The 2024 Patriots were lacking in several key positions. This was well reflected in the dismal 4-13 showing and the team's second consecutive last-place finish in the AFC East. Mike Vrabel signed on knowing full well that he needed a massive upgrade of his roster, and he acted accordingly.
With years of experience, not only as an NFL Coach of the Year but also as a veteran participant in NFL personnel administration, Mike Vrabel attacked the 2025 offseason like a man on a mission. Armed with that knowledge, he conducted arguably the best offseason in Patriots history.
One position that ranked among the worst, and there were several, was the edge. It's a position Vrabel is well familiar with, having played as an edge or defensive end during his long NFL career. He moved early to add an edge, who is a bona fide NFL pass rusher in Harold Landry III.
He played for Vrabel for five seasons in Tennessee. It was an astute signing, but Pro Football Focus doesn't highly rate Landry in their rankings of NFL edge players. He didn't even appear on their list of the top 32 in the NFL.
PFF snubs Harold Landry III in 2025's list of best EDGE defenders
PFF fails to recognize Landry's ability
Harold Landry II has been a reliable NFL edge rusher since entering the league in 2018. The just turned 29-year-old, 6'2", 252-pound Landry has been a consistent NFL sack artist. He has notched 50.5 sacks over his NFL career's six seasons. That's an eight-plus per season average. Yet, on Pro Football Focus's (PFF) 2025 list of the NFL's best edge defenders, Landry is nowhere to be found.
Landry is far and away the Patriots' best pass rusher. No one on the current roster even approximates his sack production totals, and no Patriots player is likely to get more sacks in 2025. Vrabel knew exactly what he was getting from Landry and wasted no time in bringing him aboard.
In 2024, Landry had 71 total stops, with 15 tackles for loss, 15 quarterback hits, and nine all-important sacks to go along with four passes defended and a safety. Those are solid stats, and Landry will be a massive upgrade over 2024'st edge players. But what about that list?
PFF did the Patriots a favor by leaving Landry off their list
It's always nice to see your team's players get the recognition they deserve, and it can be annoying if they don't. Some terrific players populate Landry's position, as PFF's list will attest. Landry isn't on it yet, but that may be advantageous for Vrabel and the Patriots.
Landry knows Vrabel's attacking defense like the back of his hand, and the Coach will expect him to be a defensive leader, setting the tone for everyone else on the defense to ensure it's properly implemented. Vrabel needs double-digit sacks from Landry, and PFF's snub might just provide the extra motivation to inspire him to do just that.
Players with talent like to have their achievements recognized. Patriot Nation should be grateful to PFF for the slight. Harold Landry III is an outstanding NFL player, and he'll be out for bear in 2025 to prove PFF wrong. Racking up 15 sacks might be just the way to do it.