Mike Vrabel moved to shore up his defense first in free agency. There was no shock there. He's a defensive coach first and foremost. Not that he neglected his offense. Both in free agency and the draft, Vrabel added multiple offensive players, all of whom are upgrades over the 2024 versions.
The topic is the defense and how it might perform in 2025 after multiple additions and subtractions have given it a whole new identity. Vrabel has revamped the D into one that more fits his persona, an attacking, upfield style that could jumpstart a Patriots' dash right into the 2025 playoffs.
A recent ranking of the Patriots' defense by the very well-respected Bleacher Report took a dim view of the revamped Patriots' defense, which was not especially flattering to Vrabel's major offseason moves on defense. We'll look at their ranking and then point out how and why the Patriots may just turn it upside down and shock everyone.
Why the Patriots' defense could shock us and be far better than predicted
Patriots defense has a gloomy 2025 prediction
Gary Davenport of Bleacher Report ranked the Patriots' upcoming 2025 defense as the 25th worst in the NFL. It's not exactly a ringing endorsement of Vrabel's restructuring. While they think the defense could be significantly improved, that's hardly a compliment if they're still ranked near the bottom of the NFL pile.
"The New England Patriots were better on defense than offense last year, but that isn’t saying a lot. They ranked outside the top 20 in most statistical categories and fielded the most punchless pass rush in the league.
However, while there were multiple additions, there are also several questions. Landry is the only proven edge-rusher on the roster. The inside linebacker spot next to Spillane is uncertain. Young cornerback Christian Gonzalez has flashed at times but also has durability issues.
But the success (or lack thereof) of the team's new-look pass rush will go a long way toward determining just how improved they truly are."
The gist was that they spent a lot of money on defense, but the pass rush may still be suspect and will be the determining factor in their season. They indeed did spend a lot of cap money on defense and, in the process, achieved their objective, upgrading each of the three levels of their defense. Let's explore why the Pats' defense may turn this gloomy prediction on its head and shock us in 2025.
Patriots improved dramatically across the front of the defense
With key additions like free agent defensive tackles, Milton Williams, and rookie Joshua Farmer, the Patriots bolstered the defensive tackle position significantly. They added to a hopefully fully healthy star, Christian Barmore, and if played at DT, a ferocious pocket-collapser in his own right, Keion White, to present an interior D-line as good as it gets in the NFL.
In addition, the Patriots revamped their listless edge position. They added three productive edge players, Harold Landry III, K'Lavon Chaisson, and draftee, sackman Bradyn Swinson, as well as re-signing Christian Elliss, who can also play on the edge. All are playmakers who'll rack up sacks after the pocket gets collapsed. The three new guys are clear upgrades over their 2024 counterparts.
At linebacker, Vrabel added tackling machine Robert Spillane and Jack Gibbens, both faster and more dynamic players than those they'll replace, to the versatile Elliss. They'll clean up after the frontline players on the second level. Behind them will be emerging star, All-Pro Christian Gonzalez, and new guy, top cornerback Carlton Davis III, two lockdown cornerbacks.
Those are eight new defensive players (plus Elliss), all of whom can, at a minimum, contribute significantly, and at best be far more productive than the 2024 players they'll replace. Adding six productive NFL veterans, plus two third-round rated rookies, to last year's defense bodes well for the Patriots' D.
Expect it to exceed expectations and maybe even shock Patriot Nation and the NFL in the process. We'll see. That's why they play the games.