Maldini has actually played as DM. He's quite comfortable on the ball and reports say he advanced out of defence frequently. So as a centre halfback in 2-3-5, I don't see any problems.
Yeah, but you wouldn't use him in a 2-3-5 in a draft, would you? Because you wouldn't opt for a 2-3-5 in the first place, for obvious reasons.
The (possible) fact that he wouldn't look out of place as a CH in a 2-3-5 is irrelevant. The question is how plausible he'd be as a DM in any kind of formation likely to be used in a draft.
If any kind of - what? - pre-70s CB who's "comfortable on the ball" is considered a plausible DM, then why not introduce, say, Rio Ferdinand as a DM in the draft context?
I'm sure he played once or twice as a nominal DM too (if not for United, then maybe for West Ham or Leeds).
Monti (to bring him up again) is a plausible DM because a) his default position is a hybrid one (or could be regarded as such, at least) and b) his individual traits suggest that he's suitable for the role.
A standard central defender in the 1960s is not comparable to a centre half in the 1930s, though - tactically, positionally, and so forth...that role has changed dramatically.