Rumors Heat Up As NFL Draft Nears: Does Aiyuk Get Moved? Will Giants Make a Play For Maye?
DETROIT – The Cincinnati Bengals and San Francisco 49ers have been here before. They've gone into previous NFL draft nights with veteran stars on their rosters that want and hope to be traded.
Last year, the Bengals had offensive tackle Jonah Williams wanting to be moved after a trade request and the 49ers had Deebo Samuel on the roster wanting a trade. Both wanted or expected a trade because they were in the final years of their contracts and thought not enough was being done to retain them.
Well, both stayed with their teams – because good teams find it hard getting rid of good players.
So here we are, hours before the first round of the 2024 draft and the 49ers have receiver Brandon Aiyuk more than willing to be traded while the Bengals have both receiver Tee Higgins and defensive end Trey Hendrickson asking for trades.
Hendrickson, in fact, is even threatening retirement.
ATLANTA, GEORGIA - OCTOBER 16: Brandon Aiyuk #11 of the San Francisco 49ers reacts after scoring a touchdown during the second quarter against the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on October 16, 2022 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)
Brandon Aiyuk Wouldn't Mind Moving
All three players are under contract for 2024. All want new contracts.
And that leaves the Bengals and the 49ers with some options, but likely one that sticks out above the rest: It's hard to trade away talent – even when you want to.
For the record, neither the Bengals nor the 49ers want to trade away any of these three players. They believe it's dumb to move on from proven, outstanding players in exchange for a draft pick that isn't a premium pick.
The other obstacle is anyone considering a trade for Higgins, Hendrickson, or Aiyuk would have to be comfortable giving up significant draft compensation and then paying a significant salary in the form of a new contract.
That's a lot to ask for one player and most teams cannot stomach doing both.
So you have two reluctant teams holding on to players. And you have interested teams that probably need or want some sort of draft compensation discount.
It makes trading at this high level very difficult. It's the reason it rarely happens. It's one reason the Bengals and Niners didn't do it last year.
And they could have a hard time doing it Thursday night.
MIAMI GARDENS, FL - OCTOBER 08: North Carolina quarterback Drake Maye (10) passes in the third quarter as the University of Miami Hurricanes faced the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Tar Heels on October 8, 2022, at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Samuel Lewis/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Giants Love Of Drake Maye Is Real
I outlined in my one and only mock draft how the New York Giants were looking at Drake Maye as their first-round target, preferably at No. 6 but more likely needing to trade up to get him.
Well, they've called the New England Patriots, according to sources, about – you guessed it – moving up to select a QB believed to be Drake Maye.
This says stuff:
The pre-draft criticism of Maye that has echoed endlessly the last month fell on deaf ears with the Giants.
The Giants understand that perhaps they can do better than Daniel Jones – something they'll vehemently deny if they don't land a quarterback.
It's going to be hard for the Patriots to trade away their pick because they need a quarterback, perhaps more so than the Giants. And they also have designs on Drake Maye.
The only way this works is if the Patriots equally value J.J. McCarthy, which is hard to believe because the physical traits of each player.
The greater point which remains valid is the Giants obviously like Daniel Jones as their future quarterback but only to the degree they cannot pick Dake Maye.
ATLANTA, GEORGIA - DECEMBER 31: Marvin Harrison Jr. #18 of the Ohio State Buckeyes celebrates after a touchdown during the second quarter in the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on December 31, 2022 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)
Cardinals Locked On Marvin Harrison Jr?
The Cardinals have been working a dual path in this draft: They fully intend on getting help for quarterback Kyler Murray to raise the offense to high standards. And they're willing to trade their pick – for the right price – as long as they get the players they want.
The player they have graded highest, according to whispers out of this town, is Marvin Harrison Jr.
He's the guy.
"The Cardinals want the best receiver in the draft and they intend to get him," one source told OutKick.
The question becomes whether trading down would end Arizona's opportunity to pick Harrison.
"You never say never," the source said, "but my sense is it would take an unprecedented offer to move Arizona so far down as to put them out of Marvin Harrison range. The Cardinals want Marvin Harrison by the end of the night."
Philadelphia Eagles General Manager Howie Roseman. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
Making, Taking Calls
There are two types of teams in the hours before the draft:
Teams making calls.
Teams taking calls.
So which are which?
Making calls, per sources: The Giants, as previously discussed … The Eagles want to move up … The Broncos wouldn't mind moving down … the Raiders are open to moving, but it sounds a lot like due diligence.
Taking calls: The Bears, and no, not about the No. 1 overall pick but about the No. 9 overall selection as a possible trade down option … The Patriots but nothing super serious at time of publication … The Cardinals, as previously discussed … The Chargers, although not a ton yet, but if J.J. McCarthy is available at No. 5, they'll be busy.