For months, the New England Patriots kept everybody in the dark about their plans.
Most scouts, analysts, and fans assumed they would take a quarterback with the No. 3 pick, as that was clearly their biggest need.
And with either Jayden Daniels or Drake Maye up for grabs, either would’ve been a great choice.
Nonetheless, the Patriots had needs all over the roster, so some thought they could’ve been talked into trading down and flipping that first-round pick into more draft capital.
That’s why, during the NFL Scouting Combine, New York Giants GM Joe Schoen reached out to Eliot Wolf to let him know that they were interested in trading up (via Savage Sports).
The Giants wanted Drake Maye so badly pic.com/74wUZjGh8M
— Savage (@SavageSports_) July 10, 2024
The latest episode of HBO’s Hard Knocks showed Schoen trying to ‘plant the seed,’ and while he tried to play it cool, he made it quite obvious that he was desperately trying to get their hands on that selection.
There were plenty of rumors about the Giants looking to move up to pair Drake Maye with Brian Daboll.
That seemed like a match made in heaven, as he has the body type and playing style similar to Josh Allen’s, and Daboll had been instrumental in his development.
Eventually, the Patriots stood pat and got the UNC product with that pick, whereas the Giants took LSU star Malik Nabers at No. 6.
Only time will tell which was the better pick, but this kind of unprecedented access to decision-makers has made this Hard Knocks season one of best — if not the best — ever already.
