The NFL Scouting Combine will begin on Monday, with immense speculation surrounding the Chicago Bears and what they will do at the quarterback position. The two most discussed names have been current starter Justin Fields and USC signal-caller Caleb Williams, who is projected to be the first overall selection in the 2024 NFL Draft in April. Although Fields will likely be traded and Williams is seen as the likely favorite to be drafted by Chicago, fans need to be ready if general manager Ryan Poles targets another prospect at the quarterback position.
Drake Maye's Potential Might Be Equal To Caleb Williams
Despite not receiving as much media attention as Williams, There are several positive aspects to like about Maye and what he offers specifically to the Bears if Poles decides to select him. The North Carolina quarterback has had two solid seasons as a starter and has been coached by Hall of Fame head coach Mack Brown, who has a proven eye for identifying future NFL talent. In his last two seasons as a starter, Maye has started 26 games, thrown 62 touchdowns, and passed for close to 8,000 yards.
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Despite not receiving as much media attention as Williams, There are several positive aspects to like about Maye and what he offers specifically to the Bears if Poles decides to select him. The North Carolina quarterback has had two solid seasons as a starter and has been coached by Hall of Fame head coach Mack Brown, who has a proven eye for identifying future NFL talent. In his last two seasons as a starter, Maye has started 26 games, thrown 62 touchdowns, and passed for close to 8,000 yards.
Maye's best attributes are his arm strength and ability to quickly process the field, resulting in a quick release. The mix of arm ability and processing allows the quarterback prospect to consistently throw his targets open and put touch on the ball, allowing for high-level anticipation. Additionally, Maye achieved this success without having a consistent threat at the pass-catching positions while hampered by drops from his pass-catchers.
From the time between the Scouting Combine and the NFL Draft, Maye's stock could rise during the evaluation process as he could be a different type of quarterback compared to Fields and Williams. Where Chicago's current quarterback and the USC prospect's best trait is their dual-threat ability and big-play capability, the North Carolina passer could be more attractive for his ability to make plays from the pocket. Analysts continue to compare Maye to current NFL quarterbacks Joe Burrow and Justin Herbert, both of whom are elite-level passers.
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Before being hired as Chicago's general manager in 2022, Poles was with the Kanas City Chiefs' front office for over 12 years and saw firsthand the play of two perennial Pro Bowl quarterbacks, Patrick Mahomes and Alex Smith. Furthermore, the Bears' GM also saw the Chiefs play against the Los Angeles Chargers and Herbert. Poles could draft a pocket passer who meets the same traits as Mahomes, Smith, and Herbert, all of whom have been successful more because of their arm talent than mobility.
Maye And A Haul Of Draft Picks Could Be More Valuable Than Williams To The Bears
The other aspect that could lead to Chicago drafting Maye is if Poles has the North Carolina quarterback valued close to or evenly with Williams. If the draft stock is close between the two players, Chicago's general manager could potentially trade back a spot or two to select the quarterback prospect while also getting several draft picks in return for trading back. Maye, along with a second-round selection in this year's draft or a first-rounder next year, could be more enticing than just Williams alone.
The deep level of talent at the quarterback position gives Poles flexibility to capitalize on the significant excitement surrounding Williams to address not just a need for a quarterback but several other spots on the roster. Last year, the Bears general manager traded the first overall selection to the Carolina Panthers in return for wide receiver DJ Moore and draft picks that resulted in offensive tackle Darnell Wright, cornerback Tyrique Stevenson, the first overall selection in this year's draft, and a second-round pick in 2025. Williams is rated much higher than Young, with many draft pundits believing Chicago could receive three draft selections or more even if they traded back by just one spot.
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Although Williams is viewed as a generational talent, a tradeback would set the Bears up for the next several years and provide a sizeable insurance policy against a potential bust scenario for Poles and his front office. If Chicago collects a future first-round selection and Maye works out for the franchise, the team can continue to trade future first-round picks in return for multiple picks each year. That scenario, unfortunately, can't be achieved if the Bears draft Williams first overall.
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Maye has the potential to be an elite quarterback in the NFL and could be a sleeper pick for a team that takes him if he falls in the draft. Poles may like the North Carolina signal-caller enough to utilize another franchise's desire for Williams to get a significant trade package. Being overlooked could be a historical advantage for both Maye and the Bears to create a winning situation.
