The New England Patriots aren’t exactly strangers to giving veterans a shot late in their careers—but one analyst believes there’s one future Hall of Famer still available who makes too much sense to ignore anymore.
In a recent piece for Pro Football Network, Mark Stolte picked one free agent every NFL team should still consider signing before the draft. For the New England Patriots, his pick was none other than Von Miller. The former Super Bowl MVP and longtime pass-rushing menace is still on the market after his underwhelming stint in Buffalo.
Miller may not be the elite edge presence he once was, but with New England still trying to fix its pass rush, Stolte sees a low-risk, high-upside opportunity.
Von Miller named ideal late signing for New England
That’s exactly why Stolte believes Miller is a smart fit for New England as they look to patch one of their biggest roster holes:
"The New England Patriots are in desperate need of pass rushers,” Stolte wrote. “They ranked 31st in the league last season in pressure rate and last in sack rate. While Von Miller isn’t what he used to be, a vet minimum deal for a guy who still has enough juice to be a rotational pass rusher is a good thing for New England.”
He’s not wrong. The Patriots managed just 28 sacks in 2024—dead last in the league.
Even after signing Harold Landry and Milton Williams, the edge room is still far from settled. Adding a proven veteran like Miller could be a way to buy time while the team builds its next wave of pass rushers through the draft.
With the Patriots holding picks at Nos. 4, 38, 69, and 77, they’re in a wicked good position to address both sides of the ball. Will Campbell and Armand Membou are in the mix early to solidify the O-line, but edge defenders like Mykel Williams (Georgia), Landon Jackson (Arkansas), and Jack Sawyer (Ohio State) could be intriguing on Day 2 or 3. Still, counting on rookies to produce right away is always risky—especially in a defense trying to rebound.
Miller’s age (36) and recent injury history are concerns, but the price tag wouldn’t be. He’d likely sign for the vet minimum (maybe sprinkle some incentive bonuses in there), and New England leads the league in cap space. This is exactly the kind of move a team with clear financial flexibility and a young QB on a rookie deal can afford to make.
And if Miller needed any extra reason to take New England’s call? It was a Week 18 sack on Drake Maye last season that earned him a $1.5 million bonus. One way or another, the Patriots have already helped Von Miller cash in. Now might be the perfect time for him to return the favor.