The Patriots’ 2025 class featured an impressive eleven selections, the joint most in the NFL. While the priority was offense through the first four selections, the Patriots dipped their toe into the defensive side of the ball with their first three picks on day three.
The first of the three was Cal safety Craig Woodson, and the last of the three was LSU edge defender Bradyn Swinson. While each has gotten their flowers for their collegiate play and potential impact on the Patriots' defense in 2025, the second of the three selections has flown more under the radar.
FSU defensive tackle Joshua Farmer wasn’t an ordinary selection for the Patriots; the team traded up for him, sending a pair of later picks to the Seahawks to trade up for the interior disruptor.
The Patriots' defensive tackles are excellent — but they have their flaws
The Patriots' pass rush and run defense were poor last season. If you want to blame it on Jerod Mayo or DeMarcus Covington, fine, but the unit was near talentless. Davon Godchaux ate up more cap than blocks, and while a solid rotational piece, Daniel Ekuale being a procuring cause to almost all interior pressure was very concerning.
Vrabel and company made it their mission to fix the unit, signing Milton Williams to the largest contract in team history. Khyiris Tonga was brought in as a cheaper replacement for Davon Godchaux, and they also re-signed Jeremiah Pharms alongside Farmer’s addition. The team will also see the return of their $92 million man, Christian Barmore, after he played just two games last year.
There’s reason to be excited about the group, no doubt. Williams and Barmore are a fearsome pair, Tonga is an experienced backup, and Pharms has shown some solid ability in limited time. So, where exactly could Farmer make his impact felt?
Working down the list, we can put an asterisk on every player mentioned. While I expect Williams to continue the stellar performance he showed in Philly, he’s never been the top pass rusher on his team, something he’ll be responsible for in New England. At worst, he’s option 1B to Barmore, who, as great as he was in 2023, hardly touched the field in 2024. Tonga is experienced, but is more of a proper nose tackle. Pharms is a sound backup, but the 28-year-old has waning upside.
Specifically, if Barmore is sidelined again or Pharms doesn’t continue his solid play from last season, I’d expect Farmer to have a chance rather quickly.
Mike Vrabel’s stylistic approach benefits Farmer
While the team addressed the edge this offseason through Harold Landry and K’Lavon Chaisson, neither has emerged as an option. Landry will get significant snaps, but looking at the Titans defense under Vrabel and Terrell Williams back in 2023, there were no objections to playing a heavy front. The Titans played in a very heavy base defense that featured four down linemen: 285-pound Denico Autry set the edge opposite 300-pound Kyle Peko, while the middle featured Jeffery Simmons and Teair Tart, the latter of whom weighs in at 315.
In the event of a strong camp, Farmer not only has the opportunity to become a featured backup but could force his way into being a featured player. A combination of Harold Landry and Keion White is likely to set the edges, but Williams and Barmore could be bounced outside, and Farmer could see some action on the interior.
He was celebrated as a pick, but Farmer has largely flown under the radar since signing his rookie contract. By the time he puts his pads on for the first preseason game, I think the chances of that under-the-radar status continuing are slim.