The 2024 NFL Draft was labeled as a great quarterback class, a group of young passers with the potential to reshape the league. Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels, and Drake Maye were the headliners, each bringing a clear play style and pedigree. But as we approach the midpoint of the 2025 season, one question keeps surfacing among analysts and fans alike: “Is Drake Maye already the best quarterback from that class?”
Coming out of the University of North Carolina, Maye was known for his polished mechanics, pro-ready frame, and strong arm. While he wasn’t quite as flashy as Williams or as electric as Daniels, his combination of size, poise, and accuracy made him a prototypical NFL signal-caller. Scouts saw shades of Justin Herbert and Josh Allen, quarterbacks who could dominate once their mental processing caught up to their physical gifts.
Fast-forward to now, and that potential has translated. Maye’s early performances in the league have been remarkably composed for a 2nd year quarterback. He’s reading defenses with growing confidence, pushing the ball downfield without reckless abandon, and showing off the kind of pocket presence that usually takes young quarterbacks years to develop. His mechanics are clean, his deep ball is sharp, and he’s proving capable of extending plays without losing his discipline.
In contrast, Caleb Williams, though undeniably talented, has had a more uneven transition to the pros. His creativity and improvisation remain breathtaking, but his tendency to extend plays too long has led to turnovers and missed opportunities. Jayden Daniels, meanwhile, has flashed elite dual-threat ability, but is injury-prone. None of this means those players won’t become great, but at this specific moment, Maye appears to be the most balanced and reliable of the group.
What really separates Maye is his command of the offense. He’s not just surviving the NFL learning curve; he’s actively booming in it. His anticipation and timing have improved with every game, and his leadership has drawn praise from both teammates and coaches. He carries himself like a veteran, which is rare for someone barely a year removed from college football. Maye has currently led the Patriots to a 6-2 record, and he is currently 2nd in MVP odds. Maye is top 5 in passing yards, completion percentage, turnovers, and record. Maye is booming in his 2nd year, which is unnatural for a 2nd-year quarterback.
Of course, it’s too early to declare anyone “the best” from the 2024 class with absolute confidence. Quarterback development is never linear. Patrick Mahomes didn’t start as a rookie, and Josh Allen didn’t truly break out until his third season. Still, when you evaluate trajectory, decision-making, and composure, it’s hard not to see Drake Maye trending toward the top.
If he continues this pace, maintaining accuracy, avoiding turnovers, and elevating his team’s play, it won’t just be a debate. It’ll be reality. The 2024 class was stacked with promise, but as of right now, Drake Maye looks like the one most ready to deliver on it.
