his misses and his decision-making under pressure."

Throughout the predraft process, analysts and NFL personnel repeatedly referred to Maye as a project who must address issues such as his footwork before he plays a down of meaningful football against a pro defense. Many believe Maye needs to spend at least the bulk of his rookie NFL season learning as either a backup or a third-choice option. 

"I think he can improve on some of these things, but it’s going to take time, and it requires a leap of faith that I’m not ready to make," Mueller added about Maye. "Therefore, I would be nervous about selecting him in the top five. I just don’t see elite traits beyond his measurables."

Mueller isn't alone. One unnamed quarterbacks coach recently said he wouldn't draft Maye with a top-10 pick on Thursday night. Retired player and current NFL analyst Merril Hoge previously insisted he wouldn't take Maye at any point in the first round. 

Such takes likely won't matter come Thursday. As of early Wednesday afternoon, the New England Patriots appeared on track to make Maye the draft's third pick assuming that Caleb Williams of the USC Trojans and Jayden Daniels of the LSU Tigers are off the board. 

Also on Wednesday, DraftKings Sportsbook listed Maye as the betting favorite at -350 odds to be the third selection.