Patriots fans should expect an improved team to take the field in September, led by key roster additions DE Milton Williams, OLB/DE Harold Landy, WR Stefon Diggs, and rookies LT Will Campbell, RB TreVeyon Henderson, and WR Kyle Williams. The Patriots have improved depth on both sides of the ball, particularly at wide receiver and offensive line.
Looking at the Patriots roster, there aren’t a ton of significant holes for the team to address with some of the top free agents still available. There are some notable names available, but the Patriots are building their roster on Drake Maye’s timetable and that gives head coach Mike Vrabel and Vice President of Player Personnel (and de facto General Manager) Eliot Wolf, more time to allow for their team to develop instead of making rash decisions in free agency.
The Patriots offense seems relatively set in stone at this point, coming out of OTAs. There may be a surprise player to make the team on the fringe of the roster, but the starters are more or less locked in. In looking at the free agency landscape, there are not a ton of significant upgrades over the current roster. The defense, on the other hand, still could use some work.
At first glance, the team looks set at key positions. The cornerback position may be one of the best in the league, according to Mark Daniels of Masslive. The Patriots reunited Vrabel with one of his former players from the Titans in Robert Spillane, and hopes are that he will continue to be a defensive stopper. Then there is the defensive line.
The Patriots made moves to shore up what was one of the worst defensive lines in the league in 2024. The Patriots ranked in the bottom third of the league in rushing defense, often because teams already had the game in hand and were running out the clock. Vrabel and Wolf went to work in free agency to address that. The additions of Landry and Williams to Christian Barmore should see an improved defensive front. Even if the defensive front takes a significant leap, Milton Williams can attest, there is never such a thing as too much depth on the defensive line.
Patriots Need to Reunite with Matthew Judon
To say things ended poorly with Matthew Judon would be an understatement. Judon openly talked about his wants for an extension and skipped out of training camp practices. It definitely was not the "Patriot Way" and Judon was sent to Atlanta. As Judon said at the time to Kayla Burton of NBC Sports Boston:
"It was tough, but it was something that I think the organization needed to do. It's a business decision. I told y'all, man, I love the game. It's just the business of it, it is what it is. And sometimes it's tough and sometimes it's not what you want or expect."Matt Judon
Judon found out that the grass isn’t always greener, though. He struggled to recapture his peak after an injury-filled 2023 and still remains available in free agency. Judon stated his issues with the Patriots were related to their approach to contract extension talks, and while Eliot Wolf remains, head coach Mike Vrabel was not and has set a new tone in his short time in Foxborough.
The Patriots need to consider bringing Judon back as a rotational piece. Judon can work with his hand on the ground or outside. If the Patriots are to get back to a dominant defense again, getting pressure in the backfield is key. Having the pieces in place to show different fronts and keep their pass rushers fresh is key.