With the regular season three months away, it can be a bit of a challenge to foresee what a team's starting lineup will look like. But in other cases, it can be more of a formality, and there likely won't be any surprises when the Patriots take the field against Las Vegas on Sept. 7.
Pro Football Focus recently unveiled projected starting lineups for all 32 teams - on offense and defense - ranked in order from highest to lowest, and not surprisingly, the Patriots were ranked near the bottom of the NFL at 26th.
Only the Jets, Giants, Saints, Browns, Panthers, and Titans were ranked worse than New England. Is that a sign of disrespect? Maybe, especially given the wholesale changes the Patriots made on both sides of the ball. However, the Patriots must also earn their way up those rankings through their play on the field, and the team is coming off back-to-back 4-13 seasons.
That being said, there are almost no surprises when looking at New England's projected starters. Let's break it down
PFF's assertion of what the Patriots starting offensive roster will look like in 2025 isn't too surprising
Quarterback - Drake Maye
Maye is due for a big-time shift in his second season, but with a new coaching staff and some new receivers and running backs, the first couple of games may be an extension of Maye's rookie year.
Running backs - Rhamondre Stevenson, TreVeyon Henderson
Can this duo become the Patriots' version of the "thunder and lightning" backfield the Giants had in the early 2000s with Ron Dayne and Tiki Barber? It wouldn't be a surprise. Stevenson has taken accountability for his ball-security issues last season while Henderson has the potential to be a home-run threat. No surprises here.
Wide receivers/tight ends - Stefon Diggs, DeMario Douglas, Mack Hollins, Hunter Henry
The first two names weren't all that shocking. The Patriots signed Diggs is to be their number one receiver, and to provide a needed boost to the offense. That allows Douglas to play inside, and force linebackers to cover him one on one. Hollins is a bit of a surprise, but seeing his name here goes to show that guys like Kendrick Bourne and Ja'lynn Polk will need to shine in training camp to earn their spots. Henry could be poised for a big season at the tight end spot.
Offensive line - Will Campbell, Cole Strange, Garrett Bradbury, Mike Onwenu, Morgan Moses
This unit undoubtedly has the most to prove after last season's debacle. That's primarily why the Patriots drafted Campbell with the fourth overall pick and snatched up Bradbury and Moses in free agency. If this group stays healthy, it'll be better.
The same can be said for the defensive side of the ball
Defensive line - Milton Williams, Khyiris Tonga, Christian Barmore
The combination of signing Williams in free agency and Barmore returning from bloot clots automatically makes this unit better than it was a year ago. The Patriots should field one of the AFC's top defensive lines if they stay healthy.
EDGE - Harold Landry, Anfernee Jennings
With Landry and Robert Spillane in the fold, that could mean a big jump for a guy like Jennings. The Patriots' pass rush has seen a notable increase in speed this season, which is a vital factor.
Linebackers - Robert Spillane, Christian Elliss
No shockers here either. The signing of Spillane in free agency fortified New England's linebacking core, although Jahlani Tavai's recent injury is somewhat of a concern.
Defensive backs - Christian Gonzalez, Carlton Davis, Marcus Jones, Jhabril Peppers, Kyle Dugger
This unit has the potential to make things tough for opposing wide receivers this year. Gonzalez and Davis give the Patriots as lethal a 1-2 cornerback punch as it gets, and we all know what a Swiss army knife Jones can be. Peppers and Dugger will need to stay healthy.