Pats Pulpit
The New England Patriots got solid production out of their rebuilt edge group in 2025, but they still entered this year’s offseason with the plan of upgrading. They hoped to achieve that goal by adding two high-profile players in veteran free agent Dre’Mont Jones and second-round draft choice Gabe Jacas.
They were not the only edges added to the mix, though. The Patriots also signed some potential depth options, including one who joined the team after a successful tryout during rookie minicamp.
Name: Xavier Holmes
Position: Defensive edge/Outside linebacker
Jersey number: 58
Opening day age: 24 (4/16/2002)
Measurements: 6’2 1/4”, 252 lbs, 9 5/8” hand size, 32 3/4” arm length, 80” wingspan, 4.76s 40-yard dash, 7.34s 3-cone drill, 4.34s short shuttle, 29 1/2” vertical jump, 10’0” broad jump, 22 bench press reps, 4.96 Relative Athletic Score
NFL: New England Patriots (2026-) | College: Maine (2021-24), James Madison (2025)
Despite being a three-year captain and all-county selection at Clarksburg, MD, Holmes was rated a no-star recruit out of high school and received zero scholarship offers. He subsequently spent one year at Jireh Prep in Matthews, NC, before finding his way to the University of Maine in the summer of 2021.
He saw only limited action in his first two seasons with the Black Bears but picked up the pace in 2023 and 2024. As a result, he finished his career in Orono with 23 starts among 25 in-game appearances as well as 123 tackles, 8.5 sacks, three forced fumbles, forced recoveries, and an interception.
The second-team All-CAA selection opted to transfer to James Madison ahead of the 2025 season, adding 14 more games and six extra sacks to his college totals. After his senior campaign came to an end, he did not hear his name called in the NFL Draft but joined the Patriots as a rookie free agency signing two weeks later.
Strengths: Holmes stands out on tape because he plays with a hot motor and the effort coaches want to see. This allows him to stay alive even when initially stymied and makes him a productive pursuit player from the backside; he generally has a good feel for locating the football. He also brings a filled-out frame and decent length to the NFL, and plays with some good power. While not a true speed rusher, his lateral quickness allows him to be a factor on stunts. He additionally plays with active hands and knows how to time his rushes and, if unable to get home, his jumps.
Weaknesses: Holmes is neither the most awe-inspiring athlete nor a refined technician at this stage in his career; his wins oftentimes come courtesy of his effort rather than him doing the little things right. His hands, for example, are active but can be all over the place. He is not particularly bendy when running the arc around the offensive tackle and lacks the burst out of his stance to overwhelm blockers with speed; he...
