Drake Maye, the quarterback for the North Carolina Tar Heels, was selected third overall in the 2024 NFL draft by the New England Patriots, although at least one anonymous NFL executive feels that the team should have traded down with the New York Giants instead.
“For a story that ran on Friday, one executive told Mike Sando of The Athletic that “New England had an opportunity to pick up an extra first (in 2025), pick up additional draft money, and ride this season out with a version of Jacoby Brissett, (sixth-round selection) Joe Milton, and Bailey Zappe.” “The Giants made a compelling offer. I’m not sure why they chose not to act on that.
It’s now official that the Washington Commanders intended for weeks to draft LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels via the second pick after the Chicago Bears selected USC signal-caller Caleb Williams at No. 1 overall. The Giants reportedly offered the Patriots their 2025 first-round selection “and second-round picks” in exchange for the right to move up and select Maye. Furthermore, the Minnesota Vikings allegedly offered New England picks Nos. 11 and 23 overall this year, plus a 2025 first-round selection and pick swaps for the third choice.
“If Drake Maye goes to Washington at [No. 2], New England is taking Jayden Daniels — point being, New England was taking whoever was left,” a different executive told Sando. That executive compared last month’s first-round situation to a similar one from 2023, when the Houston Texans would have taken either Bryce Young or C.J. Stroud at No. 2 depending on the quarterback the Carolina Panthers chose with the first pick. Of course, Houston ultimately got the reigning Offensive Rookie of the Year in Stroud.
Head coach Jerod Mayo plans to hold a legitimate summer competition between Brissett and Maye for the Week 1 starting job. A third executive indicated that Patriots owner Robert Kraft could push for Mayo to pick Maye so the franchise can “sell tickets” for what likely will be a losing season.
As of Friday afternoon, DraftKings Sportsbook listed Maye eighth among the betting options at +1800 odds to win the Offensive Rookie of the Year Award for the upcoming campaign. Maye being such an underdog may show exactly what certain experts think of New England’s current roster ahead of training camp.
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