Joel Klatt: Drake Maye would be 'slam dunk' No. 1 pick in NFL Draft if not for Caleb Williams

There is plenty of debate about who the No. 2 quarterback in the upcoming NFL draft should be behind Caleb Williams. However, Joel Klatt of Fox Sports believes it’s a simple answer. According to Klatt, Drake Maye is the second-best quarterback, behind only Williams, and no one else is close.

Klatt recently shared that opinion on a video where he ranked his top 5 quarterbacks for the upcoming NFL draft.

“Drake Maye is as good as I’ve seen in a long, long time,” Klatt said. “Let me put it to you very simply – if it wasn’t for Caleb Williams, Drake Maye would be the slam dunk No. 1 pick in this draft. And I don’t think it’s that close. I think that these two guys are separated from the rest of the quarterback pack, even some of these other really good players.”

Klatt went on to say that he has Jayden Daniels at 3, followed by Michael Penix Jr. and JJ McCarthy. But none of those other QBs are in the same conversation as Caleb Williams and Drake Maye.

Klatt saw Maye in person to close out the 2022 season and was blown away by his performance in the Holiday Bowl against Oregon. Maye accounted for 251 total yards and three touchdowns, despite being without some key playmakers.

“He made a couple of throws with guys – by the way – they had some guys opting out, they didn’t have a lot of great players on the outside. And this dude made some throws against a really good Oregon team that blew my mind,” Klatt said. “He and Caleb Williams make plays and make throws that other guys cannot make – both on schedule and off schedule. 

“Maye and Williams are physically more gifted than the other quarterbacks on the list.”

Maye is not only accurate in the pocket but can also make plays when protection breaks down, according to Klatt. The Charlotte native also has a really good pocket awareness and can pick up yards with his legs, whether it be on designed runs or scrambles.

“This guy has talent like I haven’t seen in a long time. He’s a better college version of what Josh Allen was in college. He makes throws from the pocket, outside of the pocket. His ceiling is so high,” Klatt said.

“Don’t get bored with the fact that we have known this guy is great for a long time. He’s still only 21 years old. He won’t turn 22 until August 30. He’s closer to Caleb than Jayden Daniels is to him. … That top two is separated and the reason is is ceiling, it’s potential. Maye and Williams do things that these other guys just cannot do.”