The New England Patriots set out to remake their roster, and the first major effort was in free agency. The team, now led by a bona fide NFL head coach/GM Mike Vrabel, aced their first venture into a major offseason team-building exercise for the Patriots.
Vrabel attacked free agency with purpose. His primary focus was on defense, his forte. He initiated a major transformation to fit his system, and players have been signed and let go as a result. Some have been surprising, others not so much. Regardless, it's clear Vrabel is putting his own stamp on the 2025 Patriots for better or for worse.
Let's take a look at who the biggest winners are from this initial burst of free agency signings. Obviously, the players who signed big contracts are among those. Yet, in addition, others will ultimately benefit from the signings on the field.
Patriots' defense is the big free agency winner thus far
Mike Vrabel's signature goal in free agency was to add players who fit his new one-gap system. This system relies on mobile, smaller, quicker players who can roam from sideline to sideline to make plays. The team won in this makeover.
Vrabel added the arguably best penetrating defensive tackle available in Milton Williams. This star DT will turn 26 on April 6. He is just reaching his prime. Alongside Christian Barmore, who's hopefully fully healthy, and a correctly positioned Keion White, they form as good a trio of DTs as there is in the NFL.
Vrabel also signed two sideline-to-sideline linebackers in Robert Spillane and Jack Gibbens. Their signings will benefit the defensive line and backfield since they have the speed to not only mop up after a penetrating rush, but also to cover up if the play gets into the second level. Christian Gonzalez and newly signed corner Carlton Davis III will appreciate that.
On the edge, Vrabel has brought in two productive sackmen. Harold Landry and K'Lavon Chaisson can both get after the quarterback from the edge. After trading Matt Judon in 2024, no one else on the team could. It's a plus for both the first and third lines of defense that there will be that capability. Now, onto the offense.
Drake Maye is the biggest beneficiary of Mike Vrabel's offensive free-agency moves
Vrabel has centered on his defense in free agency; after all, he was a defensive star. Yet, he hasn't neglected the offense. While most of his signings are under-the-radar types, they all are upgrades over the 2024 versions, and that's what this offseason is all about.
In the team's weakest room, he added three bona fide NFL veterans to take over from the motley crew that manned the offensive trenches in 2024. Right tackle Morgan Moses, guard Wes Schweitzer, and center Garrett Bradbury are all improvements over the 2024 players at their respective positions. That's all good.
In addition, one of the biggest splashes of the offseason thus far is a familiar face, and a No. 1 NFL wide receiver if healthy. It's former Buffalo Bills standout receiver Stefon Diggs. Diggs may not be ready to go from the first game, but whenever he hits the field, the Patriots' receiver room will be enhanced by leaps and bounds.
Diggs is a seasoned pro, and while he'll turn 32 in November, if he's even at 80 percent of his usual ability, he's an immediate upgrade over any other Patriot receiver. The biggest beneficiary here will be Drake Maye. He'll have a receiver who can get separation and know what to do after the catch.
Another signing, wideout Mack Hollins, is also a good addition. Hollins has great size at 6-foot-4 and 221 pounds, and he's a clutch red-zone receiver. Added to Diggs, tight end Hunter Henry, and hopefully a draftee, Colorado's two-position superstar Travis Hunter, it will be a nightmare scenario for any NFL defense.
They are the biggest winners from Vrabel's first crack at free agency. He's done a lot to improve his team already. One pivotal position, left tackle, remains to be filled, along with other offensive playmakers. Yet, so far, so good for Vrabel's first Patriots offseason. If he keeps up the progress in the draft, the sky's the limit for the 2025 Patriots.