New England Patriots - NESN.com
The New England Patriots could lean on a stout unit throughout the 2025 NFL season.
Even in a four-win season, the Patriots ranked 10th in passing defense and permitted the same yards per pass attempt (7.0) as the Kansas City Chiefs. Star cornerback Christian Gonzalez anchors a secondary that welcomes Carlton Davis on a three-year, $54 million contract.
One analyst graded the group highly among their contemporaries. John Kosko of Pro Football Focus ranked the Patriots as the NFL’s fifth-best secondary.
New England trailed four AFC adversaries in the Baltimore Ravens, Chiefs, Denver Broncos and Houston Texans.
“Budding star Christian Gonzalez leads the group after missing most of his rookie season in 2023,” Kosko wrote. “His 78.2 coverage grade last season was outstanding for a de facto rookie year, and the Patriots added Carlton Davis in the offseason to bolster the cornerback room. Jabrill Peppers has quietly put together a quality career, earning overall grades above 82.3 in each of the past two seasons. Dell Pettus also looks like an undrafted gem, excelling in PFF’s advanced coverage metrics and posting a 73.9 overall grade as a rookie.”
After missing all but four games of his rookie campaign, Gonzalez limited opponents to a 71.7 passer rating in coverage last season. The 23-year-old was recently ranked as the No. 84 player on the NFL’s Top 100 list.
Gonzalez will receive help from Davis, a former Super Bowl champion who compiled two interceptions and two fumble recoveries for the Detroit Lions last season. He allowed 42 completions on 76 targets as the primary defender.
Peppers returns for his fourth year with the Patriots after playing just six games last season. The former first-round pick will start at safety alongside Kyle Dugger, who has tallied 424 tackles in 74 games for New England since 2020.
Marcus Jones also contributed across the secondary last season, defending 10 passes with two fumble recoveries and a pick.
New England’s secondary will attempt to make an immediate impact when opening the 2025 season against the Las Vegas Raiders.
