The New England Patriots finished the 2025 season with a 14-3 record, an AFC East title, the No. 2 seed in the AFC, and a Super Bowl appearance. While the strength of schedule added and an asterisk in the opinion of opposing fans, it doesn't change the fact that the Patriots catapulted themselves from worst to first immediately after Mike Vrabel entered the fold.
With Vrabel came defensive coordinator-turned-assistant head coach Terrell Williams and new defensive coordinator Zak Kuhr. After being sidelined due to health issues for all but one game last season, Williams' role was assumed by Kuhr, who led New England's defense to a top-five finish during the regular season.
A major piece to the team's success last season was its run defense. They ranked sixth in the league during the regular season, and they allowed less than 89 rushing yards per game in the playoffs. Exclude the Super Bowl, and that figure drops to 71.3 yards per game.
While edge defenders also played a role, there's no doubt the primary reason for the team's success against the run was their exceptional play along the interior defensive line. While Milton Williams and Christian Barmore lead the group, the team has the chance to develop its depth before a pivotal 2026 season.
Given Kuhr's success as the de facto defensive coordinator last season and Williams' experience as a defensive line coach, it isn't far-fetched to expect the interior to take another step in 2026. With such an intriguing group of defensive linemen, though, how will players separate themselves?
Exploring the Patriots' deepest position reveals potential hidden gems
Starters
Milton Williams, Christian Barmore, and Cory Durden
It should go without saying, but the reason New England had such success last season was in large part due to their top-end talent. Williams and Barmore were expected to perform, and they did just that. The pair ranked 7th and 8th, respectively, among total pressures by interior defenders, while both were top-18 in pass rush win rate (min. 200 pass rush snaps).
Durden's emergence, however, was far more surprising. After being released by the Giants, he signed with New England's practice squad and was elevated to the active roster nine days later. When he signed, he'd played eight career games with 13 tackles to his resume. In 2025, however, he had 30 tackles, five tackles for loss, and the second-highest pass-rush win rate at the position. Along with Williams and Barmore, the Patriots had the only trio of defensive tackles to rank in the top-20 in pass-rush win rate.
Durden's contract expires at the end of the year, and I'd expect him to receive a notable extension. There's little doubt these three are the cream of the crop.
Depth Pieces
Leonard Taylor III, Joshua Farmer, Eric Gregory
The defensive tackle room has a trio of favorites to make the team in a depth role given their performances last season, but it doesn't mean all will make the team. In my most recent roster projection, for example, only two of the three in this category managed to make the 53-man roster, though if they each have a strong camp, there's little reason to think they can't all find their way onto the roster.
Interestingly enough, each of these three players played in very similar roles to each other last season, as an injury to one gave another opportunities. Farmer saw significant action first, while Gregory played from Week 11 to the wild-card round of the playoffs. Taylor saw 14-plus snaps in Week 17 and onward. Taylor may have the edge due to recency bias: He had a 10.9 percent pressure rate and a blocked field goal during his aforementioned stint.
With the departure of Khyiris Tonga, the team will need to find a new nose tackle, and Farmer could fill that role. While each player saw time while Tonga was injured, Farmer and Gregory have the size to be more traditional nose tackles. The team traded up for Farmer in the fourth round of the 2025 draft, but Bengals fans weren't pleased when New England got their hands on Gregory.
Farmer would need to have a disastrous summer to miss out, given his draft status, and at least one of Taylor and Gregory seems sure to make it.
Long Shots
Jeremiah Pharms Jr., David Blay Jr., Travis Shaw
Keeping more than six interior defenders seems very unlikely, meaning that Pharms, Blay, and Shaw would need to jar one of the aforementioned six off the roster. More likely, they'll find themselves on the practice squad.
Pharms spent most of last season on the practice squad, but managed to play in three games. He totaled 50 defensive snaps across Week 12, 13, and 17 with two tackles. Pharms is a fun longshot story, having played for a pair of community colleges before landing at NAIA Friends University in Wichita.
He'd go on to play arena football and in the USFL before signing with the Patriots. He'll turn 30 during the season despite 2026 being just his fourth season in the NFL, and I'd expect him to be a prime practice squad candidate.
Blay Jr. and Shaw are a pair of intriguing UDFAs. Blay had a strong 2024 season at Louisiana Tech (Milton Williams alma mater) before transferring to Miami this season. During a championship-winning season with the Hurricanes, he had 13 stops as he started nine games at nose tackle.
Shaw is much larger than Blay, weighing in at nearly 350 pounds. He played only 184 snaps in 2025, while Blay logged 412 snaps on the season.
The Patriots' defense is elite, and the defensive line may be its deepest group. Time will tell who performs during the summer and can nab one of the coveted roster spots.
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