Drake Maye Eyed by Patriots Fans amid 2024 NFL Draft Rumors After UNC Pro Day

Suffice it to say Drake Maye is just as impressive of a passer in shorts as he is in pads.

The projected first-round pick wowed scouts Thursday during North Carolina's pro day, hitting a series of downfield throws that should leave teams at the top of next month's draft something to think about.

Of course, it's nearly impossible to evaluate pro days in any real way. Maye faced no pressure. He ran through a series of scripted routes against air, playing in an environment where he's most comfortable.

No scouts have ever questioned Maye's arm talent or size. B/R's Scouting Department questions Maye's ability to make the best out of bad situations under pressure and adjust his pre-snap reads.

None of that was on display Thursday.

But if there were any holdouts regarding Maye's physical prowess and ability to throw crisp, accurate passes all over the field, those questions should be answered now.

Maye will spend the next month meeting with teams and hoping to establish himself as the No. 2 quarterback in this class behind Caleb Williams, who has been a mortal lock for the No. 1 pick for more than a year.

LSU's Jayden Daniels and Michigan's J.J. McCarthy will also get strong consideration starting at No. 2 with the Washington Commanders, but it's hard to find any reason why Maye would have fallen from his former perch as the 1B to Williams' 1A.

If Maye does wind up falling to No. 3, the New England Patriots may finally have righted the ship following four years of rudderless quarterback play following Tom Brady's departure.