Merril Hoge has a warning for NFL coaches and general managers with picks near the top of the 2024 NFL Draft: Prepare to be on the unemployment line if you select Drake Maye.
Maye is projected to be a top-three pick later this month with the likelihood being that he goes to the Commanders with the No. 2 pick or the Patriots right behind them.
“Drake Maye is the kind of player that will get you fired,” Hoge said on WCCO radio. “Especially if you draft him in the top five or top three, he’s going to get you fired.”
With USC’s Caleb Williams expected to be drafted No. 1, Maye and LSU’s Jayden Daniels, the 2023 Heisman Trophy winner, are expected to go No. 2 and No. 3, though it’s unclear who will be selected first.
Hoge compared Maye to Titans quarterback Malik Willis, who was a third-round pick in 2022 and is behind Will Levis on Tennessee’s depth chart.
“Willis might be the only guy that I can think of that is as erratic as Maye,” said Hoge, who was an ESPN analyst from 1996-2017 after the running back played eight seasons for the Steelers and Bears.
“I studied him for two years. I watched every one of his games last year. His last game against [North Carolina State] was probably the most embarrassing display I’ve seen from a guy who is supposed to be an elite franchise quarterback. He’s erratic. He’s everywhere.”
In 12 games in 2023, Maye threw for 3,608 yards, 24 touchdowns and nine interceptions.
It was a step back from 2022 when North Carolina had significantly more talent surrounding him and he threw for 4,321 yards, 38 touchdowns and seven interceptions while leading the Tar Heels to an ACC Championship game appearance, where they lost to Clemson.
In both of the last two seasons, North Carolina stumbled at the end.
In 2022, they were 9-1 before losing their last four games; last season, they were 6-0 before losing five of their last seven games.
Maye reportedly met with the Patriots, who hold the No. 3 pick in the draft, in person on Friday.
It was the third meeting between Maye and New England. Maye also reportedly met with the Washington Commanders before his UNC pro day.
The first round of the NFL Draft will take place on April 25.
