Where will Drake Maye be drafted? Patriots lead list of 2024 NFL Draft landing spots

Austin Curtright, USA TODAY NETWORK

Former North Carolina football quarterback Drake Maye is widely expected to be one of the top passers selected in the 2024 NFL Draft, one that projects numerous quarterbacks in the first round.

Maye, a junior last season, led the Tar Heels to an 8-5 finish last season as a redshirt sophomore, passing for 3,608 yards with 24 touchdowns to nine interceptions while rushing for 449 yards and nine additional scores in his second season as the starter.

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The 6-foot-4 former four-star recruit is grouped with USC's Caleb Williams, LSU's Jayden Daniels and Michigan's J.J. McCarthy as the consensus top available quarterbacks. Maye is also tabbed as one of the best athletes in the draft, as the former Tar Heel boasts remarkable arm strength and size.

Here's the latest draft projections for Maye, who will undoubtedly be selected in the first round on Thursday:

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Where will North Carolina's Drake Maye go in the 2024 NFL Draft?

Maye was widely regarded as a high pick coming into the 2023 season, and he hasn't disabused teams of that notion.

Though North Carolina struggled to an 8-5 record on the year, Maye still played well, completing 63.3% of his passes for 3,608 yards and 24 touchdowns to nine interceptions.

Williams and Daniels are believed to be above Maye in the hierarchy, with McCarthy being a bit of a wild card. However, Maye to the Patriots is a frequently mocked prospect:

USA TODAY: Round 1, No. 5 overall to Minnesota Vikings (via trade with Chargers)

Unless Kwesi Adofo-Mensah can somehow pry the No. 3 pick from the Patriots, the Vikings might be limited in their likely options at quarterback — and getting into position for whichever top passer is left could still prove mighty costly. Quarterbacks coach Josh McCown coached Maye at Myers Park High School in Charlotte, and it's easy to see why Minnesota would be excited about adding a rocket-armed signal-caller comfortable operating on the move, especially as the franchise turns the page from the Kirk Cousins era.

CBS Sports: Round 1, No. 3 overall to New England Patriots

There's simply no way in my mind the Patriots move out of this spot and/or don't take a quarterback. The way the offseason has gone — and the way the last three years have gone — they have to.

NFL.com's Dan Parr: Round 1, No. 3 overall to New England Patriots

Barring a jaw-dropping trade offer they can’t refuse, the Patriots appear likely to stick and pick the top remaining quarterback on their board. It might take some time for New England to get back to its winning ways, but Maye has the tools to develop into the franchise passer the team badly needs.

NFL.com's Peter Schrager: Round 1, No. 3 overall to New England Patriots

Despite lots of smoke that New England could trade down, I believe this new Patriots regime will be comfortable with either Jayden Daniels or Maye. Pats brass took Maye out for steaks the night before his Foxborough visit earlier this month, and those guys loved the Charlotte native. That said, they also loved their top-30 visit with Daniels. I think they're fine with whichever one falls to them. New England also wined and dined QB J.J. McCarthy on Monday night, but I still see this selection being Daniels or Maye.

The Athletic: Round 1, No. 3 overall to New England Patriots

Listening to trade offers is the responsible move for de facto general manager Eliot Wolf. But it is tough to imagine the Patriots passing on a quarterback here, especially if Maye makes it to No. 3. Owner Robert Kraft is not interested in another offensive season like last year in New England.

Each of ESPN's Mel Kiper, Field Yates and Matt Miller have Maye going No. 3 overall, though the former two have him to the Patriots. Miller, however, expects the Vikings to trade up with New England to select Maye in the No. 3 slot.

Drake Maye scouting report

Maye is viewed as a high-level prospect by beatniks, though he doesn't come without his implicit risks.

From Draftwire (click here for full scouting report):

"It’s not often a quarterback with the tools and playmaking ability of Maye comes around, and teams are going to be eager to get him into their lineup and develop him as perhaps the next Justin Herbert. Maye is likely going to have a chaotic rookie season if he can’t nail down his mechanics and his sometimes head scratching decision making, but he should grow out of those things with time and take full advantage of an elite physical skillset."

Drake Maye's best 2024 NFL Draft fit

Going by consensus, Maye to the Patriots would appear to make the most sense. USA TODAY Network's Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz, however, has a slightly different take.

"For Maye, there might be no better situation for his development than learning under McCown and Kevin O'Connell while having Justin Jefferson on the receiving end of his deep bombs and Christian Darrisaw keeping him clean."

This article originally appeared on The Fayetteville Observer: Who will draft Drake Maye? Landing spots, best fit for NFL draft

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