Daniel Jones Wasn't Happy Giants Tried To Upgrade From Their Injured, Middling Starting QB

Before the start of the April NFL draft, the New York Giants decided they'd like to add Drake Maye in the first round. He was their guy.

The Giants knew they weren't getting Caleb Williams, who ended up going No. 1 overall to the Chicago Bears. And the consensus on Jayden Daniels was he needed some work, but the Washington Commanders were likely going to pick him No. 2, anyway.

But Maye? He could be within reach. And Giants' evaluators loved his prototype size (6-4, 224 pounds), smarts, arm talent, competitiveness and, ultimately, his potential.

CHAPEL HILL, NORTH CAROLINA - NOVEMBER 11: Drake Maye #10 of the North Carolina Tar Heels reacts after rushing for a touchdown against the Duke Blue Devils during the game at Kenan Memorial Stadium on November 11, 2023 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. The Tar Heels won 47-45 in double overtime. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)

Maye Reminded Giants Of Josh Allen

Maye reminded some people within the organization of Josh Allen in some respects. And that's easy to see considering head coach Brian Daboll and general manager Joe Schoen were both with the Buffalo Bills when Allen was drafted and then developed into a star in Western New York.

So the Giants began plotting a course toward Maye as their first overall selection, realizing they would likely have to trade up to get the North Carolina quarterback.

The Giants engaged the Arizona Cardinals a bit. And engaged the New England Patriots a lot.

On draft day, the Giants made what a source characterized to OutKick as a "significant" offer to the Patriots to move up from their No. 6 overall slot to No. 3 overall. The offer included multiple first-round picks, plus other compensation.

The Patriots declined and eventually selected Maye. The Giants stuck at No. 6 then selected LSU receiver Malik Nabers, showing everyone they didn't value Michael Penix Jr., J.J. McCarthy and certainly not Bo Nix like they did Maye.

Feb 27, 2024; Indianapolis, IN, USA; New York Giants general manager Joe Schoen speaks during a press conference during the NFL Scouting Combine at Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Schoen Does Have Faith In Jones

Selecting Nabers also showed everyone the Giants preferred Daniel Jones to any of the remaining three QBs that were on the board.

And that also shows that what Schoen said before the draft was true: He does still have faith in Jones.

But Jones didn't quite see it that way at the time. Because he was not thrilled the Giants were doing all this work on replacing him and had a named candidate who they tried to hire for the job.

"I mean, I wasn’t fired up about it," Jones admitted to reporters on Thursday. "But I think that it’s part of it at this level and all I can do is focus on myself and getting healthy and playing the best football I can play and that I know I’m capable of playing. That’s my job and that's what I’m going to do."

Jones said he spent his time around the draft in a state of uncertainty.

"Yeah, I wasn't sure what was going to happen or how it was going to play out," Jones said. "I was just watching and waiting to see like everybody else."

EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY - OCTOBER 02: Daniel Jones #8 of the New York Giants is hit by Cameron Young #93 of the Seattle Seahawks during the second half at MetLife Stadium on October 02, 2023 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)

Daniel Jones Struggled In 2023 

And now it should begin to dawn on Jones that the regard he got from his team around the draft – that is, to repeat, they were looking to replace him – is exactly what he earned last season.

And if it bothered him not being "fired up" about that tenuous status, he needs to do something about it during the 2024 season. And that is to stay healthy and play well.

Jones did neither last season.

He injured his neck and then suffered an ACL tear in his right knee. He started only six games.

And it's perhaps harsh to expect one of a player's abilities to be durability. Everyone understands injuries happen, and they happened a lot to starting quarterbacks in 2023.

But everyone similarly concedes that plain ‘ole ability is more in a player’s control. And Jones didn't do too well on that front, either.

Jones threw 2 TD passes last season. He threw 6 interceptions.

His 70.5 passer rating was the lowest of his 5-year career.

And the Giants were 1-5 in the games he started.

Tommy DeVito celebrates with Wan'Dale Robinson at MetLife Stadium. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)

DeVito Was Better Than Jones

Third-string quarterback Tommy DeVito was better than Jones in almost every important metric by comparison. DeVito threw more TD passes and fewer interceptions. He had a higher passer rating than Jones.

And the Giants were 3-3 in games he started.

The third stringer was more effective than the starter.

So, you're darn tootin' the Giants looked for an upgrade to Jones at draft time. Yes, they signed him to a contract extension before the season. Yes, they still believed Jones could rise to the level of earning that pay.

But players who struggle, even those with some guaranteed money immunity early in new deals, have to earn their spot on the field to keep from being replaced.

So a final reminder to Jones: If you want to actually be "fired up" about the draft next year, play better this coming season.