The consensus entering the 2024 NFL Draft is that USC’s Caleb Williams will be the No. 1 overall pick. That was true the moment the 2023 draft ended, and despite some uncertainty about whether the Bears would commit to Justin Fields and pass on a quarterback, it remains true as the big night approaches.
After No. 1, chaos could begin. It’s widely assumed that both the Commanders and Patriots will draft quarterbacks, but who the picks will be is unclear
North Carolina’s Drake Maye was long viewed as the No. 2 quarterback in the 2024 draft, but a Heisman-winning season from LSU’s Jayden Daniels — plus rumors that Michigan’s J.J. McCarthy is rocketing up draft boards — have put Maye’s status as the projected No. 2 pick very much up in the air.
There’s little doubt one team will see Maye as its franchise quarterback when the first round is done in Detroit, but which team will it be?
The Sporting News is tracking the latest rumors surrounding Maye’s potential landing spots and determining how serious they might be.
MORE: Are Vikings an option for Drake Maye?
Drake Maye draft rumors
Maye not the favorite to be picked No. 2 overall?
Daniels might be the favorite to be selected No. 2 overall by the Commanders, according to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler.
“Teams I’ve talked to do believe that [Daniels is] the most viable option for Washington and could eventually be the pick,” Fowler said on “Get Up” on Monday, noting that the Commanders still have to meet with both Daniels and Maye.
Buzz connecting Daniels and the Commanders has built through reports and mock drafts over the last handful of weeks, so Washington appears to at least be considering the LSU quarterback over Maye. Considering they still plan to meet with both quarterbacks, it makes sense that the franchise is keeping its options open and hasn’t definitively settled on one player.
The real smoke screen might be Fowler reporting in the same breath that a trade could still be on the table for the Commanders. While Washington might be interested in finding out just how desperate the rest of the NFL is to draft a franchise quarterback, it would be shocking to see the organization pass on a chance to draft Daniels and Maye after decades without a long-term solution at quarterback.
Patriots ‘impressed’ by Maye
As the Patriots consider their potential options at No. 3 overall, ESPN’s Mike Reiss reports the franchise has been “impressed” with Maye, but he added that they’re still finalizing their draft board.
It makes sense that New England is “impressed.” Reiss noted that Maye’s strong arm could make him an ideal fit in often suboptimal northeast conditions. It’s believable that the Patriots see Maye’s potential and think he could be a fit with the franchise if he reaches their pick.
At the same time, it’s tough to get a read on a first-time head of football operations. Eliot Wolf hasn’t had this opportunity before, so it’s unclear which direction he might lean when it comes to Maye, McCarthy, or Daniels depending on which two are available.
