The 2024 NFL Draft is around the corner, and the hot takes have already started and are heating up as we get closer to the big day with one of the bigger names being mentioned being Drake Maye.
Merril Hoge is clearly not a big Drake Maye fan and further drove home his point this week.
The former NFL player voiced doubts about the North Carolina product in an interview with WCCO‘s Henry Lake, pointing to his poor accuracy and cognitive processing as reasons he would struggle in the NFL.
Hodges thinks that whoever drafts Maye will ultimately get fired in the long run when it doesn’t work out.
“Drake Maye is the kind of player that will get you fired,” said Hoge in an interview on WCCO radio. “Especially if you draft him in the top five or top three, he’s going to get you fired.”
Hoge then went on to compare Drake Maye to Tennessee Titans quarterback Malik Willis, who was a projected first-round pick before sliding to the Tennessee Titans in the third round in the 2022 draft.
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“Willis might be the only guy that I can think of that is as erratic as Maye,” said Hoge. “I studied him for two years … I watched every one of his games last year … His last game was probably the most embarrassing display I’ve seen from a guy who is supposed to be an elite franchise quarterback.”
That last game he is referring to is when Maye threw for 254 yards and a pair of touchdowns in the 38-22 loss to the Wolfpack on November 25th. However, he also tossed two interceptions and completed just 57.9 percent of his passes.
“People think his athleticism will translate, but people want him to run, and they will bust him up,” said Hoge. “He is not athletic enough. If he doesn’t get down and learn how to do that, he won’t last until Week 10.”
Hoge played running back in the NFL from 1987-1994.
Drake Maye Had Down Season Last Year Compared To Numbers He Had In 2022
Drake Maye threw for 4,321 yards, 38 touchdowns, and seven interceptions while completing 66.2 percent of his passes during the 2022 season.
His numbers dropped last season as he passed for 3,608 yards with 24 touchdowns, nine interceptions, and a 63.6 percent completion rate last season.
In his three years at North Carolina two of which were as a starter, Maye passed for 8,018 yards, 63 touchdowns, 16 interceptions, and a 64.9% completion percentage. He also showed off his legs as he rushed for 1,209 yards and 16 touchdowns on 302 attempts.
