Former North Carolina quarterback Drake Maye will visit the Washington Commanders on Tuesday and Wednesday next week ahead of the 2024 NFL Draft, according to NFL insider Ian Rapoport.. The Commanders appear to hold Maye’s fate in their hands as they own the No. 2 pick in the draft. Though the Chicago Bears could shock everyone by drafting Maye first, it’s widely believed the team with the first overall pick will take USC’s Caleb Williams, leaving the rest of the quarterbacks up for grabs.
The former Tar Heels star recently visited the New England Patriots who own the No. 3 pick in the draft. He visited New England first, with LSU QB Jayden Daniels visiting on his heels. With the Commanders, they’ll take the visits in reverse, Daniels first on Monday-Tuesday, then Maye on Tuesday-Wednesday.
Teams are allowed to host up to 30 of their top draft prospects at their facilities leading up to the 2024 NFL Draft. The draft begins on April 25 in Detroit, Michigan.
Commanders, Patriots eyeing Maye, Daniels at picks 2 and 3
Maye had an excellent 2022 season for UNC, throwing for 4,321 yards and rushing for 698 yards with 45 total touchdowns before dropping off slightly in 2023. Both teams at the top of the draft have already met with him on several occasions.
According to ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr.’s latest mock draft, the Patriots will select Maye with the No. 3 overall pick after the Commanders go for Daniels at No. 2. Both teams are looking for their future franchise quarterbacks after hiring new head coaches in the offseason.
Despite projecting Maye as the third quarterback off of the board, Kiper has argued that the former Tar Heel could use a year to sit when he enters the league.
“I think Drake with another year at North Carolina, I think he would have taken off because he did have games late in the year where we know about the accuracy and the precise passing was off,” Kiper said. “Even the Pro Day, he missed a couple throws early, but they got in a rhythm and he was lights out.
“Now, you say does he need to sit for a year? I think he does. I don’t think he’s going to be ready to set the world on fire in the NFL. Another year at North Carolina would have made him in line to be the No. 1, No. 2 pick overall.”
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