The 2025 Patriots roster will be finalized after several contests to determine the final 53-man roster. In some units, the competition will be particularly fierce. Mike Vrabel and his newly constituted coaching staff will have to fine-tune the squad from almost 90 players down to the 53-man figure by the start of the season, as well as add some players to the practice squad.
It will be a daunting task for Vrabel and company, but the experienced NFL Head Coach will be up to it and then some. He's a professional's professional. Expect the final 53 to be comprised of the best available to put the Patriots back on the map and in playoff contention.
Some battles, like the wide receiver competition and the offensive line rebuild, will be front and center. But what about the under-the-radar ones? The Boston Herald's Doug Kyed was asked about those in a Tweet, and he offered two positions, the linebackers and safeties that qualify.
The Herald's Doug Kyed thinks linebacker and secondary could be quite competitive
Kyed's two competitive positional battles aren't high on the list in the media or for Patriot Nation.
"Robert Spillane will be one starting linebacker, and then it appears Jahlani Tavai (who injured his calf on Monday) and Christian Elliss will be competing for the other spot. But even beyond them, you have Jack Gibbens and Monty Rice (both of whom have played for head coach Mike Vrabel) competing with Cam Riley and Marte Mapu for roster spots.
And then at safety, you have a crowded group of Kyle Dugger, Jabrill Peppers, Marcus Epps, Craig Woodson, Jaylinn Hawkins, Dell Pettus, Brenden Schooler and Josh Minkins competing for five or six spots." (edited)
No doubt, tackling machine Robert Spillane will start and also maybe lead the entire defense. He could be named a captain right out of the box as he's already exerting a positive influence on his teammates. He'll be the Alpha dog on the second level.
Christian Elliss was one of only four of the Patriots' own free agents they should have re-signed. They wisely did. He had a breakout 2024, and if he gets to start, he's a big playmaker in waiting. He may just wrest a starting spot from Tavai, who's more of a big, traditional off-the-ball linebacker than those Vrabel prefers.
Expect former Vrabel hands Jack Gibbens and Monty Rice to also have an edge in the linebacker competition. Players like former third-round pick Marte Mapu and Cam Riley may find themselves on the outside looking in after the final roster cuts.
The safety room could surprise and trade candidates may present themselves
At safety, there could be surprises. One guarantee is special-teams ace and possible candidate for a free safety role, the inimitable Brendan Schooler. He's an All-Pro and going nowhere. Two other veterans could be on the bubble. These are big safeties, Kyle Dugger and Jabrill Peppers.
Dugger was injured in 2024 and failed to meet the terms of his inflated contract, which we now know was due to a misdiagnosed injury. Peppers missed a big chunk of the 2024 season, as well. Vrabel may wish to move on from these two relics of past regimes and start fresh. Both are trade candidates, and don't be shocked if one is wheeled.
Vrabel invested a fourth-round pick (thought a reach) in Craig Woodson. He's not going anywhere. Additionally, young players like Dell Pettus, Jaylin Hawkins, and Marcus Epps could take a spot from one of the veteran safeties. Vrabel is starting from scratch, and the players will earn their positions or be on the outside looking in. Expect changes and surprises at safety, too.
Those are two under-the-radar positions thought to be more competitive than initially meets the eye. Mike Vrabel will evaluate the players and keep the best regardless of their reputations. The 2024 defense was a wreck. The best Vrabel can do is move forward with new personnel who best fit his new Patriots. They have to be an improvement.