Giants Mock Draft Buzz: Drake Maye vs Malik Nabers; will NY go prototype QB or exciting WR at No. 6

Who will the New York Giants selection with the No. 6 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft?  Well, this is an interesting spot for the Giants who could decide move up if they really covet one of the top quarterbacks in the draft or stay pat and select the best player available to fill their need along the offensive line or an explosive playmaker.

They could also get lucky and have one of those top quarterbacks fall to them at No. 6.  That’s if they decide to move on from Daniel Jones.  Even if they don’t, CBS Sports has North Carolina’s Drake Maye falling to the Giants at No. 6.

In his latest CBS Sports Mock Draft, Chris Trapasso writes:

“Even with Daniel Jones and Tyrod Taylor on the roster, the Giants can't pass on the big-bodied talent with Maye here at No. 6.”

Maye, who is ranked as one of the top two quarterbacks entering the draft behind Caleb Williams, has the prototypical size of a quarterback (6-foot-4, 229 pounds) and is highly efficient as a passer.  He didn’t have as great of a season in 2023 as he did in 2022, but he still put up elite numbers with 3,608 passing yards and 24 touchdowns. 

While I don’t see him getting back the New England Patriots at No. 3 right now, there is always the possibility a top talented quarterback slides a bit depending on how they perform at the NFL Scouting Combine or NFL Draft prospect like Jayden Daniels ranks higher on team’s list.  That is already starting to happen as the Williams-Maye debate has turned into a Williams-Maye-Daniels debate.  With some comparisons to Eli Manning coming out of college, it would be poetic if Maye was there for the Giants at No. 6.

New York Giants in position to select their next elite wide receiver out of LSU?

Unlike the Washington Commanders and New England Patriots, the Giants at least have a quarterback in Daniel Jones they could ride with another year if one of the top 3 quarterbacks aren’t available.  Instead, they could decide to go the route of an elite playmaker at the wide receiver position.

With top prospect Marvin Harrison Jr expected to be off the board, the Giants will have their choice between LSU standout Malik Nabors, Washington’s Rome Odunze or Georgia tight end Brock Bowers.  USA Today’s latest mock draft has them going with Nabors who would be the most talents receiver the Giants have had since the days of Odell Beckham Jr., who happens to also be an LSU alum.

This is a big need for the Giants who lacked game-changing offensive weapons outside of Saquon Barkley and tight end Darren Waller in 2023.  With his extreme athletic ability, 6-foot-3 frame and speed, Nabors is one of those players who could make a quarterback like Jones look a lot better in 2024.

In selecting Nabers at No. 6, the Giants can use the rest of the draft to upgrade their offensive line and select a quarterback in the later rounds to push Jones. 

In the NFL Mocks latest draft, we do have the Giants going tackle at No. 6 with Penn State’s Olumuyiwa Fashanu, but talents like Maye and Nabers may be too good to pass up.  Best bet is on Nabers.