Patriots Pursuit Of Maxx Crosby Could Be Huge Mistake originally appeared on NESN. Add NESN as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
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The New England Patriots are believed by many to be firmly planted in the race for Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby.
And I’ll lead with this: There are very few players like Crosby in the NFL. He is a top-five edge rusher with a legitimate claim for a top-three nod.
However, a top-three edge rusher does not come cheap.
You know what does come cheap? Rookie defensive ends.
In the NFL, all first-round draft picks' contracts are fully set by the league based on the salary cap and draft position. This year’s 31st overall pick is set to make just over $16 million over the next four years, regardless of who it is.
The same can be said for a wide receiver. However, as we Patriots fans know all too well, drafting a wide receiver is a lot easier said than done.
I am of the belief that, in nearly all scenarios, it is better to draft your defense and pay your offense.
This is especially true in head coach Mike Vrabel’s system. It is much easier to identify athletes whose traits fit the team's needs and teach them the system than it is to evaluate which college prospects will be able to create separation at the next level.
I would much rather see New England use the more than $35 million they would be spending on Crosby to get quarterback Drake Maye a proven NFL wide receiver (or two) and another offensive line piece.
With the team’s current position in the first round of the NFL Draft, they will be selecting a slam-dunk defensive end prospect in a deep edge rusher class. The same can not be said in a top-heavy wide receiver year.
Crosby is a gamebreaker, but I believe in Vrabel and his staff’s ability to get the best out of lesser-valued pieces.