A major weakness from the Patriots' 2025 season appears to be carrying into this year, as the defensive line remains one of the more problematic groups on the current roster, despite additions through free agency and the NFL Draft.
Selecting pass rusher Gabe Jacas in the second round was a solid move, and he is projected to have a high ceiling after already showing a lot of potential so far. But he spent most of the offseason away from the team, waiting to show up in Foxboro until he finally signed his contract earlier this month, meaning he's much further behind than anyone hoped for at this stage of the offseason.
It certainly doesn't help that their main pass rusher, Harold Landry III, has also been away for months, as he continues to rehab from an injury that required surgery earlier this year.
On top of that, not much has been said about Dre'Mont Jones, the free agent who was signed to replace K'Lavon Chaisson, who signed with the Commanders in free agency. As last season's second-best pass rusher, losing him was deemed a major loss at the time, and it's already proving to be a loss now.
That means the Patriots should be in the market for more help ahead of Week 1, whether that's by signing one of the remaining free agents or taking advantage of the players who will inevitably be cut for one reason or another.
The Cowboys are a team they should pay close attention to, as they are the brink of making some brutal cuts to an overcrowded edge room that could give the Patriots their next promising addition.
The Cowboys might have the Patriots' next defensive signing on the brink of being cut
Although he's a bit unproven and won't be the superstar help many Patriots fans are hoping for, 27-year-old James Houston is currently fighting for a spot on the Cowboys' roster in what has become a crowded linebacker/defensive end room since Von Miller signed with the team last week.
Houston has been in Dallas for just one season, spending much of his career under the radar with the Lions. But his first season as a 17-game player (not a starter) saw him record the best year of his career so far, recording 35 combined tackles, 6 for a loss, 15 quarterback hits, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery, and 5.5 sacks.
It's not a stat line that'll blow anyone away, but at this point, the Patriots can't be super picky about who they bring in.
There aren't many free agents that are all that intriguing, beyond reuniting with Kyle Van Noy, who had a standout few years with the Ravens, or Bobby Wagner, who doesn't fit what Mike Vrabel is trying to build with their roster due to his age.
Both have missed training camp and haven't trained with any team all offseason, so there's certainly a risk in signing either of them. But if Eliot Wolf and Co. don't plan to steal anyone after roster cuts, then their best bet would be to inquire about either veteran.
Their best bet might be to seriously consider Houston, who could thrive in a new system with proven coaches and solid mentors to learn from. It's a vulnerable group that cannot be ignored going into Week 1, or they'll face frustrating issues that derail their Super Bowl hopes all season long.
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