Oct 15, 2025
3 min read
Daniels, Williams and Nix drew attention as rookies, but Maye stepped up in 2025. Can we trust the Steelers?
Drake May is changing the way we should view the 2024 NFL draft class
I apologize in advance because I'm pretty sure I'm going to start a heated debate here by saying that Drake Maye was the best quarterback this season in the 2024 draft.
I've seen how intense Bo Nix fans can be on social media.And yes, it was a joke.It's Maye versus Jayden Daniels.Who would you rather have now?Now, that's a separate debate, but back to the topic.Maye became a star in her second season.
As for Baker Mayfield, he has developed into an MVP favorite who could break the bank next year.
Let's talk about QBs and the often-forgotten Steelers for this week's NFL Fact or Fiction.
Drake Maye is the best Qb of 2024
Manzano's View: The Facts
I will try to be as clear as possible because many people will take this wrong way.Mays has been the best quarterback this season from the 2024 draft class. He's not the best quarterback because that's still Daniel.
If we finish this draft and I get No.1, I'll take Daniels, but Maye will give me a lot to think about.Maybe by the end of the season Maye might change his mind, but we can't discount what Daniels did as a rookie just because of his woeful performance compared to Daniels missing two games due to injury.
As a maid of honor, Maye is now at the level above her peers.Maye completed 73.5% of his passes (second in the league) and threw for 1,522 yards, 10 touchdowns and two interceptions.Most importantly, he has his Patriots atop the AFC East with a 4-2 record.
The game ended the same way for Daniels last year.While I don't agree that he's the best passive in the next year, there's Patrick Mahomes, a sub-200 player with at least 200 homers and 100 drivers, Patrick Mahomes, Patrick Mahomes with at least 100 out of 100.
But perhaps, Maye is not the best quarterback of this group, as Daniel is a formidable weapon in both.He also made history as the first player to have at least 4,000 strikeouts and more than 1,000 in his first career game.
Honestly, we could have this Maye vs. Daniels debate for years.And I'm not ready to take Caleb Williams out of the discussion.Williams is a distant third right now, but once he finds stability in the pocket, the 2024 No. 1 pick could enter the conversation.
And another interesting fact contributed by Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated: all six in the first 2024.the team's quarterbacks selected in the draft round are currently .500 or better.All of these QBs are playing well, but none are better than Maye right now.
The Steelers should be regarded as Super Bowl competitor
Manzanic Discs: Fantastic
It's hard for me to focus on the Steelers (4-1).Aaron Rodgers remains on the bench, and DK METCALF has been steady in Pittsburgh in his first season.
But I expect this team to fade in the last two months of the season, just like it has for the last few seasons.This is a group with veterans, a questionable defense and so-so offense.They are bigger at quarterback with Rodgers turning 42 in December.Maybe if the Steelers had a more explosive rushing attack, I feel better about their chances in the coming months, but they average 84 yards per game.Only fourth worst in the league.
There's nothing special about this team, with a defense and offense that hover around average when it comes to major statistical categories.They have a household name and have a lead that stops in the sub-par AFC North.However, that leads to the next play in the game coming up soon. The Packers, Colts and Chargers.
The Steelers are well positioned to make the playoffs, but they still have a lot to prove.Maybe if they blow out the Bengals on Thursday Night Football, I'll start giving them more respect.
The Buccaneers should make Baker Mayfield the highest paid QB
Manzano's idea: the facts
This article by colleague Conor Orr got me thinking about the Buccaneers' looming contract dilemma with Mayfield, the favorite to be the top player who gets very little salary.
Without a doubt, the Buccaneers should make Mayfield the highest-paid May in the league next year.
He also showed that he is more than just a system frammer.He helped his last two offensive coordinators get coaching jobs, and it would not be a surprise if the current quarterback Josh Grizard eventually joosh technology and Lihas Con as major coaches and Lihas.
Currently, the Buccaneers are 5-1 thanks to Mayfield, the true sign of Star Quarterback.The three -year, $ 100 million contract extension, which signed during Offseason 2024, beat an agreement that has no guaranteed money this season.
Just look at the names making at least $55 million a year: Trevor Lawrence, Jordan Love, Josh Allen, Joe Burrow and Prescott.Mayfield is playing better than most right now and isn't far from joining Allen's elite status with a healthy body.
Students themselves are not more, who is the only Jelena who brings 60 million dollars a year?The cap may take a slight discount to provide flexibility.And how difficult it can be at the end of the league.Regardless, most of them give money in this big way.
The Ravens are expected to trade Derrick Henry before Nov. 4
Manzano appearance: a story
Until the 31-year-old's registration marks, the Ravens should keep the problem running while he plays at a high level.
It's not Henry's fault that the injury-riddled Ravens have had a poor defense.It says a lot that Henry is healthy considering his age and has worn and drawn for 10 seasons.
Henry just rushed for 122 yards on his home run against the Rams defense.Maybe I'm doubling down here, but I think the 1-5 Ravens can still hold their own in the AFC North with his pressure injuries behind him.The Bengals and Browns are three-eyed together, and I don't see the old traders getting by in the next few months, as mentioned above.
Henry, of course, would be a key contributor to a hypothetical late-season playoff push, so Baltimore would be wise to hold on to him.
