Colin Cowherd outlines major problem with Drake Maye ahead of 2024 NFL Draft

The 2024 NFL Draft saw a sudden shift in opinions surrounding Drake Maye, making him one of the most divisive prospects. Although he was initially considered a top pick, analysts are now placing Jayden Daniels and J. J. McCarthy ahead of him, a surprising turn of events.

Despite his strong performance the previous year, Colin Cowherd is among those who believe that Maye may not be as impressive as he appears. On his show The Herd, which aired on Tuesday, Cowherd expressed his main concern with the North Carolina quarterback: his lack of production during the 2023 season.

But that’s one of the things I have a problem with Drake Maye and a little bit with J. J. McCarthy. Caleb Williams, Bo Nix, Michael Penix: 300-yard game, 300-yard game, highly productive.

If you have otherworldly physical traits that I’ve never seen before, that can’t be duplicated, then I’m willing to pull back on the production. Drake Maye is big, but he’s not unique physically. He’s 6’4″220. That’s that’s pretty standard. But he’s not consistent. So if you’re just the same size, a prototype guy, you got to be productive.

Drake Maye, in the last couple of years against ranked opponents – Clemson, Oregon, Miami -, he- was 1-2. Okay, fine, they didn’t have the personnel. But he completed 55% of his throws. That’s terrible.

Comparing Drake Maye to Jayden Daniels and J. J. McCarthy: Fair or Unfair?

Despite the challenging circumstances, the North Carolina quarterback had to navigate a significant loss of personnel following the 2022 season, while also experiencing major changes within his coaching staff.

Production is certainly a crucial factor to consider, but it should never overshadow other important aspects, particularly when evaluating quarterback prospects. In 2023, Jayden Daniels was undoubtedly the top college football quarterback, but as an NFL scout, it’s challenging to prioritize him over Maye.

The teams that overlook the North Carolina quarterback may soon regret their missed chance. Although he may not possess the same level of athleticism, he is a highly promising player who excels at completing throws all over the field with pinpoint accuracy. This already surpasses what Daniels (who has a slender build) or McCarthy (whose arm strength is lacking) can consistently offer.