AFC offensive coach makes massive claim about Drake Maye

One unnamed AFC offensive coach offered high praise for North Carolina Tar Heels quarterback Drake Maye after Maye impressed during his pro day throwing session last week. 

"Yeah, he missed like two throws high early and then he was money the rest of the way," that coach texted NFL insider Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated about Maye. "He’s so talented. He would be the No. 1 pick in like 80% of drafts." 

It seems a guarantee that Maye won't be the first pick of this year's draft. The Chicago Bears are widely expected to spend that asset on USC Trojans quarterback Caleb Williams. From there, the Washington Commanders could grab either Maye, LSU signal-caller Jayden Daniels or J.J. McCarthy of Michigan at pick No. 2. The New England Patriots own the draft's third pick and reportedly have McCarthy ranked ahead of Maye at this stage of the evaluation process. 

"He’s a puppy—he’s so young, he’s so talented, he can make every throw, he’s a freak," the coach added about Maye while texting Breer. "[The workout] started out showing his ability to move, the tight, compact release. The ball jumps off his hand. He did a good job moving and throwing the ball off balance. There were a couple off one foot. They did a nice job of having a lot of throws in there, a different variety of throws. He has no limitations." 

Multiple individuals have compared Maye to Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen. It's thought that the New York Giants could try to move up from the sixth pick to selection No. 3 because New York head coach Brian Daboll previously served as Allen's offensive coordinator and could want to work with Maye. The coach who communicated with Breer likened Maye to Los Angeles Chargers starter Justin Herbert.

"Drake, I mean, he’s all of 6’4” and he’s big," a different offensive coach from an AFC team told Breer. "I see him still getting there upper body-wise; that’s where he looks a little young, but he’s got a huge frame, and he can throw the hell out of the ball down the field. His arm strength, that’s a huge plus, especially if he goes somewhere like New England, out there late in the year."