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The New England Patriots chose to retain the No. 3 pick in the NFL draft on Thursday and selected quarterback Drake Maye, despite a final, desperate attempt by the New York Giants to acquire the pick.
According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the Giants, along with the Vikings, tried to convince the Patriots to deal that selection, though it’s unclear what the offers either team made to New England.
“For the last several hours, I think it was pretty clear most teams thought the Patriots would make the pick, but it was not without a little bit of drama,” Rapoport said on the NFL Network broadcast of the first night of the draft.
“My understanding is the Vikings and Giants made one last-ditch effort to the Patriots to try to get them off the No. 3 overall pick. In the end, the Patriots opt likely for their franchise quarterback rather than a big-time trade.”
The Pats did indeed select a quarterback, making Maye the team’s next franchise quarterback.
While the Giants still had the chance to select Michigan QB J.J. McCarthy, general manager Joe Schoen and the Giants’ brain trust opted to select LSU wide receiver Malik Nabers at No. 6.
McCarthy had been thought to be high on the Giants’ list since they had met with him several times during the pre-draft process.
“The New York Giants, they’re a phenomenal staff,” McCarthy told Rich Eisen on Wednesday. “I love coach Daboll, I love Mr. Schoen, I love coach Tierney and coach Kafka. I met with them twice, it’s been amazing.”
However, he went to the Vikings at No. 10 after a trade with the Jets.
The Giants still have picks No. 47, 70, 107, 166 and 183, but the consensus top six quarterbacks all came off the board by the 12th pick in case they had any hopes of another option slipping.
