General Manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah of the Minnesota Vikings is at the center of speculation surrounding Kirk Cousins’ contract situation. The Vikings have shown interest in exploring a trade to acquire the No. 3 overall pick in the 2024 draft. According to CBS Sports’ Josh Edwards, the Patriots could be the potential trade partner, offering the Vikings the opportunity to secure the heir apparent to Cousins in North Carolina’s Drake Maye. The details of the trade package are not provided, but it is suggested that swapping the No. 11 and No. 3 selections could be sufficient. This proposed trade mirrors the San Francisco 49ers’ trade with the Miami Dolphins in 2021 for Trey Lance, with the Vikings picking one slot higher than the 49ers did. By including their fourth-round pick instead of their second-rounder, the Vikings may be able to finalize the deal. It is worth noting that the Vikings do not have a third-round pick in this year’s draft, making it a crucial factor in potential trade negotiations. While the Vikings have been considered a team to watch for a trade up in the draft, the addition of Maye as a new target adds a different twist to the speculation.
Drake Maye, a dynamic playmaker, is generating significant buzz in the draft discussions. With 78 touchdowns in the past two years (62 passing and 16 rushing), Maye’s abilities make him a top candidate for the No. 1 overall pick. Standing at 6’4″ and weighing 232 pounds, Maye possesses the prototypical size for an NFL quarterback. He also showcases exceptional arm strength, velocity, accuracy, improved awareness, field vision, and mobility. While rumors have linked the Vikings to LSU’s Jayden Daniels, there is growing interest within the organization to pair Daniels with former teammate Justin Jefferson. However, Edwards suggests that Daniels’ stock is on the rise, and ultimately believes that the Patriots will select a quarterback in this scenario.
Drake Maye, the North Carolina Tar Heels quarterback, has been the subject of trade rumors in recent hypothetical scenarios. In one scenario, the Vikings were speculated to trade with the Patriots to select Maye at No. 3. However, in a different scenario, the Washington Commanders are predicted to choose Maye as the second overall pick in the draft.
Maye’s performance in the past season was not as impressive as his redshirt freshman season. Nevertheless, his stats from that season, including 4,321 yards and 38 touchdowns with a 66.3% completion rate and seven interceptions, are comparable to the Heisman-winning performance of Daniels, the current top prospect.
Despite Maye’s solid production and winning streak extending into October, doubts about his abilities began to surface in September. These doubts are now being reflected in various mock drafts, even though no games have been played yet. The NFL Scouting Combine is scheduled for February 26.
While some are skeptical about Maye’s potential, former NFL quarterback Tim Hasselbeck, who now works as an analyst for ESPN, firmly believes in Maye’s abilities. However, he does not consider Maye to be the second-best quarterback prospect in the 2024 draft. Hasselbeck expressed his confidence in Maye, stating that he believes Maye is the best quarterback in this class. He praised Maye’s size, athleticism, arm strength, competitiveness, and leadership qualities, stating that he has seen few quarterbacks as promising as Maye during his 15-year career at ESPN. Hasselbeck even suggested that Maye may perform better as a professional than he did in college.
In conclusion, there is a mix of opinions regarding Drake Maye’s potential as an NFL quarterback. While some mock drafts are casting doubts on his abilities, Tim Hasselbeck, an ESPN analyst, believes that Maye has the potential to be the best quarterback in his draft class. Only time will tell how Maye’s career will unfold.
According to the Source heavy.com