Drake Maye hovered as both this draft’s top non-Caleb Williams QB option for months, predictably forgoing his ultimate two university seasons to prepare for the NFL. Despite now not working out at the NFL Scouting Combine, the North Carolina prospect has considered his stock encounter some turbulence.
By most accounts, Jayden Daniels — who was no longer viewed as a top-tier prospect going into his closing university season — has leapfrogged Maye as the draft’s second-best quarterback. With three QB-needy groups atop the draft, Maye figures to nevertheless be in desirable standing with regard to being an early draftee. It may take a trade-up for that to happen, however.
Several Patriots scouts are “not fans of” Maye, in accordance to Sportskeeda.com’s Tony Pauline, who adds a supply at the Combine knowledgeable him the crew would exchange again if Daniels did now not make it past Washington at No. 2 Maye rocketed onto the first-round radar after a step forward freshman season, but his sophomore numbers represented a step back. This was now not ample to drop Maye’s inventory much, however, as he exited the Tar Heels’ season as one of this draft class’ top prospects.
We are now not yet in full-on draft-rumor season, however that factor is approaching. This is a long way from a surefire indication the Patriots will skip on Maye at 3, but some doubt does appear to be creeping in here. NBC Sports’ Chris Simms, who has been known to go towards the grain when assessing prospects, ranked Maye as this class’ sixth-best QB prospect this week. Mel Kiper Jr.’s today’s ESPN.com mock has Maye going to New England at No. 3, while Daniel Jeremiah’s brand new NFL.com large board has Maye at No. five overall.
Multiple reviews out of Foxborough lately pegged the Patriots as most in all likelihood to address their quarterback need in the draft. It would be a daring move for the team to trade out of this draft’s high QB real estate, but other groups are searching into moving up. The Giants and Raiders have made the most noise about moving up, however the Vikings and Broncos have additionally been loosely positioned on the radar to do so. The Patriots could gather a big haul by means of moving down, but they would of course be taking a danger if they exit Round 1 except a QB prospect.
Known for trade-down maneuvers below Bill Belichick, the Patriots have considering the fact that given the keys to Eliot Wolf, who has switched up the team’s prospect grading system. But Wolf comes from a Packers employer famous for QB prioritization. Wolf used to be early in his Green Bay front-office days when the group snagged Aaron Rodgers in the 2005 first round, regardless of Brett Favre eventually no longer being geared up to retire for a while.
The Pats do have lots of needs, most of them on offense, going into the offseason. They have also been tied to Baker Mayfield, with a quantity of ties — from Wolf to Alex Van Pelt to Ben McAdoo to Alonzo Highsmith — to the modern Buccaneers passer. Paying big cash for Mayfield — have to he reach the felony tampering period unsigned — would be an uncommon go for a group in the Pats’ position. But Maye’s inventory will be worth monitoring in the coming weeks.
