Quarterback doesn't have to be the main focus for the New York Giants during the 2024 NFL draft, unless head coach Brian Daboll sees too much similarity to Josh Allen in Drake Maye.
Based on ESPN’s Jordan Raanan, “There is a strong belief by some in the league that Maye is the Giants’ guy. Perhaps it is because he is most similar to Daboll’s former student, Allen.”
Daboll was hired by the Giants mostly because of his success in developing Allen into one of the league’s best quarterbacks. Allen, who was drafted seventh in 2018, became a Pro Bowler in 2020 while Daboll was still the offensive coordinator for the Buffalo Bills.
The opportunity to work with another Allen might, as Raanan described it, “compel New York to invest in its future in order to address the most important position on the roster.”
Giants Would Pay a High Cost to Draft Drake Maye
Getting to a position to select Maye would likely entail the Giants trading up from the sixth spot in the first round. Fortunately, there are potential trade partners, especially the New England Patriots, who possess the third-overall pick, but have already stated that they are open to making a deal.
The Giants striking a deal with the Patriots for Maye is a familiar theme. On Friday, April 5, Ralph Vacchiano of Fox Sports reported “one league source said he believes that if Maye somehow gets past the Washington Commanders at No. 2 — which is far from a certainty — the Giants would consider making an aggressive offer to the New England Patriots to move up from No. 6 to No. 3 to draft him. It’s not clear if New York would be willing to do the same for LSU’s Jayden Daniels or Michigan’s J.J. McCarthy, the other two top quarterbacks likely to be available at that spot.”
It's a plausible scenario for the Giants, but a costly one. Raanan revealed how “something equivalent to pick No. 6 in this year's draft and either a first- or second-round pick next year to enter the conversation at picks Nos. 3 or 4. Even that is not believed to be enough for the New England Patriots’ pick at No. 3.”
There’s even a “so-called ‘QB tax’ that the Arizona Cardinals would get for trading the No. 4 pick to a quarterback-hungry team,” according to Raanan.
The price is high, but there is no getting around paying over the odds to upgrade football’s most important position. What Daboll did for Allen might be enough to convince the Giants to pay up.
Josh Allen Comparisons Should Tempt Giants
Incredible natural arm talent, useful mobility and a knack for making plays off script define Allen’s game. Those same traits are evident to anyone who’s seen Maye operate.
Plays like this left-handed touchdown pass against Pittsburgh, highlighted by The 33rd Team’s Ian Valentino, show how Maye is able to turn even a broken play into something special.
The 21-year-old made all the throws pro teams want to see during his time at North Carolina, but Maye also proved effective as a runner. At 6-foot-5 and 220 pounds, he’s a similar physical specimen to 6-foot-5, 237-pounder Allen.
Like the latter, Maye will use his mobility to get out of bad situations and punish defenses playing man coverage, something illustrated here by Taylor Kyles from the Patriots is on CLNS.
Daboll set up opportunities for Allen to exploit defenses with his running in Buffalo, and he would do the same for Maye. Being able to bring out the best in a unpredictable physical talent makes daboll and the Giants possibly the best match for Maye.
Trying to bring Daniel Jones up to Allen’s level hasn’t worked, but Maye would have greater potential.
