The New England Patriots have been actively upgrading their practice squad throughout the season. By doing so, it creates a systematic pipeline within the organization for players that will hopefully make an impact on the 53-man roster during a game when the team needs it. One of those players to keep an eye on with the Patriots, both in the present and near future, is defensive lineman Leonard Taylor III.
Taylor (6’3”, 305 lbs.) has appeared in three games during the regular season, being elevated from the practice squad during the final stretch of the 2025 campaign, playing in Weeks 15, 17, and 18, totaling eight tackles, four pressures, and three run stops in 52 total snaps. The first-year pro showcased an ability to get off blocks and disrupt plays, which led Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel to promote Taylor for the wild-card round against the Los Angeles Chargers last Sunday.
Vrabel has been very consistent all season in saying that every member of the roster needs to practice and prepare like they’re a starter. That includes the players on the practice squad, and true to his word, Vrabel elevated at least one player from the practice squad to the 53-man roster in 15 out of 17 games this season. The only games he didn’t follow this strategy were in Week 5 against the Buffalo Bills and Week 16 against the Baltimore Ravens.
During a press conference last week ahead of the wild-card round, Vrabel spoke on Taylor earning his opportunities, taking advantage of them, and how it will earn him more opportunities moving forward with the team.
“We’ve seen Leonard Taylor go out there, make contributions and play. And so, I’m always in favor of when guys earn it, that they get what they earn, and then when they get opportunities that they take advantage of them, and then they can earn more opportunity,” Vrabel stated.
Patriots Practice Squad DL Leonard Taylor Has Impressed Mike Vrabel
Taylor provides depth along the defensive line, and he even got on the field last week in the wild-card round, seeing 22 defensive snaps. He was on the field for New England’s fumble recovery and part of a group of players that celebrated in the end zone afterwards. At 23 years old, Taylor fits with the youth movement that Vrabel has utilized in building his team, as well as in the style of the defense, which has helped Taylor onto the field in three consecutive weeks for New England.
Vrabel’s coaching philosophy is built on teaching, developing, and implementing concepts and techniques to his players with the ultimate goal being for them to buy into his system and play the game in the way that he finds successful and contributes to winning football. He enjoys working with younger players and watching them develop and become contributors to the team.
During his introductory press conference as the new head coach, Vrabel explained why he believes in the system he runs and that his coaching staff all want the same goal: to create a winning team, from top to bottom.
“As long as I’m the head coach here, our coaches will have three simple jobs. … They want to teach, they want to develop, and they want to inspire our players by making a connection. We’re going to make strong connections with our players so that we can coach them and we can push them. I’ve really believed in this system, and I believe in having great teachers, great developers, and also coaches that will inspire our men by making a connection so that they know exactly what makes them tick,” Vrabel said.
Taylor should continue seeing more opportunities go his way as the playoffs continue. He might be more in the mix to spell a player over the course of a series, with the defensive linemen starters being healthy and available. Depth along the line is of utmost importance for this team, as getting to the QB via the pass rush is essential to this team's success.
If Taylor can continue on this path, he’ll put himself in a great position to earn a larger role with the Patriots moving forward into next year.