The new New England Patriots have wrapped up their offseason to a great extent and now await the start of summer camp and the real thing: football. A lot has happened since January 12, when owner Robert Kraft finally hired the right guy, Mike Vrabel.
Vrabel set about casting his own imprint on the team and how it was assembled. It was all Vrabel, all the time, as he moved quickly to shore up holes all over both his offense and defense, with special teams upgrades added as well.
There is a lot to be optimistic about on both sides of the ball. Glaring weaknesses have been addressed, and upgrades have been implemented at many positions. Two areas of importance that were problematic in 2024 and are now encouraging are the offensive and defensive lines.
A top Patriots analyst cites five key reasons for of optimism for the 2025 Patriots
One of the top Patriots writers, Karen Guregian of MassLive has commented on why these two units will be improved and should be encouraging to Patriot Nation. One is the Patriots' fourth overall draft pick, left tackle Will Campbell from LSU.
"Will Campbell, TreVeyon Henderson and undrafted rookie Efton Chisolm III have stood out in the early camps...While it’s too early to know if Campbell will be able to handle NFL pass rushers, his footwork is obvious.
While it’s too early to know if Campbell will be able to handle NFL pass rushers, his footwork is obvious. He held his own working against Keion White and K’Lavon Chaisson. He didn’t win every battle, but never looked overmatched against outside moves, or spin moves to the inside. If he got beaten, he worked to get better against that particular move the next time out...Also love how he’s embraced Morgan Moses’ offensive line tutorial sessions after workouts."
It's not too early to acknowledge that Campbell, even as a rookie, will be better than anyone who manned the left tackle spot in 2024. That group included two right tackles who'd never played much on the left and a sixth-round waiver wire pick-up. The results were eminently predictable. Campbell will exceed those low-level bars on Day One of the 2025 season.
The defensive front is also encouraging after an impressive transformation
Guregian realizes the Patriots have the makings of a fearsome defensive front.
"The group up front looks like it’s going to be a formidable force. Typically, Harold Landry, Christian (Christian) Barmore, Milton Williams, and Keion White represented the front-four on the first unit."
That group will be among the best in the league. Add one of K'Lavon Chaisson or rookie Bradyn Swinson to the other edge, and the Patriots will test any and every NFL offensive line to the utmost. There aren't enough blockers to deal with them all. Barmore, Williams, and White playing inside are as good a trio as there is in the NFL. And Landry will be the team's best pass-rusher since Matt Judon's monster 2022 season.
Guregian pointed out that the offensive line and the defensive front will be much improved over the 2024 versions. Campbell alone would do that on the offensive line, but adding right tackle, Morgan Moses, center, Garrett Bradbury, and rookie center/guard, Jared Wilson, to the mix enhances the upgrade.
Williams and Landry are huge, but fellow additions Robert Spillane and Carlton Davis III are also key players on the defensive front line. Add the monster upgrades in the coaching staff with Mike Vrabel leading the way and two capable coordinators in Josh McDaniels and Terrell Williams, and it all adds up to a playoff run in 2025.