The New York Giants tried hard to trade up for quarterback Drake Maye in the 2024 NFL Draft. They made a strong offer to the Patriots but were turned down.
Key Takeaways:
- The New York Giants wanted to move up from their No. 6 pick to get quarterback Drake Maye.
- The Giants offered their 2024 and 2025 first-round picks, but the Patriots turned down the trade.
- The team is focused on their future quarterback plans, even with Daniel Jones as their current starter.
Giants Tried Hard to Trade for Drake Maye
The New York Giants were determined to secure their next franchise quarterback in the 2024 NFL Draft.
With their trade target set on Drake Maye, the team knew they had to move up from their No. 6 overall pick to have a chance at drafting him.
This led to a series of conversations and trade attempts, prominently featured on the show “Hard Knocks.”
Giants’ Draft Strategy and Trade Conversations
During the NFL Scouting Combine, Giants’ general manager Joe Schoen took proactive steps to initiate trade discussions.
In a candid conversation with assistant GM Brandon Brown, Schoen revealed his plan to approach the New England Patriots, who held the No. 3 pick.
“I’m just going to go down there and say ‘hey’ before you do anything at three; just make sure you let us know,” Schoen said to Brown.
“Just plant a seed if you are going to move the pick. Don’t do it without at least giving us a call. We’re interested.”
The Patriots had expressed openness to trading their pick, creating an opportunity for the Giants.
Schoen approached Patriots Director of Player Personnel Eliot Wolf with a clear message, “If you guys are going to do anything at three, like move out, you don’t have to tell me your plan or anything, but if you have any inkling, just call me.”
Trade Offer and the Patriots’ Decision
The Giants offered their 2024 first-round pick (No. 6) and their 2025 first-round pick for the Patriots’ No. 3 overall pick.
Despite the strong offer, the Patriots decided to turn it down, ultimately selecting Drake Maye themselves.
Drake Maye’s appearance on “Hard Knocks” confirmed how much the Giants wanted him. Clips from the show showed his pre-draft interview with the Giants, where he quickly understood their play calling.
Head coach Brian Daboll was impressed with Maye, adding to the interest around him.
What This Means for the Giants
The Giants’ determination to draft Maye despite having a high-paid quarterback in Daniel Jones signals a long-term strategy for the franchise.
Although the Giants will allow Jones to retain his position, the events leading up to the draft make it clear that the team is looking ahead to 2025 and beyond.
The Giants’ Week 12 win over the Patriots, which likely hurt their draft position, adds another twist to this story.
Watching Maye do well in New England might make Giants fans wonder what could have been if the trade had worked out.
The “Hard Knocks” episodes give a look at the tough decisions in building an NFL team.
The New York Giants trade attempt for Drake Maye shows that they are serious about finding a great quarterback for the future, even if it means taking big risks.
