Giants going all-in for J.J. McCarthy over Drake Maye makes more sense than you think

With the New York Giants putting their finishing touches on a successful 2024 free agency, all eyes are on how the team will navigate the upcoming NFL Draft. While there are still several large holes to fill throughout the roster, most notably being at wide receiver, many analysts are starting to think that the Giants will do everything they can to draft Daniel Jones' replacement this April.

Upon first look, this year's draft seemed to be a three-headed monster at the QB position. With many mock drafts predicting Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels, and Drake Maye to be the first three picks, the Giants are in a bit of a gray area at No. 6 overall. However, there's one name that continues to receive buzz...

The Giants are reportedly high on Michigan QB J.J. McCarthy

Following an impressive NFL Combine, front offices across the league have quickly fallen in love with Michigan's J.J. McCarthy. Fresh off a National Championship season for the Wolverines, while his numbers don't necessarily jump off the page, McCarthy looks like a future NFL stud. During his college career, he proved he was capable of managing games and won when it mattered most.

At the outset of the offseason, Giants' fans became enamored with the idea of trading up to the No. 3 slot and grabbing Maye, a player with a low floor, but Justin Herbert-level upside. On the flip side, while McCarthy may not have the same ceiling as Maye, many NFL scouts see McCarthy coming into the NFL and immediately being effective at the helm. It's clear that the Giants would be wise to stick with their No. 6 overall selection and grab McCarthy if he is still available.

In today's NFL, it's easy to fall head over heels for prospects with vast capabilities, but taking a proven entity seems much wiser for the current Giants team. McCarthy has drawn comparisons to San Francisco 49ers QB Brock Purdy, who, despite not wowing anyone with athleticism or arm talent, is a proven winner who knows how to put his team in a position for success. Some could even relate this style of play to a Giants legend, Eli Manning.

Also, drafting Maye would not come without additional costs. Under the assumption the Giants would need to trade up to No. 3 overall to grab Maye, the Giants would also likely part ways with at least one high-value draft pick in the future. Betting on an unproven asset is risky -- giving up an additional pick to do so seems foolish.

All in all, the Giants have a franchise-altering decision on the horizon in late April. Recent reports share that the Minnesota Vikings are one of several teams enamored with McCarthy, so the Giants must be aggressive in pursuing a new signal caller. Whether they decide to take a quarterback or not, Schoen must strike gold with their first-round selection, as the Giants are hoping to get back to the playoffs next winter.