The Patriots were super-active in free agency. A key offensive target, left tackle, was ignored. The Patriots did sign a solid wide receiver, Stefon Diggs (assuming he remains healthy), but they still need one or two additional wide receivers. Conversely, the team was very aggressive on defense in free agency, their new Head Coach's forte.
Pro Football Focus (PFF) has noted the "positive takeaways" of every NFL team in free agency. As a premier NFL observer, PFF has a solid take on all things NFL, and its observations on the Patriots' free agency matter carry weight in the court of public opinion.
Here, we'll examine what PFF had to say about the Patriots' success in free agency. Then we'll explore what they may still need to do in the draft to bolster further this unit, which was top-shelf in 2023 but slipped significantly in 2024.
PFF highlights the Patriots' defensive additions as their most positive free agency takeaway
Unsurprisingly, PFF's take on the Patriots' free agency activity was similar to that of most other commentators. The team focused on the defensive side of the ball rather than the offense and did well. New Head Coach Mike Vrabel is a defensive coach, and first and foremost, he wants to shore up that side of the ball.
Here's what that prestigious outfit had to say about the Patriots' best free agency moves,
"New England decided to focus on its defense in free agency, and it seems they’ve built a stout unit. Milton Williams and Harold Landry III beef up a pass rush that already included Christian Barmore and Keion White. Linebacker Robert Spillane is one of the best run defenders in the NFL. Cornerback Carlton Davis III could combine with Christian Gonzalez to form one of the league’s more dangerous cornerback duos. The Patriots still need to find offensive assets for Drake Maye to work with, but they should be able to consistently make stops on defense."
In free agency, Vrabel made strides on each level of a defense that had regressed dramatically from the solid 2023 edition. He made no mistake about his goal in free agency: to transform the old Patriots' defense and recreate one that fits his system. He did just that.
On the defensive line, he added perhaps the premier free agent defensive tackle (DT) available, Milton Williams. He'll hopefully partner with a healthy Christian Barmore and Keion White. All are penetrating DTs who'll be pocket-collapsing menaces to the AFC East and other offenses they face. Vrabel would still be well-advised to add another young DT to the mix in the draft for depth purposes.
Harold Landry and K'Lavon Chaisson will step in and add fire to the edge room. They produce sacks, a scarce commodity on the Patriots' defense last season. The objective is speed and playmaking. Both will be significant upgrades over last year's players.
Patriots also beefed up the next two levels of the defense
At linebacker, Vrabel added two side-line-to-sideline versions in Robert Spillane and Jack Gibbens. They'll replace the slower, bigger linebackers. Jahlani Tavai, Anfernee Jennings, and, possibly Ja'Whaun Bentley (cited as a top trade asset by PFF) could be traded or released.
These changes represent a shift in defensive philosophy, shifting from the Belichickian read-and-react defense to one that penetrates, disrupts, and overwhelms. Spillane, Gibbens, and recently re-signed Christian Elliss will implement this strategy. Little will remain the same.
Adding to the upgrades on defense is cornerback Carlton Davis III. The Patriots lacked a top corner to complement Christian Gonzalez. They don't anymore. Davis is a second, lockdown corner who'll take the opposition's No. 2 receiver and shut him down. The Pats are set at starting cornerback. If they draft dual-threat Travis Hunter, they'll also field the best nickel back in the league.
That's the Patriots' current defensive situation. It's a promising one. They do need to draft a solid depth defensive tackle, though, since they may be thin at the position even after signing Williams. Expect Vrabel to draft one in April. It all could add up to a top-five defense once again in Foxborough. Coupled with better accompaniment for Drake Maye, it spells big trouble for the AFC East.