Sean Payton has never drafted a quarterback in the first round of the NFL Draft , but that trend could change this year for the Denver Broncos.

During North Carolina quarterback Drake Maye’s pro day, the Broncos sent general manager George Paton, quarterbacks coach Davis Webb, and offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi, among others, to Chapel Hill, according to reports from Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated and NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo.

Denver Broncos’ Interest in Drake Maye
Whenever a quarterback projected to be chosen in the top-10 selections of the NFL Draft, and in Maye’s case perhaps in the first three selections, is participating in a pro day showcase, the workout is going to draw a significant crowd of general managers, head coaches, personnel directors, and front office decision makers.

However, the Broncos have a glaring need at quarterback after releasing Russell Wilson, with no long-term solution at quarterback currently on the roster.

Denver is projected to pick No. 12 overall, so the Broncos would likely need to put together a significant trade package to climb into the top-four picks to select Maye.

Drake Maye NFL Draft Scouting Report
Drake Maye is one of the more coveted quarterbacks in this year’s class.

“Maye’s size and arm talent jump off the tape immediately,” NFL Media’s Lance Zierline writes for NFL.com. “He can make every throw, but he will try to make throws that he shouldn’t have attempted. The gunslinger mentality creates a fearlessness that can turn into interceptions, but it will also allow him to win in tight windows and make splash throws that get crowds (and evaluators) on their feet.

“He leaves too many throws on the back shoulder or hip and needs to learn when to take some sauce off the throw to make it more catchable. There is an undeniable energy to Maye’s game that can create momentum or turn chaotic when plays come off-schedule for him.”

Maye enters the NFL Draft after passing for 3,608 yards with 24 touchdowns to nine interceptions as a sophomore in 2023.

“He’s big and mobile and can sling it around but he didn’t play consistent football (in 2023),” an AFC Personnel Director told NFL.com “I thought his processing was a problem but it was hard to tell sometimes because of how his line played in front of him.”