The Patriots' defensive line is expected to be among the most improved of any position group. The team made several impressive additions in the offseason, headlined by Milton Williams. The team additionally added Khyiris Tonga, re-signed Jeremiah Pharms, and drafted Joshua Farmer in the fourth round. Most importantly, one of their own is back and healthy: Christian Barmore, who played just two games last year due to health concerns, will return to the field in 2025.
A defensive line spearheaded by Williams and Barmore is impressive, and with veterans like Tonga and Pharms behind them, the team is offered some additional experience. Farmer will have the opportunity to work in. While a hybrid IDL and edge player, Keion White also plays across the defensive line. He opened last season with four sacks and a forced fumble in the first two games.
Despite the impressive state of the position, the Patriots may not be done yet. With the release of former Clemson and Miami Dolphins star Christian Wilkins on Thursday, Vrabel and company have yet another chance to bolster the unit.
Why did the Raiders release Christian Wilkins after awarding him a massive contract?
Mike Vrabel was, of course, asked about Wilkins' release when speaking to reporters on Friday and didn't shut down the Patriots possible interest in signing him.
Mike Vrabel tells the media before practice that he thinks they’ll “have a conversation” about signing Christian Wilkins:
— Tom Carroll (@yaboiTCfresh) July 25, 2025
“…I’ve known Christian, recruited him when he was up here in the area in Connecticut going to high school, so I’m sure we’ll have a conversation about it.”… pic.twitter.com/xTOXNkt5eH
Wilkins, 29, attended Suffield Academy in Suffield, CT, and is a native of Springfield, MA. He has ties to the area, and, according to Mass Live's Gage Nutter, grew up a "die-hard Patriots fan." He is also quoted in the article saying, “It’s no secret, I was the biggest, die-hard fan of [the Patriots]”.
His release came as a surprise to fans across the NFL. Last offseason, he put pen to paper on a four-year deal worth $110 million with the Las Vegas Raiders after five successful years with the Dolphins. With Vrabel in New England and hopes high for the team, Wilkins could certainly be interested.
Despite managing just two sacks last season, he continued to be the steady run defender he's been throughout his career. Last season, he graded out to be the third-best interior defender against the run, according to PFF. It was the third time in his six-year career that he had graded out as one of the top three in the category.
The issue with Wilkins this past season was injury-related. He played just 246 snaps after sustaining a foot injury that kept him out from Week 6 until the end of the year.
Christian Wilkins would be a welcome surplus in Foxborough
A player coming off a season-ending injury always lends itself to tough contracts to gauge. The talent is there certainly, but will he be available? Whether he is or not, I wouldn't expect the Patriots or any team to pursue a long-term deal.
A one-year, possibly two-year deal seems most likely. The expectation should also be that the base money is more standard, with huge incentive value. Perhaps $8-10 million in base pay, worth up to $17-20 million or so? If Wilkins is healthy and available, someone of his caliber will have little issue securing incentives. If he isn't, his pay is lower, and the Patriots pay an expensive but worthy scratch ticket.
Other than Wilkins' ties to the region and New England's high hopes for 2025, he'd have the opportunity to be a contributor on a truly fantastic defensive line. A trio of Williams, Barmore, and Wilkins, with White rotating in, is formidable. It would also give the Patriots flexibility to play their typical 4-2-5 with absolute confidence. Barmore and Wilkins would occupy the middle, while Williams could push outside with White.
There's no doubt there will be significant competition for a player who was one of the hottest free agents on the market last time around, but the Patriots may have an inside track to sign the former Clemson star. Given their $60 million in cap space, they have the opportunity to continue the construction of one of the best defensive lines in football.