Commanders 2024 NFL Draft scouting report: Drake Maye
By Dean Jones
Drake Maye scouting report
- Height: 6-foot-4 | Weight: 223 pounds
- Hand size: 9 1/8 inches | Arm length 32 1/4 inches
- Combine QB rank: 3rd | 2023 PFF grade: 90.8
Drake Maye is a fascinating prospect. He looks like a franchise quarterback, boasting the right size and frame normally associated with highly productive players under center. This is matched by surprising athleticism and escapability awareness that jumps off the tape upon further examination.
Maye has a phenomenal arm. He can make throws look effortless at all three levels of the field. There's outstanding velocity on his sideline distribution and the North Carolina prospect can fit balls into tight windows with relative comfort. Another impressive trait is the signal-caller's ability to work in structure and off-script with equal effectiveness.
From a mechanical standpoint, Maye's arm flexibility gives him the ability to manipulate angles to his advantage. The throwing release is quick, fluid, and doesn't rely too much on much significant hip movement. While not considered a genuine dual-threat as someone like Jayden Daniels, this is more of a prototypical NFL quarterback.
However, there are some concerns. Unless they are rectified quickly, Maye is a work in progress.
Maye's footwork is arguably the biggest issue. It doesn't align with the upper body on occasion. This impacts the player's timing - especially over intermediate routes - and his release to get the football out straight from the dropback when pressure arrives quickly.
The prospect would also benefit from going through his progressions with more effectiveness. Maye is sometimes slow to react to route development, which leads to bad decisions that will be punished more frequently when he comes up against elite NFL competition.
This suspect decision-making increased under pressure. Maye finds it difficult to navigate the pocket in these scenarios. There is a lot of hard work ahead if the Washington Commanders take him at No. 2 overall, but the potential upside is absolutely off the charts.