PFF gets it right in their latest assessment of the Patriots and Drake Maye

There are few football media outlets with the prestige, esteem, and credibility of Pro Football Focus (PFF). For those of you non-stat geek types, they fill in the blanks on football that most of us either couldn't or maybe don't have time to develop. Whatever, they're at the top of the heap.

That's why their recent comment on the Patriots' first-round draft pick should hit home with supporters of the team's drafting UNC's dynamic, young quarterback Drake Maye with the third-overall pick in the NFL draft.

While other, even very astute media commentators may have thought trading that pick was a better option, the steadfast realized, and still do, that for Eliot Wolf and the new (and also much of the old) Patriots personnel department, it was absolutely the right thing to do.

Let's examine PFF's comments on the pick and evaluate why they make so much sense. We'll also delve into how that positive review might impact the Patriots' thinking as they approach summer camp and the only season that matters, the 2024 NFL season.

PFF makes it clear, the Pats did the right thing drafting Drake Maye

There was lots of media banter regarding whether the talent-deficient Pats should trade the valuable third-overall pick on the 2024 draft for more draft "capital" or sit tight and take the best quarterback available. In the end, the Pats did the right thing and selected Drake Maye, the last but by no means least of the remaining top three quarterbacks in the draft.

Here's what PFF has to say about that topic in their article, "Best 2024 NFL offseason decision by every AFC team".

"The Patriots likely had a king’s ransom of trade packages to choose from to move down from the No. 3 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. They did the right thing by standing pat with their selection, however, and taking their quarterback of the future in Drake Maye.

Yes, the roster isn’t good enough around the rookie to truly compete, but if a quarterback-needy team believes a prospect can be a franchise quarterback, you draft them — end of story."

PFF hit the ball out of the park with maybe an exception or two. But their main point was this: if you need a quarterback, have a high enough pick to get a really good one (let's say, at least according to the "consensus"), then, as they put it (been said here before), "They did the right thing..."

The Patriots did exactly that. They had no quarterback, though they did spend $8M on backup, journeyman Jacoby Brissett (money that could have/should have been spent on a No. One wide receiver, perhaps?)

Regardless, they needed a quarterback upon whom to build (as owner Robert Kraft had strongly suggested), and they did what they needed to do. Not only did they fill the most glaring and important position on the roster, but de facto, at the time, personnel head Eliot Wolf also fulfilled his boss's wishes. Now, with PFF's sanction, things are looking up. Maybe. Let's discuss the "maybe".

At Quarterback, things have fallen into place ... if the Patriots do the right thing

Eliot Wolf knocked the proverbial ball out of the park, or more appropriately, through the uprights from 65 yards out with his first draft pick ever. Drake Maye checked all the boxes of the right pick for the right team at the right time. So what could go wrong?

It's not a foreign theme in this space, but it warrants repeating, especially after PFF's cogent commentary. When your team needs a quarterback, the most important position on the team, and you get a top one in the draft, the only thing to do is play the young man.

Broken record notwithstanding, Drake Maye's education as an NFL football player should come on the field, not on the bench. The Patriots lacked top quarterback play in 2023; their 4-13 record reflected that. They now have a terrific young QB on the roster, and they should utilize him.

Whatever other deficiencies the offense has, e.g., not having a true left tackle, Maye needs to play. If he has the "right stuff," he'll ultimately succeed. He may take his lumps at first due to faulty personnel decisions by Eliot Wolf and company, but if he has what it takes, he will adapt.

It's time for the Patriots' new team, Wolf, and Head Coach, Jerod Mayo, to step up and make the right decision. That decision is, to start Drake Maye, and let the chips fall where they ... may (no pun intended). It's a major league decision in a major league. And frankly, it's the only sensible one to make.

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