Combine Rumors: Commanders 'High' on Drake Maye, Have Draft 'Favorite'
INDIANAPOLIS -- The NFL Combine is a time for teams to meet with prospects and watch them perform inside Lucas Oil Stadium ... but it's also a hotspot for circulating information.
Some of it's real, some of it isn't - but according to The Athletic, the Washington Commanders appear to have an early lean on the quarterback they prefer at No. 2 overall - North Carolina's Drake Maye.
"There’s belief by rival team executives the Washington Commanders are high on Maye and that he should remain the favorite as the second pick," The Athletic writes.
With USC signal caller Caleb Williams penciled in as the No. 1 pick - be it to the Chicago Bears or somebody else - the Commanders are primarily contemplating Maye and LSU's Jayden Daniels, the reigning Heisman Trophy winner.
North Carolina quarterback Drake Maye and LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels.
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Maye has long been considered the draft's second-best passer, but Daniels made the competition closer with his stout 2023 season.
Daniels completed 72.2 percent of his passes for 3,812 yards, 40 touchdowns and four interceptions while rushing for 1,134 yards and 10 touchdowns, averaging 8.4 yards per attempt.
He brought considerable hardware back to Baton Rouge, with the Heisman being followed by the Maxwell, Davey O'Brien, AP Player of the Year and many others.
In contrast, Maye connected on 63.3 percent attempts for 3,608 yards, 24 touchdowns and nine interceptions across 12 games. He was a second-team All-ACC selection.
Of note, Daniels turns 24 in December, while Maye will spend the entirety of his rookie season as a 22-year-old. He'll be 21 until late August.
Looking down the road and facing the potential of a fifth-year option and second contract, Maye would be 27 compared to Daniels at 29.
Washington has two quality options - but for now, it appears Maye is the leader in the clubhouse to be the franchise's next swing on a long-term leader under center.
