McDaniels’ preseason comments on Drake Maye are worth examining.

As the 2025 NFL season inches closer, one of the most compelling storylines is the emergence of Drake Maye, the star quarterback from the University of North Carolina (UNC). Maye has been a highly-touted prospect for years, and his performance during his college career has only reinforced his status as one of the top quarterbacks eligible for the NFL Draft. While Maye’s on-field accomplishments speak for themselves, the preseason comments made by Josh McDaniels, head coach of the Las Vegas Raiders, about the quarterback offer significant insight into both Maye’s future and how NFL teams view his skill set and potential.

McDaniels, known for his offensive mind and experience as a former offensive coordinator for the New England Patriots, is a respected figure when it comes to evaluating quarterbacks. His comments on Maye, made in the months leading up to the 2025 NFL Draft, suggest both excitement and caution. While McDaniels sees undeniable talent in Maye, his remarks indicate a deeper layer of analysis that NFL teams will have to take into account when considering whether to select him in the early rounds of the draft.

In this article, we will examine McDaniels’ preseason comments on Drake Maye, analyze what they mean for Maye’s draft stock, and consider how these insights could shape the quarterback market in the 2025 draft. We will also take a closer look at Drake Maye’s strengths and weaknesses, how he compares to other top quarterbacks in the draft class, and how McDaniels’ perspective might influence NFL team decision-makers as they finalize their draft strategies.

Josh McDaniels’ Reputation as a Quarterback Evaluator

Before diving into McDaniels’ comments about Maye, it is essential to understand why his perspective on quarterbacks carries weight. Josh McDaniels has a long and successful history in the NFL, particularly as an offensive coordinator. Most notably, McDaniels served as the offensive coordinator for the New England Patriots under Bill Belichick and worked closely with Tom Brady, arguably the greatest quarterback of all time. McDaniels was also responsible for the development of quarterbacks like Matt Cassel and Jimmy Garoppolo, showing his ability to evaluate, develop, and work with quarterbacks in a variety of contexts.

When McDaniels took over as the head coach of the Las Vegas Raiders, he brought with him a deep understanding of offensive systems and quarterback development. His background in designing systems for top-tier quarterbacks makes his evaluation of quarterbacks particularly noteworthy. If McDaniels expresses interest in a quarterback prospect or offers criticism, it’s often seen as a direct reflection of what teams are looking for in signal-callers and how those quarterbacks might fit into the current NFL landscape.

In this context, McDaniels’ preseason comments on Drake Maye are worth examining because they come from someone who has witnessed the success of elite quarterbacks in the league. His evaluation could be indicative of broader NFL opinions about Maye’s skill set and readiness for the next level.

McDaniels’ Comments on Drake Maye: A Mixed Review

When asked about Drake Maye during a preseason interview, McDaniels was candid in his assessment. He acknowledged Maye’s impressive physical traits, particularly his arm strength, mobility, and ability to make all the necessary throws. However, McDaniels also raised a few points of concern, specifically related to Maye’s consistency and decision-making under pressure.

Strengths: Arm Talent and Physical Attributes

One of the most striking aspects of Drake Maye’s game is his raw talent. Standing at 6-foot-4 and weighing around 220 pounds, Maye has the ideal physical build for an NFL quarterback. His arm strength is arguably his most notable trait, as he has the ability to drive the ball down the field with velocity, making throws to all areas of the field. McDaniels, in particular, highlighted Maye’s deep ball accuracy and his ability to throw into tight windows, which are essential traits for quarterbacks in the modern NFL.

Moreover, McDaniels emphasized Maye’s mobility—an underrated aspect of his game. While not known for being a run-first quarterback, Maye is capable of escaping pressure and extending plays with his legs. His ability to move outside of the pocket and make throws on the run is a crucial skill in today’s NFL, where pass rushers are often faster and more aggressive than ever before.

McDaniels seemed to appreciate these qualities, noting that Maye’s physical attributes make him an intriguing prospect for NFL teams. A quarterback who can consistently make high-level throws, combined with the ability to make plays on the move, is someone who can thrive in a variety of offensive systems.

