Giants 7-Round Mock Draft 5.0: Falling QB Too Good to Pass Up?

Don’t blink because the 2024 NFL Draft is just 11 days away and there has been no shortage of noise coming out of East Rutherford surrounding the New York Giants. The team still holds control of the No. 6 overall pick, which many believe they will focus on recruiting one of the top quarterbacks in this year’s class. 

However, general manager Joe Schoen said last week that the team’s options will go beyond the quarterback position at No. 6 and that other needs will need to be addressed within their slim six picks this year. If the top-four quarterbacks go before they reach their pick, the Giants have the ability to swing towards the next best player on their board and have the means to do so after a good free agency window. 

There is also the prospect of a trade happening within the top-10 selections on night one if the Giants feel they need to make a momentous move to land the franchise’s future gunslinger after Daniel Jones. If last year’s class proved anything, it’s that the Giants have the right people in place to hunt down the diamonds in the rough and what a job it would be if Schoen and company nailed this one to further the organization’s rebuild. 

6th Overall Pick: Drake Maye - Quarterback

Joe Schoen knows he has his options, all of them capable of helping improve the roster for the 2024 season, if a top quarterback isn’t available at No. 6. However, he wouldn’t have to worry about that here, as UNC quarterback Drake Maye falls right into New York’s lap at their first selection. 

Much has been made towards Michigan’s JJ McCarthy’s draft stock rising and the idea that it could cause one of his fellow prospects to fall a few spots in the first round. That is exactly what happens as New England takes a big gamble on the national championship winner at No. 3 and the Giants land one of the best all-round arms coming out of the college ranks. 

The Tar Heels redshirt sophomore is coming off a ferocious campaign where he showed off his dual-threat skillset to the tune of 3, 608 passing yards (8.5 average) with 24 touchdowns and nine interceptions. He followed that statline with 112 rushes for 449 yards and nine touchdowns with his feet for his best season in the latter most category. 

Maye’s final season with UNC didn’t end on the most positive note, but he was a big factor in the early half when they dominated behind his multiple games of at least 400 passing yards. Coming to New York will undoubtedly add extra pressure than what he experienced in Chapel Hill, but a player of his size, stature and talents is built to show up and upgrade the Giants offense.