Pats Pulpit
Notes on the Patriots’ defense, interest from the CFL, and more.
The NFL is in its slowest period, but that does not mean there is nothing to talk about when it comes to the league and the New England Patriots. Granted, the exciting days of training camp are still a few weeks away, but the pro football world still does not keep spinning.
So, with that said, let’s clean out the notebook from the week that was. Welcome to the latest edition of our Sunday Patriots Notes.
When forecasting what must go right for the New England Patriots to take a step forward as a team this season, much of the focus naturally shifts to the offensive side of the football.
Josh McDaniels is back on the sideline to coordinate the unit. One of the league’s worst offensive lines has been remodeled — highlighted by adding No. 4 overall pick Will Campbell at left tackle. Stefon Diggs headlines a new-look group of pass catchers. Then the most important: Drake Maye ready to take a step forward in Year 2.
But, it’s also important to not overlook the defensive side of the football.
While New England’s defense battled injuries last season, the unit fell off drastically ending the year ranked 30th in DVOA and 22nd in scoring defense (24.5 PPG). A turnaround on that side of the football will also be key toward getting back to the playoffs, and the first steps towards that goal came this offseason in free agency.
Entering free agency with a league-high amount of cap space, New England made key investment to add a quick influx of talent to their defense. That included cornerback Carlton Davis and linebacker Robert Spillane before landing perhaps the biggest fish in all of free agency in Milton Williams — signing the defensive tackle to a four-year, $104 million contract.
All three players are now projected to make key impacts along all three levels, and are not the only additions as well. It’s part of a makeover that led The Athletic’s Ted Nguyen to naming the Patriots’ defense a unit that could breakout in 2025.
“The Patriots just had one of their worst defensive seasons since at least 1999. The 2024 defense had the worst defensive expected points added per drive for the franchise since 1999, the furthest I can go back for EPA stats,” Nguyen wrote in 5 defenses primed to break out*. “*That’s bleak, but the Patriots defense could make a major bounce back this season thanks to major free-agent acquisitions, a new defensive coordinator, and more importantly, the return of defensive tackle Christian Barmore.”
Up front, Williams will join forces with a now healthy Barmore which could create one of the more disruptive interior duos in football. They’ll then be anchored by Keion White and fellow free agent additions Harold Landry and K’Lavon Chaisson along the edges.
As the cerebral Spillane will then hold down the second-level behind them, the addition of Davis to pair...
