The New England Patriots retained the No. 3 pick in the 2024 NFL draft to select quarterback Drake Maye, despite receiving numerous offers. Notably, their Super Bowl rivals, the New York Giants, expressed significant interest in acquiring the pick.
This interest was highlighted during a conversation at the Scouting Combine between Giants’ general manager Joe Schoen and assistant GM Brandon Brown. This exchange was captured for HBO’s “Hard Knocks: Offseason with the New York Giants” on Max and appeared in the series’ second episode, which aired on Tuesday, July 9. Schoen mentioned to Brown that he planned to approach the Patriots, saying, “Hey, before you do anything at three, just make sure you let us know. Just plant the seed, if you are going to move the pick don’t do it without at least giving us a call and we’re interested.”
Following this discussion, Schoen contacted the Patriots’ de facto GM Eliot Wolf to reiterate the Giants’ interest. Schoen told Wolf, “if you have any inkling, just call me.” Wolf acknowledged receiving calls from other teams but did not disclose the Patriots’ plans. The Patriots’ true intentions became clear when they selected Maye with the No. 3 pick, securing a potential franchise quarterback after Tom Brady’s departure in 2020.
Speculation was strong that the Giants coveted Maye, which may have influenced Wolf’s decision to keep the pick. The Patriots’ choice not only filled their need for a quarterback but also potentially thwarted the Giants, who had defeated them in the Super Bowls following the 2007 and 2011 seasons.