Analyst predicts Giants will make blockbuster draft trade for QB

Draft analyst Lance Zierlein of the NFL's website believes the New York Giants could make a blockbuster trade to move up from No. 6 to No. 3 to select North Carolina Tar Heels quarterback Drake Maye.

"In this three-spot move up the board, the Giants probably have to pay more than the standard trade chart would indicate, since the supply side of the quarterback position is dwindling but the demand remains high," Zierlein explained. 

Zierlein also mentioned how Giants head coach Brian Daboll may be keen on working with Maye because the signal-caller's attributes resemble those possessed by Buffalo Bills star Josh Allen. 

Daboll was Allen's offensive coordinator from 2018-21. 

Much has been made this offseason about the Giants' alleged desire to move on from Jones. He suffered two neck-related setbacks from the 2021 campaign through this past fall before he went down with a torn ACL on Nov. 5., leaving legitimate concerns about his health. New York can escape Jones' contract as soon as next winter, and it's thought he could serve as a bridge option who would start this season ahead of a rookie such as Maye. 

However, it was reported recently that none of the teams currently holding the first three picks of the upcoming draft "are overly interested in" trading down to choice No. 6. For a piece published this past Thursday, New England Patriots insider Chad Graff of The Athletic suggested the club would want three first-round picks to move off of selection No. 3. It's unclear if the Giants are willing to give up that many assets considering they finished last season at 6-11 and lost starters such as running back Saquon Barkley and safety Xavier McKinney via free agency. 

Meanwhile, Patriots de facto general manager Eliot Wolf is reportedly "pushing hard" for the team to select Michigan Wolverines quarterback J.J. McCarthy. Wolf may believe he can get McCarthy at the sixth overall selection, but it's possible a team such as the Minnesota Vikings or Denver Broncos could move up to choice No. 4 or No. 5 to take McCarthy.