Former NFL GM Randy Mueller did not like what he saw in his film study of UNC quarterback Drake Maye.
Mueller, who was VP of Football Operations with the Seahawks (1995-98), General Manager of the Saints (2000-01), and the Dolphins (2005-07), sat down with John Keim and discussed the Commanders’ 2024 season.
First, Mueller thinks the hiring of GM Adam Peters instantly raised the bar and expectations of head-coaching candidates. That is to say, Mueller firmly believes that Peters makes the job more desirable for HC candidates.
The coaches being interviewed certainly know Peters is going to have the final say in personnel matters, so the candidates are going to be asking their questions as well. “They want to know they are going to be heard,” declared Mueller.
The conversation then moved to the biggest position the Commanders needed to fill. Mueller did not go as far as to say the Commanders must remain at No. 2 and pick a quarterback. He did, however, state the Commanders don’t know when they will be back up at No.2 again. Consequently, they have to get it correct and get the quarterback that will help this team move forward.
Mueller agrees Caleb Williams is special, the Bears will select him, and they will also trade Justin Fields.
Then Mueller dropped his bomb, “I am not a Drake Maye guy. I haven’t seen anything that wows me. I have seen a lot of film, and I’m still waiting to be impressed.”
Wow, and many in the DMV fan base are insisting the Commanders select a quarterback with the overall second selection.
Interestingly, Mueller then added, “I do like Jayden Daniels and J.J. McCarthy as well.” Daniels won the Heisman Trophy this past season at LSU, while McCarthy quarterbacked Michigan to the College Football Playoff national title.
“The size is what everybody sees 6-4 220. But I don’t see an elite arm, anticipation, or processing like Herbert. I don’t think that is a good comparison. I see him as a bigger Mac Jones. Mueller referred to Maye’s arm strength as ordinary and referenced what he saw on film was “inconsistent accuracy” and “inconsistent timing.”
However, Mueller was higher on Daniels. He can make all the throws, and he’s athletic enough to extend plays. I see a rougher-around-the-edges C.J. Stroud.” Notice he was favoring Stroud.
Did Mueller draft quarterbacks when he was the GM in New Orleans and Miami? Yes, in 2000, he used a 6th-round pick on Marc Bulger, who passed for 22,814 yards in the NFL. In 2007, he chose John Beck, a name many Washington fans will recall, with a 2nd-round (40) selection.
