The New York Giants paid a premium to acquire head coach Brian Daboll by trading for Drake Maye in exchange for the New England Patriots, believing that Maye is a franchise quarterback.
NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein has proposed an audacious trade scenario. In order to secure New England’s third-overall choice in the 2024 NFL draft, he thinks the Giants should move up from No. 6—even though doing so will probably require them to “pay more than the standard trade chart would indicate.”
Because “Brian Daboll fostered Josh Allen’s raw talents in Buffalo and could have a chance to do the same with this toolsy but inconsistent North Carolina product,” Zierliein believes Maye is deserving of the prize.
Ed, there are already a lot of indications that the Giants won’t hesitate to spend big on the right quarterback on draft day.
The team president, John Mara, gave the clearest indication yet that the Giants will move up to compete for starter Daniel Jones in the draft. He disclosed that, should they find a signal-caller they truly love, Daboll and general manager Joe Schoen are free to choose a different one in the first round.
Maye has undoubtedly already attracted the attention of the Giants’ executives. As a powerful-armed playmaker who could overcome opponents both through the air and on the ground, he flourished at North Carolina.
Although there are others who question Maye’s accuracy and consistency, even Giants Super Bowl champion Phil Simms, a respected authority, is impressed with the 21-year-old’s arm ability. Simms was impressed by Maye’s “throws on the run.” “Throws on the run, both deep and high” during the prospect’s pro day.
Jones is devoid of an exceptional arm. To maximize the passing game and utilize the skills of wide receivers Wan’Dale Robinson and Jalin Hyatt, Daboll needs it.
Daboll’s scheme also depends on a quarterback with strong leg action. Jones excelled in this area in 2022, gaining 708 yards and seven touchdowns through the air, although his integrity is called into question due to an ACL tear sustained the previous season.
While serving as offensive coordinator for the Buffalo Bills, Daboll turned Josh Allen from a raw prospect into a two-time Pro Bowl quarterback, which marked him as a star on the rise in the coaching ranks. While Jones struggled last season to protect the football and make the right reads, Daboll can still prove he’s a legitimate quarterback whisperer if he gets another Allen. It’s debatable how he finds his next project.
Maybe the Giants select Maye in a deal with the Patriots, who are also in need of a QB. Or perhaps Schoen holds off and makes a trade to acquire a late first-round pick that he can use to choose between Washington’s Michael Penix Jr. and Oregon’s Bo Nix, who is a standout quarterback.
Alternatively, Big Blue may choose to remain at No. 6 and still select a quarterback of a new generation. Although it sounds like the stuff of fantasies, Ian Valentino of The 33rd Team thinks it’s feasible.
Could the New York Giants really select a player this good out of the draft without trading up, he questioned? The Chargers and Cardinals appear to be pleading with teams to deal above them.
