NFL Execs Predict Jayden Daniels to Commanders, Drake Maye to Patriots in Mock Draft

The Athletic's Mike Sando polled six league executives during and after the NFL Scouting Combine to put together a mock draft based on their projections and predictions for the upcoming offseason, and the quarterback carousal played out with interesting results.

All six executives believed the Chicago Bears would keep the top overall pick and select Caleb Williams, setting up an interesting decision for the Washington Commanders at No. 2 overall.

Five of the executives believed Washington would go with LSU star and Heisman Trophy winner Jayden Daniels, while one projected the team to select North Carolina's Drake Maye.

"I think people struggle with Maye's mechanics," one executive said.

Five executives believed he would be the No. 3 overall pick for the New England Patriots over Michigan's J.J. McCarthy, however, with one vote going to Daniels.

"I think that whole quarterback thing between McCarthy and Maye is yet to play out," a former general manager told Sando. "The other two [Williams and Daneils] I think are more set."

On Monday, ESPN's Adam Schefter said as many as six quarterbacks could go in the first round. At this point it wouldn't be shocking if four were off the board in the top 10 picks. No position is more intriguing at this year's draft.