It’s been the main topic of conversation this entire offseason for the New York Giants, will general manager Joe Schoen and head coach Brian Daboll trade up for a quarterback in the 2024 NFL Draft? And if they do, how much will it cost them?
NFL.com expert Ali Bhanpuri aimed to determine the latter on April 17, detailing a major trade proposal where the Giants would pay a 21% premium to create a “win-win” deal with the New England Patriots — who have been open about a willingness to trade down should the right offer emerge.
Bhanpuri thinks the trade package below could be that offer, and he listed each draft pick’s point value to support his case.
- Giants get: – 2024 first-round pick (No. 3 overall), 2,200 points.
- Patriots get: – 2024 first-round pick (No. 6 overall), 1,600 points.
– 2024 second-round pick (No. 47), 430 points.
– 2024 third-round pick (No. 70), 240 points.
– 2025 second-round pick, 400 points (valued at the 18th pick in the round).
This massive haul of draft capital would equate to a total value of 2,670 points, or in other words, a premium of 21%.
Giants Must Not Settle at Quarterback If They Want Drake Maye or Jayden Daniels
There’s only one reason you make this franchise-altering trade if you’re the Giants — the quarterback that you covet is sitting there at No. 3 overall.
That player is more likely to be Drake Maye or Jayden Daniels than J.J. McCarthy or a second-tier prospect like Bo Nix or Michael Penix Jr., and based on the theories and opinions of media members like ESPN’s Jordan Raanan, Maye fits the Daboll-Schoen profile best out of this year’s class.
Bhanpuri explained why he thinks Big Blue should consider making this offer.
“Brian Daboll and Joe Schoen did not draft Daniel Jones,” he reiterated. “Furthermore, the third-year coach-GM combo is not prohibitively tied to the injury-riddled QB — financially or by mandate — beyond the 2024 season.”
“Fresh off an underwhelming 6-11 campaign devoid of excitement (save for a three-game win streak fostered by undrafted rookie Tommy DeVito), surely neither Daboll nor Schoen want to see another season short-circuited because of inconsistent QB play, especially not from an inherited arm,” Bhanpuri continued. “So, if a guy they love is available at No. 3… then moving up is a no-brainer.”
Or in simpler terms: Never settle as quarterback. If there’s a player you really want — either more than the QBs you currently have, or more than a backup plan in the draft — do whatever it takes to get your guy.
“New York’s front office has already demonstrated its willingness to make organization-rocking moves this offseason, tading for Pro Bowler Brian Burns and allowing Saquon Barkley to walk,” Bhanpuri added. Concluding: “Leadership can truly put its stamp on the program (and re-energize the fan base) by hand-picking a new franchise passer.”
Patriots Declare They Are ‘Open for Business’ at No. 3 Overall, Note Trade Discussions Are ‘Ongoing’
As for the rumors that New England would never consider moving this No. 3 overall selection, they’re simply not true.
“New England Patriots director of scouting Eliot Wolf said Thursday that the team is ‘open for business’ to trade the No. 3 pick in next week’s 2024 NFL draft but would be comfortable staying put and selecting a quarterback from what he called a ‘unique’ class,” ESPN’s Mike Reiss made a report on the 18th of April.
“We have some gaps we believe we need to fill in the draft,” Wolf honestly told reporters on Thursday. “We’re a team that develops players through the draft; the more picks we have, the better.”
Bhanpuri indicated a similar attitude when discussing this deal from a perspective focused on the Patriots.
“Instead of putting another first-round quarterback into a difficult situation — and wasting a year (or two) of his rookie contract that offers team-friendly terms — the Pats’ leadership, benefiting from the patience typically shown to new hires, decides to move down three spots. This move virtually guarantees them one of the top three receivers. They also acquire multiple second-round picks to further strengthen the supporting team for when they decide to choose the Jacoby Brissett bridge.”
Wolf, the de facto Patriots general manager, also conveyed that trade discussions are currently “ongoing” (via Reiss).
Reading between the lines, New England does not have a quarterback prospect they’re extremely excited about who they hope will be available at three. If they did, they wouldn’t be looking to trade the pick in mid-April.
They may not be fully convinced about any of the rookie quarterbacks, or they like more than one QB and are willing to wait for a second-tier prospect. In any case, saying “open for business” clearly sends a message to potential bidders. We’re open to trading down, but it will come at a price.
