As the countdown to the 2024 NFL Draft ticks away, the spotlight intensifies on one of college football’s most enigmatic talents, Drake Maye. Once celebrated as the premier quarterback of his class, Maye’s path to NFL stardom has recently been clouded with skepticism, thanks to a less-than-stellar final season at North Carolina and critical assessments from NFL insiders, including former Green Bay Packers quarterback Kurt Benkert.
Kurt Benkert on Drake Maye
Drake Maye, the North Carolina prodigy, has been a figure of considerable debate among NFL scouts and analysts. After a remarkable 2022 season, where Maye dazzled with 4,321 yards, 38 touchdowns, and a mere seven interceptions, expectations were sky-high. Yet, the 2023 season saw a dip in his performance, with Maye throwing for 3,608 yards, 24 touchdowns, and nine interceptions.
This decline has led to a reassessment of Maye’s draft stock and raised questions about his readiness for the professional stage. Kurt Benkert’s insights into Maye’s gameplay have added a layer of concern. Benkert praised Maye’s potential but highlighted inconsistencies that could hinder his NFL career.
“He has a high ceiling. He’s got a big arm. He’s kinda sloppy with his feet and inconsistent as a passer,” Benkert observed. This critique points to a raw talent in Maye, one that dazzles with the spectacular but falters on the fundamentals.
Is Drake Maye your ideal Pick #3 for the NFL Draft this month? 🤔#Patriots pic.twitter.com/NlFkSSi10Q
— NewEnglandPats (@NEPats__) April 2, 2024
Drake Maye’s Comparison to Justin Herbert
The comparisons of Maye to Justin Herbert have not been lost on draft watchers, given their similar physiques and arm strengths. However, Benkert’s cautionary note on Maye’s tendency to “miss the easy plays” suggests that the young quarterback may need more seasoning before he can fulfill his Herbert-esque potential.
The departures of key teammates Josh Downs, Antoine Green, and Asim Richards—each drafted into the NFL last year—have undoubtedly impacted Maye’s output. Their absence last season perhaps offers some explanation for Maye’s fluctuating performance and serves as a reminder of the team-centric nature of football success.
Draft Day Destiny
As the draft nears, speculation abounds on Maye’s eventual landing spot. Projected to be picked third overall, the New England Patriots hold the keys to Maye’s immediate future. Yet, the Minnesota Vikings, in need of a fresh quarterbacking talent post-Kirk Cousins, emerge as a tantalizing possibility for Maye.
A move to the Vikings could see Maye learning the ropes behind Sam Darnold, benefiting from the presence of offensive talents like Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, and T.J. Hockenson. Alternatively, a stint with the Patriots under Jacoby Brissett could offer Maye a different kind of apprenticeship, one that might ready him for leadership sooner than expected, especially as the team looks to bolster its offensive lineup.
The Verdict
Drake Maye’s journey to the NFL is a narrative of potential, punctuated by moments of brilliance and shadowed by questions of consistency. As Kurt Benkert’s analysis suggests, Maye embodies the quintessential draft enigma—a player of undeniable talent and yet-to-be-realized potential.
Whether Maye’s path leads him to the Patriots, the Vikings, or another franchise, his development will be one of the most closely watched-stories of the 2024 NFL Draft. The coming months will reveal whether Maye can refine his craft and realize the high ceiling that many believe he possesses.
Source: Sportskeeda
