Rumors are flying all over the place with the 2024 NFL Draft nearly here, and a bunch of them involve the Giants and their interest level in some of the quarterbacks expected to go high in the first round Thursday night.
While there are likely plenty of agendas at play regarding these news leaks and things are always subject to change, UNC quarterback Drake Maye is “the Giants’ guy,” according to ESPN’s Dan Graziano.
The Patriots haven’t seemed impressed with teams’ offers for the No. 3 overall pick, but the Wednesday ESPN report says the Giants and Vikings “have been most active” in talking with New England about that selection, and that if the Commanders take Jayden Daniels at No. 2, Big Blue “would be very interested in trading up to No. 3 for Maye.”
One potential alternative — again, could be posturing — is the Giants taking Washington QB Michael Penix Jr. as high as the No. 6 pick they currently hold, per ESPN.
Those rumors suggest that the Giants are not as interested in Michigan’s J.J. McCarthy, something three national reporters have given credence to.
NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah said he doesn’t view the Giants “as a J.J. McCarthy team,” with The Athletic’s Dane Brugler and Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer agreeing with that assessment on X.
The Giants have done their homework on the top quarterbacks as Daniel Jones is coming off a torn ACL and entering the second season of a four-year, $160 million contract, which they can get out of after next season at a reasonable cost.
If they cut Jones after the 2024 season, the Giants would have a manageable $22.2 million dead-money charge for 2025.
USC quarterback Caleb Williams is a lock to go No. 1 overall to the Bears, with the Commanders and Patriots pegged to take quarterbacks at No. 2 and 3, respectively.
LSU’s Jayden Daniels figures to be a top-three selection.
The Giants could try to boost Jones’ confidence by taking a wide receiver at No. 6, with LSU’s Malik Nabers and Washington’s Rome Odunze potential options; Ohio State’s Marvin Harrison Jr. is expected to be off the board by then.
