Why C.J. Stroud thinks Drake Maye is the most NFL-ready quarterback in the draft
The 2023 No. 2 overall pick and reigning NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year lauded Maye's arm talent and scrambling ability.
Before Drake Maye’s name was called third overall in the 2024 NFL Draft, he already had a fan in the league.
Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud threw his support behind the former UNC quarterback on the Bleacher Report draft show Thursday night.
“I feel like Drake Maye is [the most NFL ready],” Stroud said. “You watch his tape, just his arm talent jumps off.”
Stroud complimented Maye’s high football IQ and athleticism, pointing out inherent traits that usually take time to develop in the pros.
“The one mistake I did early on through the first couple games was I moved around too much,” the 2023 No. 2 overall pick and reigning NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year said. “I didn’t get the ball out on time, I started taking risks that weren’t even downfield or necessarily scrambling.”
Maye, however, doesn’t struggle with getting antsy in the pocket. Instead, as host Adam Lefkoe points out, he avoids trouble with defenders by using his legs to duck out at the right time.
“When you watch his tape, he scrambles when he needs to, he throws guys open, he has roll-out ability … different arm angles,” Stroud said.
His arm talent alone is enough to signal a successful bid in the NFL. Over Maye’s college career with the Tar Heels, he threw for 63 touchdowns, 16 interceptions, 8,018 passing yards, and a 64.9% completion percentage over 30 games (26 starts).
As Stroud points out, Maye possesses a strong scrambling ability – a trait that can prove lethal against defenses.
“I look at scrambling like NBA players hit jump shots,” Stroud said. “Defenders get to spots when it comes to scrambling in my opinion. They get to their spots quicker than [quarterbacks] get to their spots. Like Anthony Edwards drives down, crosses back, he gets to his spot and he gets his shot.”
The comparison between scrambling and jump shots is likely one that Maye understands – like Stroud, he also played basketball growing up.
Before he was a Heisman Trophy hopeful or a top-tier draft prospect, Maye was known by his Myers Park High School as an “assasin” on the basketball court, according to Alex Zietlow of The Charlotte Observer.
Maye grew up around hoopers, too. The youngest of four brothers, Maye watched as his eldest brother Luke led the Tar Heels to the Final Four in 2017.
With elite athleticism laced into his DNA, Maye will have the chance to put his skills to the test in the NFL as the Patriots look to usher in a new era with the UNC signalcaller.
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