Giants GM Joe Schoen's failed plan to take Patriots' No. 3 pick revealed on Hard Knocks

New York Giants general manager Joe Schoen ended up bolstering Daniel Jones' offense with Malik Nabers instead of getting in prime position to replace him. It appeared he was interested in getting into the top three of the 2024 NFL Draft via a trade with the AFC, but ultimately kept their pick.

In a clip of "Hard Knocks" posted by Talkin' Giants on July 9, Schoen is seen laying out his plan to speak with the New England Patriots de facto general manager Eliot Wolf at the Combine. Not only that but "Hard Knocks" mics were able to pick up the direct conversation between the two about the Giants moving up to three.

"[00:00:37] If you just do this for me, if you guys are going to do anything at three, like, move out, at all, again, You don't need to tell me your plan or anything, but if you have any inkling, just call me," Schoen said to Wolf.

Of course, the Patriots did not call. At least, they didn't have a productive conversation if they did. The team stood pat at third overall and drafted Drake Maye. However, had a trade been made, the Giants would have been able to get the quarterback.

Which players did Giants GM Joe Schoen miss out on by staying at No. 6?

Joe Schoen at 2024 NFL Combine (getty)

The New York Giants missed out on only three spots but might have missed three different superstar players as well. By staying at six overall, the Giants missed out on quarterback Drake Maye, wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr., and offensive tackle Joe Alt.

One can only speculate about which of those players Joe Schoen was dead set on, but at least two of those players made sense for the team to move up. The Giants, in drafting Malik Nabers, clearly were interested in a wide receiver. Marvin Harrison Jr. was undoubtedly the most hyped-up player coming out of college at the position.

As such, a move up might have been worth it in the eyes of Joe Schoen. However, moving up for a lineman would be nearly unprecedented at the top of the draft. As such, if the Giants had moved into the third overall spot, many would argue they did so to draft a new signal caller, considering the premium price of owning a higher pick in the draft.

However, Joe Schoen did end up skipping out on J.J. McCarthy, Bo Nix, and Michael Penix Jr. by selecting Malik Nabers. Will that decision haunt him?