3 weeks ago
Former Pittsburgh Steelers prima Merril Hoge directed immoderate sharply pointed disapproval toward NFL Draft imaginable Drake Maye.
While Maye is wide projected to perceive his sanction called astatine immoderate constituent during nan first 10 picks Thursday night, Hoge is not sold connected nan quarterback's expertise to play astatine a precocious level erstwhile he reaches the NFL.
"He’s marginal astatine best," Hoge said during a caller quality connected New England sports power position WEEI.
Hoge pointed to Maye's inconsistent play during his clip astatine North Carolina, suggesting it could beryllium 1 of nan reasons nan backmost will not excel successful nan NFL.
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Drake Maye of nan North Carolina Tar Heels runs nan shot successful a crippled against nan Syracuse Orange astatine Kenan Memorial Stadium successful Chapel Hill, N.C., Oct 7, 2023. (David Jensen/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
"Inconsistency alone, nan inconsistency successful throwing nan shot and processing, that’s conscionable immoderate of nan problems," Hoge added. "There’s a full litany of things you person to correct."
2024 NFL DRAFT GUIDE: QUARTERBACKS HEADLINE DRAFT CLASS; WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT ORDER
The New England Patriots clasp nan 3rd wide prime successful this year's draft, and Maye has been linked to nan team.
Earlier this month, Sports Illustrated reported that nan Patriots hosted Maye for a pre-draft visit. The squad besides met pinch Maye astatine nan NFL Scouting Combine successful Indianapolis and sent representatives to his pro time successful Chapel Hill.
Merril Hoge speaks connected SiriusXM astatine nan Super Bowl Feb. 8, 2024, successful Las Vegas. (Cindy Ord/Getty Images for SiriusXM)
Hoge besides asserted his belief that while definite aspects of a player's crippled tin beryllium improved astatine nan NFL level, coaches will not beryllium capable to toggle shape Maye into a much accordant and much meticulous passer.
"You tin dial it successful a small bit," Hoge said. "But if you’re not an meticulous passer, you’re an inconsistent passer — that is going to beryllium magnified successful nan National Football League."
Hoge besides powerfully disagreed pinch nan comparisons immoderate person drawn betwixt Maye and two-time Pro Bowl backmost Josh Allen.
"He is not moreover adjacent to Josh Allen," Hoge said. "I spot thing astir Josh Allen. … There’s nothing, for illustration nothing, but that’s what group are going to expect."
North Carolina Tar Heels backmost Drake Maye (10) drops backmost to walk during a crippled against nan Clemson Tigers Nov. 18, 2023. astatine Memorial Stadium successful Clemson, S.C. (Joe Robbins/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
This is not nan first clip Hoge has criticized Maye. Earlier this month, he issued a stern informing to immoderate beforehand agency contemplating utilizing a apical prime connected nan erstwhile Tar Heels signal-caller.
"Drake Maye is nan benignant of subordinate that will get you fired," Hoge told WCCO radio. "Especially if you draught him successful nan apical 5 aliases apical 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 information retired nan database of apical backmost prospects successful this year's draught class.
Williams is nan overwhelming favourite to go nan first subordinate selected Thursday night. But Hoge is besides not a believer successful Williams. The Chicago Bears clasp nan apical wide prime tonight.
"The 1 point that is clear, he is not special," Hoge said connected NBC Sports Chicago successful February. "He is not thing unsocial for illustration a Patrick Mahomes. And I dream nan Bears don't think, 'Well let's effort to dress up for our correction erstwhile we passed up Patrick Mahomes and spell get nan Patrick Mahomes.' The kid is not Patrick Mahomes. Ain't moreover remotely adjacent to that."
The first information of nan 2024 NFL Draft originates Thursday astatine 8 p.m. ET. The 2nd and 3rd rounds return spot Friday, and rounds 4 done 7 hap Saturday.
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Chantz Martin is simply a sports writer for Fox News Digital.
