The New England Patriots remain in a rebuilding mode in 2026. The remnants of their dismal 2024 roster continue to be replaced wholesale by free agents, draftees, and Undrafted Free Agents (UDFA), an area of contributors that the Patiots have a history of mining successfully.
Bleacher Report's Gary Davenport noted his choices for every NFL team's best undrafted free agent, and his choice for the Patriots may surprise. It's former Miami defensive tackle, David Blay Jr.
The surprise is that Davenport skipped over more heralded UDFA's like receiver Kyle Dixon, who impressed at rookie camp, and players like running back Myles Montgomery and corner Channing Canada, who signed big UDFA contracts.
But in Head Coach Mike Vrabel's meritocracy, the best players will make the roster no matter where they come from. If Blay plays well, he may surprise.
The Patriots still need help at defensive tackle before the 2026 season
The Patriots lost 2025's defensive tackle contributor, Khyiris Tonga, in free agency. He should have been re-signed. Depth at the position is limited after the two key contributors, Milton Williams and Christian Barmore. Corey Durden probably slots in at No. 3, and last season's fourth-round pick Joshua Farmer is also in play.
Better reinforcements were necessary, and the Patriots neither signed any of note nor drafted any. That's why Davenport's selection of Blay is worthy of a looksee.
"Blay started for a Miami team that played in a national championship game. In 2024 at Louisiana Tech, he recorded 10.5 sacks. Normally, that would be enough to get a player drafted. When you're a sub-300 pound one-technique tackle, though, it's another story. However, Ryan Roberts of A To Z Sports wrote that while undersized, Blay has shown flashes of real potential: 'Blay is a slightly undersized nose tackle, but he is extremely active.
The former Louisiana Tech transfer plays with an outstanding motor from the interior, making a solid amount of plays working from pursuit. There are also some flash plays from Blay, occasionally one gapping into the backfield.' The Patriots signed very few UDFAs—as of this writing, they can be counted on one hand. Of that small group, Blay is the best bet to make some noise this summer, especially if he can add 10-15 pounds to his frame."
The Patriots signed a dozen UDFA's, but Blay was the only defensive tackle. Davenport's comment about his size is the key observation. Blay is 6'2" and 292 pounds, quite small for an NFL defensive tackle, and that will be a factor working against him.
But on occasion, smaller DTs get the job done, and his 10.5 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks in 2024 for Louisiana Tech are an eye-catcher. Yet, for Miami in 2025, he only logged 2.5 tackles for loss and no sacks in 13 games.
Every Patriots UDFA has a chance. They just need to show it on the field, and Blay will have his shot. Yet, with a disappointing 2025 for the Hurricanes and his smaller size in mind, other UDFA's like Montgomery, Canada, and Dixon seem to have a better chance to make the roster.
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