Top prospects from North Carolina colleges to watch for during the NFL Draft

DURHAM, N.C. (WTVD) — At least a couple of NFL prospects from Triangle schools expect to hear their names called Thursday night during the first round of the NFL Draft.

Plenty more will be taken Friday or Saturday somewhere in the second through seventh rounds.

Others will go undrafted but sign free-agent deals with teams in hopes of making a practice squad or even an active roster.

Here are a few of the players from area schools to watch as the NFL Draft gets underway.

Drake Maye, QB, UNC

Opinions differ on where Maye ranks among the top college signal-callers, but there’s no debating that he’s one of the few elite QB talents in the draft. At 6-4, 223 pounds, Maye has great size but can make plays with his arm or feet.

in Maye’s first season (2022) as a starter at UNC, he threw for 4,321 yards with 38 touchdowns and seven interceptions. With several key receivers gone to the NFL in his second season, his numbers took a dip as he passed for 24 TDs with nine interceptions.

Still, as ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper describes Maye, “He looks the part of a big-time NFL signal-caller. He can make every throw with ease. He’s accurate on the move and can pick up first downs with his legs. Maye varies his pass speeds really well — he knows when to take a little off to make it easier for his receivers. He has outstanding touch on vertical throws.”

Maye is projected to go as high as No. 2 to the Washington Commanders or No. 3 overall to the spot held by the New England Patriots. It would be a shocker if he fell lower than fifth overall Thursday night.

Graham Barton, OL, Duke

In a class deep in offensive lineman, Barton stands out as one of a handful expected to go in the first round.

Most analysts project Barton as a center in the NFL, and at Duke, the 6-5, 313-pound Barton played a few games at that position though mostly played left tackle. He made 39 starts for the Blue Devils.

Kiper says of Barton: “Extremely coachable and technically sound, and he has excellent natural ability. He plays an aggressive style of football. He is equally adept at both pass protection and moving defenders off the line of scrimmage in the run game. The NFL will love Barton’s game-to-game consistency, starting experience and versatility.”

Barton is expected to be chosen in the 20s on Thursday and be an instant starter.

Payton Wilson, ILB, NC State

No one is denying Wilson’s talent. The 6-4, 233-pound linebacker dazzled with his speed and athleticism at the NFL combine where he ran a 4.43 40-yard dash. He’s shown incredible instincts and always seems to be around the ball.

The Hillsborough native won the Chuck Bednarik Award in 2023, given to the college football defensive player of the year, and also won the Dick Butkus Award as the nation’s best college linebacker.

Wilson has first-round attributes but most analysts project him to go in the second or even third round mostly because of his injury history and because he’s an older draft entry at 24 years old.

NFL Network analyst Bucky Brooks says Wilson reminds him of former Carolina Panthers great Luke Kuechly. The ACC Defensive Player of the Year will surely make his presence felt no matter where he is drafted.

Tez Walker, WR, UNC

The 6-1 2/2, 193-pound Walker played only eight games in his only year in Chapel Hill because of eligibility issues but still made an impact with seven touchdowns on 41 catches. He racked up 699 yards — an average of 17 yards per catch. That’s the kind of big-play ability that gets the attention of pro scouts.

Most analysts see Walker as a Day 2 guy, getting selected as high as the mid-second round or possibly the third round. NFL Network projects Walker to be a good backup with the potential to develop as a starter.

Cedric Gray, LB, UNC

Gray was a highly productive linebacker for the Tar Heels, recording 121 tackles including 64 solo ones in 2023. He also had five sacks and forced two fumbles.

The Charlotte native is a little undersized by preferred NFL standards (6-1 1/2, 234 pounds) but projects as a good depth player who could eventually start. Analysts seem to think Gray will be taken late in the third round or early in the fourth.

DeWayne Carter, DT, Duke

Opinions have varied wildly on the 6-2, 302 Carter. Some draftheads have mocked Carter as early as the fourth round while others see him as a sixth-round pick.

Kiper has Carter at 93rd in his list of Top 100 players in the draft.

Carter’s sack numbers and solo tackles were down in 2023 from previous seasons, but much of that can be attributed to increased double teams on the disruptive Duke defender.

NFL Network grades him as a good rotational player with the upside to eventually start.

Dylan McMahon, C, NC State

The 6-3, 299-pound McMahon was a reliable member of the NC State offensive line. A team captain, he earned elite grades in seven games, more than any other offensive lineman.

As a pro prospect, opinions vary about his draft grade, with analyst opinions varying from a fourth-round selection to the final picks of Day 3. Kiper ranks McMahon as the eighth-best center prospect.

Regardless of where he’s drafted, McMahon is seen as a depth player with value on special teams by most analysts.

Jacob Monk, C, Duke

Speaking of centers, Monk, at 6-3, 320 pounds, has excellent size for that position.

The Clayton native was a two-time team captain for the Blue Devils who started 44 consecutive games on the offensive line at one stretch. He has played all three line positions but projects as a center in the NFL.

Kiper rates Monk as the 13th-best center in the draft pool and he could hear his name called Saturday when rounds 4-7 are held.

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