Drake Maye’s path to the NFL took off at North Carolina, where he had flipped his commitment from Alabama before sitting behind Sam Howell as a freshman. He broke out as a redshirt freshman in 2022, throwing for roughly 4,300 yards and 38 touchdowns and winning ACC Player of the Year, which made him an early contender to be a top pick. His 2023 numbers dipped with a new offensive coordinator and a thinner receiving corps, but scouts still valued his 6’4” frame, arm strength, mobility, and young age. Critics pointed to inconsistent footwork and risky decisions, though, and he became a polarizing prospect. He declared for the 2024 draft, skipped UNC’s bowl game, and passed on throwing at the combine, saving his passing showcase for UNC’s pro day in March. Throughout the predraft process, Caleb Williams was the near-consensus No. 1 pick to Chicago. Maye and Heisman winner Jayden Daniels were debated as the next quarterbacks off the board, and some analysts ranked Maye ahead of Daniels. W...