Mock drafts have Drake Maye going as high as second overall, but Merril Hoge thinks that would be way too high.
Hoge, the former ESPN NFL analyst who played running back for the Steelers and Bears, joined “The Herd” on FS1 on Tuesday and was asked why he’s not digging the North Carolina quarterback prospect.
“His processing — I watch him function under pressure. I don’t think I’ve seen execute a pressure correctly — identify it. Oftentimes, he misses it,” Hoge, 59, said.
“Sometimes, when you see his head in that position, and he doesn’t acknowledge it and make the throw. Those are concerning. When I talk about processing, there’s not a lot that I’m like really confident about that he processes things well, especially pressures.”
Both Maye and presumptive top overall pick Caleb Williams are not throwing at the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis this week.
Hoge was also alarmed by Maye’s accuracy.
“He is completely erratic when it comes to throwing the football,” Hoge continued.
“It’s a big concern. Can you button those things up? Can you get a little better? Here’s what my ultimate belief is from playing in this league, coaching, studying this league for 40 years — you just don’t correct that. It actually is magnified when you get to the National Football League.
“That’s when you become more erratic, and it’s on all throws. It’s short, intermediate, long.”
This past season, Maye completed 63.3 percent of his passes and threw for 8.5 yards per attempt.
While Hoge granted that Maye has big play ability, he continued to hammer away at the downside risks.
“Now, he’ll do enough to dazzle you,” Hoge acknowledged.
“Here’s what I always felt the problem is. You say, ‘I’m gonna fix that. I’ll make you smarter. I’ll make you more accurate.’ That’s where people get fired, when you do that.
“There’s just too much there that I wouldn’t give him a first-round grade. I wouldn’t take him in the first round, and if I did I’d be very concerned about how long I’m gonna be around as coach or GM.”
ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported Tuesday that Maye is getting mentored by former NFL quarterback Philip Rivers.