Former Giants star advising North Carolina's Drake Maye before NFL Draft

North Carolina quarterback Drake Maye has connected with a former Giants star before the NFL Draft, and that could pique New York's interest. The 21-year-old revealed that Eli Manning, who starred for New York from 2004-19, is advising him before the draft in April.

"I've been working with Eli throughout the process, getting on Zooms and talking football with him," Maye said, via Mark Cannizzaro of The New York Post. "I'm working out in Mobile, Alabama, and his backup quarterback in college was Dave Morris, and he's training me for the draft. Pretty small world. And I was at the Manning Camp this summer, so I got to see Eli and Peyton."

The Giants have the sixth overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, within range to take a QB. Daniel Jones threw two TDs and six interceptions in six games and suffered a season-ending ACL tear in Week 9 against the Las Vegas Raiders.

Giants general manager Joe Schoen recently indicated Jones will be the starter when training camp starts, but he's also mulling taking a QB, per Connor Hughes of SNY-TV in New York.  

Manning isn't a front-office member, but he could influence the Giants' decision if they seek his input. He's a two-time Super Bowl champion and set a franchise record for passing TDs (399).

Maye, meanwhile, is a highly touted prospect. ESPN draft expert Jordan Reid recently rated him as the second-best QB in the 2024 class behind Southern Cal's Caleb Williams. In three seasons with the Tar Heels, he completed 64.9 percent of his passes for 63 TDs and an above-average 154.1 passer rating.

Clearly, New York doesn't feel confident about Jones' future. Looking into Maye is smart, and if the Giants select him in the draft, it doesn't seem like an unreasonable choice.