NFL executives address Patriots drafting QB Drake Maye over trading down

At least one unnamed NFL executive believes the New England Patriots should have traded down with the New York Giants rather than make North Carolina Tar Heels quarterback Drake Maye the third overall pick of the 2024 NFL draft. 

"New England had an opportunity to pick up an extra first (in 2025) and pick up additional draft capital and ride this season out with a version of Jacoby Brissett, (sixth-round pick) Joe Milton and Bailey Zappe," one executive told Mike Sando of The Athletic for a piece published Friday. "The Giants' offer looked strong. I don’t know why they didn’t pull the trigger on that." 

Per reports, the Giants were willing to give the Patriots overall choice No. 6 this year, their 2025 first-round selection "and second-round picks" for the right to move up and select Maye. Additionally, the Minnesota Vikings allegedly offered New England pick Nos. 11 and 23 overall this year, plus a 2025 first-round selection and pick swaps for the third choice. Minnesota seemingly never included star wide receiver Justin Jefferson in any proposal for what became the Maye pick. 

It's now clear that the Washington Commanders intended for weeks to draft LSU QB Jayden Daniels via the second pick after the Chicago Bears grabbed USC signal-caller Caleb Williams at No. 1 overall. 

"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. 

"It worked out for Houston," that executive continued. "It very well could work out for New England. I just think the team New England has around its QB more closely resembles Carolina than Houston." 

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.