Drake Maye has long been considered one of the top quarterbacks in the 2024 NFL Draft class.
While many draft experts believe the young signal-caller could use a year of developing behind a proven starter, Maye possesses the leadership and intangibles necessary for any organization. For a team like the New York Giants, wondering about their starting quarterback, Maye could be the type of player they should have an interest in.
According to one New York reporter, it isn’t a matter of “if” the Giants have interest, but how the team can trade up for the North Carolina star.
New York Giants Targeting Trade Up
FOX Sports NFC East reporter Ralph Vacchiano made it clear that the Giants are considering drafting a quarterback at some point during the 2024 NFL Draft. However, the long-time NFL reporter stated that Maye was the only one New York would be willing to trade up for.
“He (Maye) is the prospect who could most entice the Giants to make a blockbuster move up from No. 6, according to multiple NFL sources familiar with the Giants’ thinking,” Vacchiano stated Friday.
New York, according to Vacchiano, believes Maye is the second-best quarterback in the class, and if the Washington Commanders were to select LSU’s Jayden Daniels, the Giants could aggressively look to trade up to No. 3 overall.
The hard part, as Vacchiano points out, is that the New England Patriots also need a quarterback. As owners of the No. 3 pick, they could simply select Maye instead of trading back in the draft.
At the very least, the Giants’ interest in Maye is real, and the only question on draft night will be if they have enough to entice the Patriots to trade out of their current spot.
How Much Would It Cost for Giants To Trade Up?
In a loaded quarterback class, teams that may be unsure of their long-term future at the position are more inclined to trade up for top players than sit back and settle for other positions of lesser value.
That’s why the Giants have a difficult decision on their hands. Especially when the debate for draft compensation creeps up.
Vacchiano compares New York’s potential trade-up with New England for the trade the New York Jets made to draft Sam Darnold in 2018. The Jets gave up three second-round picks, and that price has only increased in the years to follow.
The G-Men own their next three second-round picks, but giving up that kind of capital, with other needs along the roster at wide receiver, offensive line, and in the secondary, means that when Maye is ready to start, the team won’t field a top roster like other organizations have with quarterbacks on rookie deals.
At the very least, Giants general manager Joe Schoen and head coach Brian Daboll are not unaware of the price tag for trading up. When both were with the Buffalo Bills in 2018, the team moved up twice for Josh Allen.
The price tag for the third pick could be more costly than the two second-round picks that the team needed to give up.
Maye’s Scouting Report
In PFN’s scouting report on Maye, NFL Draft Analyst Ian Cummings has him as the top quarterback on the board — even ahead of the expected No. 1 pick, Caleb Williams.
Cummings cites Maye’s arm talent, and athleticism in the pocket as a reason for his high overall grade. Yet, while he has Maye as QB1, not everyone believes in the 21-year-old off the bat.
Many draft scouts expect Maye to need a year to fully develop and prepare his game at the NFL level. While this is hardly news — many top quarterbacks currently playing did not see game action in the NFL until their second year or even later — it could be the reason Maye’s name is called third behind Williams and Daniels.
At the very least, the Giants agree with Cummings’ assessment of the Tar Heel. The only question remaining will be if New York can convince the Patriots to give up their spot in the draft.
