The Patriots have added numerous solid NFL free agents in the 2025 offseason, many of whom are expected to make significant contributions to the team. On offense, Mike Vrabel rebuilt his dismal offensive line with three veteran additions and bolstered his receiving corps with two signings.
On defense, he added the best defensive tackle available and two solid linebackers. He also signed a top cornerback to partner with Christian Gonzalez in one of the best cornerback tandems in the NFL. And then there was the edge.
The edge position was empty, and Vrabel moved to bolster it in free agency. He added former Raider and potential breakout player K'Lavon Chaisson. Additionally, he said a bona fide NFL sack man in Harold Landry III, who played for Vrabel for years in Tennessee.
Harold Landry III was cited by CBS Sports as a possible impact Patriots' player in 2025
In an article about "under-the-radar" stars in the AFC who could shine, Tyler Sullivan of CBS Sports has named Landry as the Patriots' guy who he says, "could make a surprising impact."
"Despite signing a three-year, $43.5 million deal with the Patriots in March, Landry has sort of been lost in the shuffle of New England's busy offseason. However, his addition shouldn't be overlooked. New England was dead last in the NFL in sacks in 2024 and had the fourth-lowest pressure rate.
Landry comes to Foxborough with a prior history working under coach Mike Vrabel due to their shared time with the Tennessee Titans. Vrabel was at the helm when Landry posted a 12-sack season in 2021, and it wouldn't be surprising to see him reach that Pro Bowl level this year with his new squad. "
Sullivan is spot on with his call that Landry is a potential very impactful player for the Patriots' defense, which, as he noted, hardly sacked anyone in 2024. Landry is a bona fide NFL sack artist, having notched 50.5 sacks in the six seasons he played. That 8.4 average is far and away the best on the 2025 Patriots.
So, it's no surprise that Landry is seen as someone likely to make a significant contribution to a Patriots defense that struggled to get off the field in 2024. But that being said, Landry is one among many who could have qualified for that distinction. Let's take a look.
Numerous Patriots are poised to thrive under Mike Vrabel
Sullivan had a lot of players to choose from. Examining the defense alone, several players qualify. One is Christian Barmore, who missed a lot of time in 2024 due to a health concern. Barmore is one of the NFL's top defensive tackles, who was poised to rip the cover off the league last season before he had to leave the field. And he'll have plenty of top company.
His linemate, Keion White, is another fantastic player whose only problem has been his coaching. Both of his previous two head coaches misused this terrific interior defensive lineman, playing him on the outside, and, laughingly, sometimes even in coverage. For a pocket-crusher par excellence, this was player mismanagement at its worst. Hopefully, Vrabel won't make that same mistake.
Others on the defense include two linebackers, tackling machine Jack Spillane and Christian Elliss, and a lockdown cornerback, Carlton Davis III, who will team up with Gonzalez. And these are just some of the candidates, only on the defense.
Regardless, Sullivan made a solid choice in selecting Landry as an "under-the-radar" potential player of great impact. It's fair to predict that Landry will lead the Patriots in sacks. He knows Vrabel's system inside out, and Vrabel knows how to utilize him. Expect ten sacks from Landry and possibly more, if his defensive line is as dominant as it claims to be.