Could the Washington Commanders bet on quarterback Drake Maye's high upside at No. 2 overall in the 2024 NFL Draft?
We are approaching the business end of the pre-draft assessment process. The Washington Commanders seem to be setting their sights on selecting a quarterback at No. 2 overall. Just which one they'll task with the responsibility of taking the franchise forward under an ambitious new regime remains a hot topic of debate.
Dan Quinn and Adam Peters have been relatively tight-lipped up to now. They don't want to lose leverage and desire to keep every potential option on the table. Aside from Caleb Williams going to the Chicago Bears atop the draft, everything else is unknown.
Those in power are currently spending their time finding out more about certain prospects of interest. Pro day season is rapidly coming to a conclusion, which means it won't be much long before crunch discussions begin with a formal decision attached.
A strong contingent descended on Chapel Hill for North Carolina's pro day. There were some intriguing prospects lower down the pecking order to examine, but Drake Maye was at the forefront of Washington's thought process.
Maye was once considered as the runaway favorite to be the second quarterback taken. That's not the case anymore, but he's got some enticing traits that could see the Commanders go in this direction if there is consensus agreement between influential figures within the organization.
On this topic, we took a look at Maye's credentials and how they might fit with the Commanders in this special scouting report.
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.
How would Drake Maye fit on the Commanders?
- Development QB, long-term starting potential
The Washington Commanders have to get this decision right. Adam Peters would be playing catch-up if he whiffs on his first signal-caller as general manager. After spending so long in quarterback purgatory, adopting a long-term mindset rather than settling for a quick fix is a wise avenue those in power should pursue.
That's exactly what Maye is. Throwing him in at the deep end right out of the gate unless substantial improvements arrive this offseason is asking for trouble. The Commanders have Marcus Mariota to take the reins if they feel more development is needed, but sitting high-end draft selections is becoming less commonplace in the instant gratification modern era.
Jayden Daniels might be more pro-ready based on experience and his memorable final campaign at LSU, but one could make a strong case for Maye having more upside. He's got the tools and the talent, but Tavita Pritchard and Kliff Kingsbury must have a plan in place from the moment he gets into the building.
Maye is the definition of a boom or bust prospect right now. He's got a good head on his shoulders and should progress. That said, the Commanders must give him a level of freedom to develop at his own pace. Anything less would come with grave consequences attached.
If the Commanders take Maye, don't expect miracles immediately. That might happen if everything clicks sooner than expected, but keeping the bigger picture in mind is of critical importance.