While the Patriots have improved defensively, a significant portion of their cap room in 2025 is allocated to the interior defensive line. Milton Williams just signed the richest contract in team history, and Christian Barmore is on the books for over $14 million.
Jeremiah Pharms re-signed, the team added Khyiris Tonga, and they selected Joshua Farmer in the fourth round.
On the edge, additions were lesser but were still made. Harold Landry reunites with Mike Vrabel, and former first-round pick K'Lavon Chaisson inked a one-year deal. The team also snagged LSU's leading sack getter in the fifth round, Bradyn Swinson. While it is a better group than last year, it could still use some reinforcements. NFL.com's Kevin Patra suggests a reinforcement could be Jadeveon Clowney, 2014's No. 1 overall pick.
The Patriots might want to add a proven talent to their pass rusher depth before the 2025 season begins
Jadeveon Clowney spent 2024 with the Panthers and has been something of a journeyman since leaving the Texans via trade in 2019. He's also spent time with the Seahawks, Titans, Browns, and Ravens. Last year under Dave Canales, he notched 5.5 sacks.
Aging and not an elite quarterback hunter, what could be Clowney's use?
His greatness comes in his run-stopping: you don't earn nearly $100 million in a career for being a subpar run stopper. His PFF run defense grade has never dropped below a 62.8 in his decade-long career, and with the pressure sure to come from the interior, elite edge setters will come in handy with keeping scrambling quarterbacks and running backs to the outside.
With Chaisson a backup-level player and Swinson a rookie, Clowney offers a more steady running mate to Landry and Anfernee Jennings. When he played under Vrabel's Titans in 2020, he had a solid 74.9 overall grade. If he can recapture that play in New England, it would certainly justify a one-year deal.
While the edge defenders are in a better place than last year, the addition of Clowney should be welcomed.