There are numerous reasons for optimism about the New England Patriots in 2025. It all began when the ownership hired Mike Vrabel, and the team has been on a roll since then. Vrabel has grabbed the proverbial bull by the horns and taken command, and nothing in Foxborough is the same.
Among his already accomplished achievements are the rebuilding of the offensive line almost from top to bottom. He added three solid veterans, and at least two will start. Additionally, the team finally addressed the second most important position on the roster, left tackle, and did it in style. They drafted Pro Football Focus's top offensive tackle and lineman in the entire draft, Will Campbell.
Vrabel did a lot more on offense, but he also had to remodel his defense. He made key additions at all three levels. Pro Football Focus (PFF) has tabbed Vrabel's defense as the Patriots' "top reason for optimism" in 2025.
PFF evaluated Mike Vrabel's new defense and likes what they see
There was no doubt that Mike Vrabel, a former defensive edge/end, would focus a lot of early attention on rebuilding the Patriots' lackluster 2024 defense into a formidable unit again. He wasted no time in doing so. In free agency, he hit the D hard and followed up with nice additions in the draft. The upgrades have been many and significant.
Dan Wasserman of Pro Football Focus likes what he sees of Vrabel's rebuilt defense.
"The Patriots have the makings of a potentially dangerous defense. They handed out a huge contract to former Eagles defensive tackle Milton Williams, who led all interior defenders with a 91.7 PFF pass-rush grade last season. New linebacker Robert Spillane placed sixth at his position with an 87.3 PFF run-defense grade. Carlton Davis III could form one of the league’s best cornerback duos with Christian Gonzalez.
"Throw in playmakers such as Christian Barmore, Keion White and Marcus Jones, and the Patriots could have one of the NFL’s emerging defenses this season under head coach Mike Vrabel."
Additions made this offseason, such as Williams, Spillane, and Davis, one at each level of Vrabel's defense, are playmakers —an attribute sorely lacking on the 2024 Patriots' defense. It's clear Vrabel is out to impact the game with big plays on D, and he now has a lot of key components to do just that.
PFF could have added a few other top defensive additions to their analysis
Vrabel also added other solid players, including pass-rushing edge Harold Landry III and another promising young veteran edge, K'Lavon Chaisson. Vrabel also scooped up three underrated potential immediate defensive contributors in the draft. In the fourth round, he drafted safety Craig Woodson from California. He may very well oust one of the higher-paid incumbents and has the versatility to play both safety positions.
Also in the fourth round, Vrabel added another piece to the interior defensive line in Florida State's tackle, Joshua Farmer. He was predicted to go higher in the draft and will be out to prove everyone wrong. Added to Williams, Barmore, and White, Vrabel has the makings of a modern-day "Fearsome Foursome" on the interior of the D-line.
And to further bolster the edge position, he drafted another higher-rated prospect than his draft position suggested, LSU's sack man, edge Bradyn Swinson. He can bring the heat and will be a nice adjunct to Landry, Chaisson, and maybe the versatile Christian Elliss.
PFF gave a nice tip of the cap to Vrabel's redesigned defense, and it's all justified. Yet, the same could be said for the almost totally revamped offense. Under Drake Maye, this unit, featuring a new offensive line, new receivers, and added explosiveness, is ready to tear the top off the 2025 NFL.
Mike Vrabel's top-to-bottom overhaul of his lackluster defense warrants attention. Vrabel refashioned his defense in a couple of months. This and more have led Patriot Nation to think the almost unthinkable: a playoff spot in 2025.