Film Session: Drake Maye NFL Draft Prospect profile

Pro scouting report of North Carolina quarterback Drake Maye

Drake Maye is a redshirt sophomore quarterback at the University of North Carolina. Maye started 26 out of 30 games with the Tar Heels. Maye was voted a team captain in 2022 and named the ACC Rookie of the Year, First-team Alll-ACC, and ACC Player of the Year. In 2023, Maye was a Manning Award finalist, second-team APP All-ACC, and Second-Team All-ACC.

What to make of Drake Maye as a quarterback? Here are my takeaways from Maye’s college film

When playing in the pocket, Maye wins with his timing on structure. Although his overall timing on structure is average, he is much better on predetermined vertical or 1-read concepts. Maye shows elite-level velocity throughout a game and is very dangerous with field-side throws because of it. Maye can make tight window throws with his arm strength alone. On structure, Maye plays with good post-snap processing within the timing of a play and is effective on quick game concepts. He has an overall solid feel for pressure; he displays good physical toughness and courage under pressure, taking hits to make the throw. Maye is dangerous on the third level; he has top-tier competitiveness, where he knows his arm strength can reach any area of the field, and he has above-average placement on third-level throws.

On the run, Maye’s arm talent is rare, with his ability to keep his arm strength and velocity on off-platform throws on the move. Off-structure, Maye has an excellent ability to extend plays and has solid vision outside of the pocket, finding receivers in scramble mode. This is also a display of the level of competitiveness he has, buying time to keep plays alive. Maye is willing to run when rushers abandon rush lanes; he has above-average foot speed and uses it to put extra stress on the defense. He isn’t a special runner but has average agility and elusiveness in the open field, where he can create to some degree. Maye has solid ball security in the pocket and occasionally brings out a solid, stiff arm to extend plays.

The concerns with Maye start with man/zone pre-snap processing. I mentioned above that he has some understanding post-snap, but he possesses below-average processing before the snap which contributes to adequate timing with play development on-structure. His base also contributes to problems post-snap, as he can abandon it, causing below-average touch and placement on 2nd-level throws. Overall, Maye is inconsistent with his placement and sometimes shows poor decision-making. I also think Maye’s mental toughness becomes problematic in the red zone; he showed instances where he could go through progressions too fast, not fully allowing route concepts to develop. Maye struggles athletically with lateral quickness and agility to evade pressure in the pocket. He can also improve his contact balance and play strength to withstand most first-tackle attempts.

Watch the Drake Maye YouTube film breakdowns for more in-depth commentary on Maye’s prospect profile.