Drake Maye — NFL Mock Draft Roundup 2.0

Instead of taking Marvin Harrison Jr., whom Jim Harbaugh knows very well from playing against Ohio State, the Chargers collect an extra first-round by moving back six spots in a trade with the Vikings. Drake Maye has a connection to Vikings QB coach Josh McCown going back to high school, so the two reunite as Minnesota finds its replacement for Kirk Cousins.

Adding a second first-rounder via trade was key for the Vikings, providing Minnesota with the currency to entice an Arizona team that is very much open for business, given that Monti Ossenfort and Co. have several needs to fill. The Vikes can still upgrade the offensive line, defense and wide receiver later in the draft, but in Round 1, they pounce on Maye, who might have the most upside of the entire QB bunch.

TRADE: The Vikings send the no. 11 pick, the no. 23 pick, the no. 108 pick, and a 2025 first-rounder to the Patriots for the no. 3 pick.

There's a ton of smoke around the Vikings and their supposed love for J.J. McCarthy, but those reports may simply be a well-orchestrated smoke screen. Minnesota makes a huge move here to move up to the no. 3 spot and take Maye. For the Patriots, it gives new de facto GM Eliot Wolf and first-time head coach Jerod Mayo some much-needed draft capital, from which that duo can start to rebuild its substandard roster. For the Vikings, the team lands its successor to Kirk Cousins. It's a fantastic landing spot for Maye, too, who will be throwing passes to Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, and (eventually) T.J. Hockenson.

There are plenty of reasons for the Commanders to choose LSU QB Jayden Daniels here, but Maye's ability to throw downfield will appeal to new GM Adam Peters.

They make the bold move to go get a quarterback, which they must do. Drake Maye is rumored to be their guy.

Maye is big-armed and mobile, with the tools to thrive under coach Kevin O'Connell. With a star left tackle in Christian Darrisaw, arguably the league's best receiver in Justin Jefferson and a very good WR2 in second-year player Jordan Addison, the Vikings' offensive supporting cast is perfect for a rookie quarterback. Maye is raw, and in many situations it would be best for him to sit and learn for a year, but the Minnesota structure could get him on the field early. He has thrown for 7,929 yards and 62 TD passes over the past two seasons.

Maye has ideal size at 6-foot-4 and 223 pounds and shows really good pocket movement. He can make all the throws and has a good release, executing with accuracy and anticipation. I was impressed with what he was able to accomplish last season after losing receiver Josh Downs to the NFL, throwing for 3,608 yards. His traits remind me of Justin Herbert. And giving Maye an offense that has Terry McLaurin, Jahan Dotson, Austin Ekeler and Brian Robinson Jr. should help him be productive in Year 1.

Projected trade: Vikings acquire Nos. 4, 138 and 162 from Cardinals for Nos. 11, 23, 108 and a 2025 first-rounder

The draft community and many in the league view Minnesota's recent acquisition of a second 2024 first-round pick as evidence that a bold move into the top five is coming. That's a fair presumption, but it also implies that the Vikings are good with whichever top quarterback prospect falls to four. In this exercise, we're saying the staff has a specific target in mind and, more importantly, feels comfortable he will be available.

Quarterbacks coach Josh McCown was on Maye's high school staff, and the prospect with prototypical size and traits for the position seems like the better fit among the likely candidates for coach Kevin O'Connell — which means they go the extra mile to get the passer they want. The variance among league sources on Maye following a choppy final college season ranges from a longtime quarterbacks coach/offensive assistant saying, "I like Maye, but when I see the amount of work it will take to have him reach his potential, we'll be fired first" to a scout's praise, "he'll be the best of the group."