The Patriots added a lot of exciting talent to their roster through the 2025 NFL Draft, most of whom will become pillars of the offense for the foreseeable future. But they also managed to pick some solid defensive pieces to bolster their already improved roster after a successful free agency, with fourth round defensive tackle Joshua Farmer garnering the most excitement.
That has prompted analysts to speculate about his floor and ceiling during his NFL career, which early on looks to be right on the nose.
Farmer was projected to be a third-round pick, and he was unhappy to have slipped to the fourth. That's all good for the Patriots and their fans. An outstanding player with a big chip on his shoulder is never bad. And Farmer was a productive player for the Seminoles and a great draft pick by Mike Vrabel.
Production is what it's all about - making plays. Farmer did that in 2024 for Florida State. He racked up 32 total stops with eight tackles for loss and four sacks in 12 games. In 2023, he had five sacks, two passes defended, and a forced fumble. That's solid production from the defensive tackle position.
The ceiling predcition for Joshua Farmer means the Patriots got a great defensive lineman
In their prediction for Farmer, patriotswire.usa.com has a very ambitious ceiling. The comp for the 6'3", 305-pound Farmer is a terrific one. It's a three-time Pro Bowler. Here's what they said,
- "Ceiling: Quinnen Williams – Powerful, explosive interior disruptor with pass rush juice and run defense anchor traits. But there is a reason Farmer fell. He needs to add pass rush plays and be more consistent all around."
Farmer has a good size for a Mike Vrabel defensive lineman, and like Williams, he can be moved all over the front. He has long arms and huge hands, making life difficult for any NFL offensive linemen. Williams had a monstrous 12 sacks and 28 quarterback hits in 2022. Being compared to him in any way, shape, or form is a high compliment.
The prediction for Farmer's floor is not too bad, either
If Farmer can even approach the lofty ceiling comp predicted by Patriots Wire, the Patriots' defensive line will be a monster. The Pats added Milton Williams, the Super Bowl-winning playmaker, to a hopefully fully fit Christian Barmore, and if played inside, an absolute pocket-collapsing menace, Keion White. Adding Farmer to that trio is just unfair.
But, what about their floor prediction for Farmer? Here's what they say about that side of the ledger,
- "Floor: Keeanu Benton – A stout rotational defensive tackle who flashes disruptive traits and consistent effort. Farmer has the upside to form a three-headed monster with Christian Barmore and Milton Williams, giving the Patriots a Philadelphia Eagles-type of front. At worst, he's a solid upgrade over Jeremiah Pharms Jr. and other rotational tackles, giving the team an improved floor all around the roster."
Garrity speaks about a three-headed defensive tackle rotational monster; it's four with Keion White added (but who's counting?) Whatever. The Steelers' Benton is not so prolific as Williams, but he's still a playmaker.
In 2024, he notched eight quarterback hits, six passes defended, a fumble recovery, and a sack. He makes plays, and if Farmer's introductory season's floor is in that neighborhood, the Patriots' opposition will be in for big trouble upfront with the Patriots' defensive tackles.
Garrity did an excellent job projecting Joshua Farmer's likely performance with the Patriots. If Farmer approximates that ceiling, the outlook will be ominous for AFC East offenses and others facing the Patriots' D-line. Yet, even at his floor, with his accompanying D-tackles, the future is bright for the Patriots' interior defensive line in 2025 - and way beyond.