Former NFL player Merril Hoge not impressed by Drake Maye: ‘He’s marginal at best’

Former Pittsburgh Steelers star Merril Hoge directed some sharply pointed criticism towards NFL Draft prospect Drake Maye.

Whereas Maye is extensively projected to listen to his title referred to as sooner or later in the course of the first ten picks Thursday evening, Hoge is just not bought on the quarterback’s potential to play at a excessive degree as soon as he reaches the NFL.  

“He’s marginal at finest,” Hoge stated throughout a current look on New England sports activities radio station WEEI.

Hoge pointed to Maye’s inconsistent play throughout his time at North Carolina, suggesting it could possibly be one of many causes the quarterback is not going to excel within the NFL.

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“Inconsistency alone, the inconsistency in throwing the soccer and processing, that’s simply a few of the issues,” Hoge added. “There’s an entire litany of issues you must right.”

2024 NFL DRAFT GUIDE: QUARTERBACKS HEADLINE DRAFT CLASS; WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT ORDER

The New England Patriots maintain the third general decide on this 12 months’s draft, and Maye has been linked to the group. 

Earlier this month, Sports Illustrated reported that the Patriots hosted Maye for a pre-draft go to. The group additionally met with Maye on the NFL Scouting Mix in Indianapolis and despatched representatives to his professional day in Chapel Hill.

Hoge additionally asserted his perception that whereas sure elements of a participant’s sport will be improved on the NFL degree, coaches won’t be able to remodel Maye right into a extra constant and extra correct passer.

“You may dial it in just a little bit,” Hoge stated. “However when you’re not an correct passer, you’re an inconsistent passer — that’s going to be magnified within the Nationwide Soccer League.”

Hoge additionally strongly disagreed with the comparisons some have drawn between Maye and two-time Professional Bowl quarterback Josh Allen.

“He isn’t even near Josh Allen,” Hoge stated. “I see nothing about Josh Allen. … There’s nothing, like nothing, however that’s what persons are going to count on.”

This isn’t the primary time Hoge has criticized Maye. Earlier this month, he issued a stern warning to any entrance workplace considering utilizing a high decide on the previous Tar Heels signal-caller.

“Drake Maye is the sort of participant that can get you fired,” Hoge advised WCCO radio. “Particularly when you draft him within the high 5 or high three. He’s going to get you fired.”

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Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels, Michael Penix Jr., J.J. McCarthy and Bo Nix spherical out the checklist of high quarterback prospects on this 12 months’s draft class. 

Williams is the overwhelming favourite to develop into the primary participant chosen Thursday evening. However Hoge can be not a believer in Williams. The Chicago Bears maintain the highest general decide tonight.

“The one factor that’s clear, he’s not particular,” Hoge stated on NBC Sports Chicago in February. “He isn’t one thing distinctive like a Patrick Mahomes. And I hope the Bears do not assume, ‘Properly let’s attempt to make up for our mistake once we handed up Patrick Mahomes and go get the Patrick Mahomes.’ The child is just not Patrick Mahomes. Ain’t even remotely near that.”

The primary spherical of the 2024 NFL Draft begins Thursday at 8 p.m. ET. The second and third rounds happen Friday, and rounds 4 by seven occur Saturday.

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