The 2024 NFL Draft is just weeks away, set to take place from April 25-27. One of the most prominent conversations surrounding the annual player selection event revolves around the topic of which quarterbacks will potentially go in the first round.
Several signal-callers in this year’s class are highly touted, but the acclaim isn’t universal. For example, former NFL player and ESPN analyst Merril Hoge has what may be considered contrarian thoughts about UNC’s Drake Maye.
Merril Hoge Slams Drake Maye Ahead of 2024 NFL Draft
According to PFN’s Big Board, Maye is the best quarterback in the draft, even ahead of USC’s Caleb Williams, who is the heavy favorite to be taken first overall by the Chicago Bears. Hoge, meanwhile, doesn’t buy it.
“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 compared Maye to Tennessee Titans quarterback Malik Willis.
“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.”
In three years at North Carolina, two of them as a starter, Maye passed for 8,018 yards, 63 touchdowns, 16 interceptions, and a 64.9% completion percentage. He also rushed for 1,209 yards and 16 touchdowns on 302 attempts.
“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.”
Maye isn’t the first quarterback Hoge has slammed this cycle, calling out Williams earlier this year as well. He does, however, like LSU’s Jayden Daniels, saying he’d take Daniels over Maye. Hoge has also gone on the record to say he wouldn’t draft Maye in Round 1 at all.
KEEP READING: Top QBs in the 2024 NFL Draft
Hoge played running back in the NFL from 1987-1994, spending the first seven years with the Pittsburgh Steelers and his final season with the Bears. He was a 10th-round pick in the 1987 NFL Draft. Hoge was also an on-air analyst for ESPN from 1996 to 2017.
