Drake Maye is taking a gutsy leap with his decision to attend the NFL Draft in person, despite the risk of a potentially awkward wait in the green room.
The University of North Carolina's quarterback sensation could find himself in an uncomfortable spotlight if he experiences a slide down the draft order.
The NFL has confirmed that Maye will be one of the 13 players attending the draft event on April 25 in Detroit, joining other top quarterback prospects like LSU's Jayden Daniels and USC's Caleb Williams, who is widely expected to be the first overall pick.
While many experts believe Maye will be snapped up early as one of the top-five picks, there are whispers of doubt about his immediate fit in the NFL, which could see him drop in the first round.
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ESPN analyst and former NFL fullback Merril Hoge didn't mince words when discussing Maye's prospects, cautioning team managers about the potential pitfalls of drafting him too high.
"Drake Maye is the kind of player that will get you fired," Hoge bluntly stated on WCCO radio. "Especially if you draft him in the top five or top three, he's going to get you fired."
Maye shares similarities to Malik Willis, a quarterback taken later than expected in the NFL Draft. Despite being labelled as one of the best quarterbacks for 2022, he dropped to the third round where Tennessee Titans picked him up as No.86.
"Willis might be the only guy that I can think of that is as erratic as Maye," said Hoge. "I studied him for two years... I watched every one of his games last year... His last game against [North Carolina State] was probably the most embarrassing display I've seen from a guy who is supposed to be an elite franchise quarterback... He's erratic. He's everywhere."
Willis isn't the only Tennessee Titans player that Maye could take after. Quarterback, Will Levis, was predicted as a top five pick, with rumours of him going first to the Carolina Panthers. However, he went into the second round, leaving him anxiously waiting in the NFL Draft green room captured on camera.
Several people around the NFL have raised concerns about Drake Maye (Rich von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)NFL insiders believe Maye may struggle in the draft due to concerns about his abilities. "He scares the hell out of me," said a personnel executive to The Athletic's Ben Standig.
"Longer thrower with a big arm but not quick release. Nothing feels like it happens in rhythm, and accuracy is average. Needs a year on the bench."
Maye is currently considered one of the top quarterbacks in the second tier of this class, behind Williams and on par with Daniels. However, he could be replaced by Michigan's J.J. McCarthy, while Washington's Michael Penix Jr., or Oregon's Bo Nix are expected to be in the next tier of signal callers selected.
The NFL has confirmed that the quarterback trio will be in attendance in Detroit, along with Alabama CB Terrion Arnold, Ohio State WR Marvin Harrison Jr. , Alabama OL JC Latham, UCLA DL Laiatu Latu, Toledo CB Quinyon Mitchell, LSU WR Malik Nabers, Washington WR Rome Odunze, Missouri DL Darius Robinson, LSU WR Brian Thomas Jr., and Alabama LB Dallas Turner.
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