At least Drake Maye didn’t say, “Let’s ride.”
That was the catchphrase from Russell Wilson, the quarterback released by the Broncos earlier this month after two seasons. Instead, Maye, a quarterback who took center stage Thursday at North Carolina pro day, told NFL Network he wanted to “let it ride.”
While many quarterbacks during pro days throw about half that total, the former Tar Heels star tossed 70 balls as a bevy of teams looked on heading into the April 25-27 NFL draft. The Broncos, who have the No. 12 pick and would need to trade up very high in the draft to get Maye, had a big group on hand in Chapel Hill, N.C., including general manager George Paton, assistant general manager Darren Mougey, offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi, quarterbacks coach Davis Webb and senior offensive assistant Pete Carmichael.
“Just doing a full workout,’’ Maye told NFL Network. “It was the first time really showing anybody what I’m about. (At the) combine, didn’t do anything. I just did measurements and interviews, so this was my first time working out for these teams. This is me. This is Drake and let it ride and having 70 throws.Kind of give it my all and just trying to let it rip out there.”
Head coach Sean Payton said last Monday at the NFL owners meetings in Orlando, Fla., it’s “realistic” that the Broncos could move up very high in the draft to get a quarterback. USC quarterback Caleb Williams is expected to go No. 1 in the draft to Chicago and Maye and LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels are likely to be taken in the next two picks, in whichever order. The Broncos watched Daniels at LSU pro day on Wednesday and had a private meeting with him afterward.
Washington has the No. 2 pick and New England is at No. 3. For the Broncos to land Maye, they likely would need to trade up for one of those picks.
The University of Washington also had its pro day Thursday, which featured quarterback Michael Penix Jr. The Broncos had four representatives on hand, including pass-game coordinator John Morton. Penix told ESPN he has a pre-draft visit scheduled with Denver for next week. However, it would be a surprise if the Broncos ended up taking him at No. 12.
The Broncos met with Maye at the combine. After that, he spoke well of Payton and of Webb, who is playing a key role in the team's quarterback search.
“It was awesome meeting with Coach Payton,’’ Maye said then. “I think any time you have one of the great offensive minds in there, (it) was pretty cool And Davis Webb, he seemed right off the bat, seemed like one of the great quarterback coaches to play for. It was just fun being in there with those guys, getting that experience.”
From all accounts, Maye had plenty of fun at his pro day.
“It was awesome to be out there and … let it ride,’’ Maye told NFL Network.
Reynolds signs with Broncos The Broncos on Thursday officially signed free-agent wide receiver Josh Reynolds, who agreed Wednesday to a two-year contract worth as much as $14 million.
Reynolds, entering his seventh season, becomes Denver’s second-highest paid wide receiver behind Courtland Sutton, who is on the books to make $13 million in 2024. The competition to be Denver’s No. 2 and No. 3 receivers is expected to primarily be between Reynolds, Tim Patrick and Marvin Mims Jr.
Reynolds caught 40 passes for 608 yards last season for Detroit. He has career totals of 220 catches for 2,933 yards.
Expectations low for Denver BetOnline on Thursday put out over-under win totals for the NFL’s 32 teams, and expectations are low for Denver.
The over-under for the Broncos, who went 8-9 last season, was set at 5 ½. The only teams projected to win less games were Carolina and New England at 4 ½ while Tennessee also was listed at 5 ½.
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