The New England Patriots had the option to trade the No. 3 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft until hours before the start of the draft, but it would have taken “something crazy” to make a move on North Carolina Tar Heels quarterback Drake May.
Let’s give the New York Giants credit for at least trying. They wanted to do it in the worst way possible. It would have taken a “pretty substantial” package to get the Patriots to shrink. And by substantial, I mean a Ricky Williams-style pick locker.
GM Joe Schoen called the Patriots at 3:32 p.m. ET on the first day of the draft and offered them the Giants’ first-round pick (sixth overall), a first-round pick in 2025, and this year’s pick. It wasn’t enough.
Patriots vice president of player personnel Elliot Wolff didn’t flinch when he got the offer. His reasoning? The Patriots needed a quarterback!
Here’s how the conversation went in the latest episode of “Hard Knocks: Offseason with the New York Giants.”
Schoen: “Are you guys still listening? [to offers]? Are you still making up your mind? What do you think?”
Wolf: “I think we’re pretty content to sit here and pick and choose. But again, if you tell us [your first, second and third-round pick] this year, [your first and second-round pick] Next year… I mean, I’m exaggerating, but something crazy is going to happen.”
Schoen: “It’s probably quite important. So, [first-round pick] this year [obviously No. 6 this year]all [first-round pick] Shouldn’t we do more next year and this year? ‘Shouldn’t it be a multiple by 25?”
Wolf: “Well, we’re kind of in a situation where we just sit down and pick a quarterback.”
Sean: “If anything changes or you want me to add something to it, let me know.”
And with that, the Giants’ dream of landing one of their top three quarterbacks disappeared. They also liked Jayden Daniels enough that they traded up for him, but the LSU quarterback was a sure thing to go to the Washington Commanders at No. 2 in the draft at that point.
So the Giants focused on finding a playmaker for quarterback Daniel Jones. They had contingency plans in case wide receivers Marvin Harrison Jr. and Malik Navers were selected fourth and fifth. But New York ultimately selected Navers sixth overall out of LSU. That’s no consolation, considering he was the top-rated wide receiver, according to wide receivers coach Mike Groh.
This shows that the Patriots are unlikely to actually trade out of the top three, as no one would have given up what they were asking for. ESPN’s Mike Reiss described the process as “an unprecedented deal” that would tempt Wolf and New England.
The Giants have been monitoring this process for months. In a previous episode of Hard Knocks, Schoen was seen walking into the Patriots suite at the NFL Scouting Combine and telling Wolff to “keep me in mind” if they trade him.
New York now needs to adjust and make Jones, the current and frequently injured starter, feel needed. Jones’ contract allows the organization a reasonable outing after this season, if they are inclined to pivot in that direction.
It’s hard to imagine the Giants giving up that option, considering they’re already looking for a potential replacement for Jones. With both sides knowing this is happening and it being broadcast around the world, it could be an interesting and awkward year in New York.
