The New England Patriots' defense has been among the best in football this year, but for the next few games, they'll be without their highest-paid player in franchise history: Milton Williams. The defensive tackle was signed after an excellent 2024 with the Eagles in a rotational role to become the latest centerpiece of the Patriots' revamped roster.
The Louisiana Tech standout had two sacks in the Super Bowl, catapulting him atop free agency charts. After he originally was slated to sign with the Panthers, the Patriots undercut the deal and landed him for Vrabel's defense.
He's been a game wrecker for them, playing over 400 snaps and recording 26 pressures and four sacks, including a game-clinching fourth-down effort against the Dolphins in Week 2 that saw the Patriots beat Tua Tagovailoa for the first time.
Williams has lived up to the billing of being a top defensive tackle in the league, and combined with Christian Barmore and Khyiris Tonga, has anchored the best run defense in the league. With a high ankle sprain, the Patriots will need to find other players who can step up in his absence.
The Patriots will need players to step up with Milton Williams out
Robert Spillane, a captain and the team's leading tackler, has a clear message for the squad, saying everyone needs to "Prepare as a starter," mentioning that no one knows when exactly they'll be called upon. Spillane will need to be one of the players who continue to perform to fill in for what they've lost with Williams' injury, but the defensive line will equally need to carry their weight.
The aforementioned Christian Barmore and Khyiris Tonga will, of course, be the starters, but the depth of the defensive line will also come into play. Rookie Joshua Farmer has shown flashes, while practice squad elevation Cory Durden's 83.7 PFF pass rush grade is fifth in the league among all defensive tackles.
After being a healthy scratch in each week this year, Arkansas UDFA Eric Gregory played a season-high 15 snaps against the Jets on TNF. At 25 years old and 320 pounds, he is physically built to be a rotational piece.
While run-stopping shouldn't come as much of an issue, Barmore will once again be heavily relied upon as a pass rusher from the interior. Harold Landry and K'Lavon Chaisson, who have combined for 12 sacks this year, will need to continue their strong play.
Cal Poly rookie Elijah Ponder has had two sacks in the last two games, and fifth-round pick Bradyn Swinson, who led LSU in sacks and TFLs last season, was elevated from the practice squad. Anfernee Jennings graded out to have a 90.7 overall PFF grade against the Browns in Week 8.
While making up for what Williams does will in no way be easy, the Patriots have the pieces to fill in for what he offers. While it may look a bit different, with more onus on the edge defenders and Barmore for interior pressure, I'd expect the defense to continue to be very effective against the run and solid as a pass rush.