Equipped with the most salary cap space in the NFL, the New England Patriots signed a massive amount of free agents this offseason — 19 of them, to be exact, according to Spotrac.
The big money moves, like defensive tackle Milton Williams, wide receiver Stefon Diggs, and edge defender Harold Landry III, have been easy to notice during the Patriots’ scorching start to the season.
There have also been a few hidden gems in the bunch — including a 335-pound diamond in the rough who’s impact through nine games has been undeniable.
Defensive tackle Khyiris Tonga is now on his fourth team in five NFL seasons, but he might not leave Foxboro in 2025 with a contract extension. The Patriots’ $2.1 million offseason investment has already yielded monstrous returns, both against the run and, as a more pleasant surprise, as an interior pass rusher.
The Khyiris Tonga Fan Club has been growing by the week, and he definitely added some new members during Sunday’s tight, 24-23 win over the Atlanta Falcons — flashing some skills on offense that have fans clamoring for more.
The New England Patriots may have found their new short-yardage fullback in nose tackle Khyiris Tonga
Tonga has done his best work as a gap-filling monster against the run this season.
It was his work as a run-blocker that had Patriots fans buzzing on Sunday against the Falcons.
The Patriots unveiled a new wrinkle on offense that may come in handy over the second half of the season. On their opening drive of the game — a 10-play march that ended with a 17-yard touchdown pass from Drake Maye to DeMario Douglas — the Patriots faced a third-and-1 situation from their own 34.
Rather than use hybrid tight end Jack Westover at fullback, as they’ve done often this season, the Patriots subbed Tonga into the game. Big No. 95 reported himself as an eligible receiver, lined up to the right of the formation, and came in motion at the snap; he wound up being the lead blocker on a six-yard run by Terrell Jennings between the tackles.
The Patriots don't have a true bulldozing tight end/fullback, so they tap DT Khyris Tonga (6-2, 335) in that role.
— Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) November 2, 2025
With success.
Tonga not only played some fullback in college at BYU — he rushed for a goal-line touchdown in 2019. The run came during a glorified scrimmage against Idaho State, but Tonga scored and finished that season with seven total snaps on offense, per Pro Football Focus.
Touchdown run Khyiris Tonga!! No, that's not a typo. Scrum play delivers for #BYU. #BYUFootball #KSLsports
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) November 16, 2019
It goes without saying that Tonga is much more valuable to the Patriots on defense right now. He’s arguably been their most underrated player, and on Sunday started his third consecutive game at nose tackle.
There could come a time, though, when the Patriots need a big third- or fourth-down conversion down the stretch. Based on Sunday’s success rate — one first-down conversion on one offensive snap — Tonga could end up being a secret weapon on both sides of the ball.