Concerns: Decision-Making and Consistency

Despite Maye’s immense talent, McDaniels was careful to caution against overhyping the quarterback prospect without considering the areas where he still has room to improve. One of the key points of concern McDaniels mentioned was Maye’s decision-making, particularly in high-pressure situations. McDaniels pointed out that, while Maye can make extraordinary throws, he sometimes struggles with making the right decision when facing intense defensive pressure. This issue is common among young quarterbacks, but for a player with as much potential as Maye, it is something NFL teams will scrutinize heavily.

McDaniels went on to describe the challenge of consistency, particularly with Maye’s footwork and mechanics. At times, Maye has been prone to erratic ball placement, especially when he’s off-balance or under duress. For a quarterback with Maye’s talent, improving his consistency in these areas could be the key to unlocking his full potential at the next level.

In McDaniels’ view, Maye’s occasional struggles in these areas were typical for a player who is still refining his craft. However, he also emphasized that NFL coaches and quarterbacks must have a certain level of consistency in order to succeed in the league. This is why McDaniels, while positive about Maye’s potential, also suggested that he may need time to adjust to the speed and complexity of the NFL game.

How McDaniels’ Comments Reflect the Current QB Market

McDaniels’ comments on Maye are particularly significant because they shed light on the current quarterback market and what teams are looking for in the 2025 draft class. In recent years, NFL teams have placed a premium on quarterbacks who possess both physical tools and mental toughness. While arm strength, mobility, and accuracy remain essential traits, teams are also looking for quarterbacks who can make quick decisions, stay calm under pressure, and read defenses effectively.

As McDaniels suggested, Drake Maye’s raw talent places him among the top quarterbacks in the draft, but his decision-making and consistency will ultimately determine how quickly he can adapt to the NFL. The fact that McDaniels mentioned these areas of improvement is a reflection of the broader consensus around Maye’s readiness to step into a starting role immediately. It’s likely that teams selecting him will have to invest in player development to refine these aspects of his game, especially if they plan to make him their franchise quarterback.

Drake Maye’s Comparison to Other Top Quarterbacks in the 2025 Draft

As one of the top quarterbacks in the 2025 class, Drake Maye will be compared to other notable prospects, such as Caleb Williams from USC, J.J. McCarthy from Michigan, and Bo Nix from Oregon. Each of these quarterbacks brings a unique skill set to the table, and it’s important to understand how Maye stacks up against them.

• Caleb Williams is widely regarded as the most polished quarterback in the 2025 class. He possesses exceptional accuracy, mobility, and decision-making, and his ability to make plays in high-pressure situations is well-documented. While Maye is often praised for his physical tools, Williams’ decision-making and consistency are areas where he excels, which could give him an edge in the eyes of NFL teams looking for a more immediately ready quarterback.
• J.J. McCarthy, meanwhile, is a quarterback known for his leadership and poise. While McCarthy may not have the same raw arm strength as Maye, his ability to stay calm under pressure and execute consistently has made him one of the top quarterbacks in the draft class. McCarthy’s mental acumen may be seen as a stronger asset compared to Maye’s decision-making under duress.
• Bo Nix has seen significant growth throughout his college career and has developed into a strong dual-threat quarterback. Nix’s mobility and playmaking ability put him in the conversation as a first-round pick, but his inconsistency at times could make him a more projectable player compared to Maye.

In comparison to these quarterbacks, Maye’s physical tools stand out, but McDaniels’ comments highlight the areas where he will need to improve if he is to keep up with the best of the best. Maye’s ability to make rapid decisions and refine his mechanics will be key in separating himself from his competition.

The Road Ahead for Drake Maye

While McDaniels’ preseason comments may have raised questions about some aspects of Drake Maye’s game, they also underscored the potential that the young quarterback possesses. Maye has shown he can be a dominant force at the college level, and with the right coaching and development, there’s no reason why he can’t become an elite quarterback in the NFL.

As Maye prepares for the upcoming NFL Draft, McDaniels’ evaluation offers a helpful framework for understanding where he stands relative to other top quarterbacks. NFL teams will be looking at Maye’s arm strength, mobility, and physical traits, but they will also need to weigh his decision-making and consistency as crucial factors in determining his immediate success.