(East Rutherford, NJ) – During the first round of the recently-completed NFL Draft, quarterbacks went flying off the board.
The top three picks were QBs – marking just the fourth time since 1967 that happened. By pick 12, six QBs had been chosen. The top six QBs had never been picked that fast.
So, it stands to reason that a number of teams were angling to draft QBs – even the ones who ultimately went in a different direction. That includes the New York Giants, who picked LSU WR Malik Nabers at 6 overall. A new report from ESPN’s Mike Reiss says Big Blue offered the New England Patriots their No. 6 pick, and their 2025 first-round pick. The Pats decided not to accept that offer and took Drake Maye out of UNC for themselves, but reports suggest the Giants were similarly enamored with him.
The Minnesota Vikings, who ended up with J.J. McCarthy out of Michigan, also tried to move up and take Maye. Reiss reports Minnesota offered their No. 11 and No. 23 picks as well as next year’s first rounder. They would have gotten back the No. 3 pick and two mid-rounders.
Despite that reported aggressive attempt to get Maye, Minnesota’s front office has maintained they wanted McCarthy all along. McCarthy’s draft stock seemingly rose significantly in April.
Elliot Wolf, New England’s scouting director and de facto GM confirmed trade talks swirled around the No. 3 pick. “There were different points throughout the process where there were [offers],” Wolf explained. “All along, we knew we were in a unique opportunity to get a quarterback that we liked.”
Jeremy Fowler of ESPN reports the Patriots plan to run an outside zone scheme with Maye under center, and that they were able to move past “concerns” over his footwork.
