The New England Patriots have two players who belong in the league’s top tier, and now they’ve got the ranking to back it up.
Fansided’s Cody Williams and Jake Bakeman both included Drake Maye and Christian Gonzalez in their NFL Top 50, a nod that matches what the Patriots have seen on the field. Maye has already piled up a second-team All-Pro selection and two Pro Bowl appearances in two seasons. Gonzalez has added a second-team All-Pro honor and a Pro Bowl nod over the same stretch.
That kind of recognition matters because these aren’t just good players. They’re the kind of young stars teams build around. Maye is the centerpiece on offense, Gonzalez the anchor on defense, and both are viewed as long-term Patriots.
Bakeman and Williams made the case in no uncertain terms for Gonzalez.
"Watching Gonzalez is some of the most fun you'll have as a football fan. He has tremendous instincts and twitch to match up with that mental acuity, but he also adds his length and speed to the equation on top of that. He's the total package for a cornerback and makes good on it week in and week out for New England."
Maye’s praise came in even louder.
"Drake Maye is an MVP-caliber quarterback who took advantage of a pathetic schedule. He was throwing to a very much not-elite pass-catcher group, and he operated the offense with a brutal level of efficiency. Without him back there, that offense would’ve been highlighted by a 32-year-old Stefon Diggs...
Sacks stop drives, but when Maye got sacked, he would stand right back up the next play and get those yards back with a throw downfield. Up until that postseason stretch where he played three of the best defenses in the NFL back to back to back, the guy was unflappable.
Now he’s got A.J. Brown to throw to … So, get ready for more of the same, but better."
Whether those two Patriots were placed high enough is a separate debate. What isn’t up for debate is their standing in New England. If the Patriots are serious about keeping their best players in place, both Maye and Gonzalez are the kind of talents who should be rewarded with contract extensions that match their value.
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One possible fix would be a bold trade, with the kind of move that would instantly change the conversation around the front seven. If that kind of deal never materializes, the Patriots could still turn to the veteran market and look for a name like Jadeveon Clowney, but either path points to the same reality: this is a team that knows it has to add more juice off the edge and may not be done shopping yet. [Read more 🡒]