Big Blue View
Can GM Joe Schoen swing a deal to make it happen?
Multiple reports indicate that the New York Giants are trying to pry the No. 3 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft away from the New England Patriots in an effort to select North Carolina quarterback Drake Maye.
Jordan Ranaan and Dan Graziano of ESPN are both reporting that the Giants are hunting for Maye. Graziano said:
“A month ago, many in the league believed their favorite quarterback in the class was [J.J.] McCarthy. If that were true, things have changed. The rumblings early this week: The Giants’ guy is Maye.”
Here is more from Graziano, including what would turn out to be a shocking turn at No. 6 if it is what the Giants ultimately do:
“I’ve been told the Giants and Vikings are the two teams that have been most active in discussions with the Patriots about the No. 3 pick, and that if Washington takes Daniels at No. 2, the Giants would be very interested in trading up to No. 3 for Maye. I’ve also been told in recent days that the Giants like Penix and might even be willing to take him as high as No. 6. There’s a lot of chatter flying around, but what is clear is that the Giants have done significant work on the quarterbacks and are very open, if not desperate, to come out of Thursday night with one of them.”
Trading up for Maye would be pricey, but not stunning. It is not difficult to see the parallels, physically and in terms of their college scouting reports, between Maye and Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen.
After working successfully in Buffalo to help turn Allen into one of the game’s best quarterbacks, it isn’t hard to imagine Giants head coach Brian Daboll believing he can have similar success with Maye.
The Giants, though, might not be able to make the move.
First, the Vikings have picks No. 11 and 23 in Round 1, potentially a 2025 first-round pick to offer, plus other assorted assets. The Giants have pick No. 6, but would be relying on the Patriots, or the Arizona Cardinals at No. 4 and Los Angeles Chargers at No. 5 as potential trade partners, to be reluctant to move out of the top 10.
Albert Breer of SI believes “the likelihood is New England doesn’t move the pick, and selects a quarterback.”
There might be another complicating factor for Schoen — Giants’ ownership.
Dianna Russini of The Athletic said on ‘The Athletic Football Show’ ownership is reluctant to give up a massive draft haul a year after signing Daniel Jones to a four-year, $160 million deal that has Jones earning $36 million in guaranteed base salary this season.
“It was explained to me that that was just a really tough sell to ownership after giving Daniel Jones that contract last year,” Russini said. “That we’re going to give up assets to replace a quarterback that we’re...
