If you read my previous two articles on the Patriots which was the teams 2025 pre-draft team preview along with the team’s 2025 post draft offensive outlook, you could see that I felt they needed help on both sides of the ball given the fact that they went 4-13 this past season. The offense of New England was perhaps the weakest overall offense in the NFL this past season and although they struggled on defense, they were better on that side of the ball. The Patriots in recent memory are known for having a defensive culture as they have now had three straight defensive minded head coaches, Bill Belichick won six Super Bowls with the franchise, Jerod Mayo was the head coach last season, and they have now hired former Patriots player Mike Vrabel, all of whom have defensive backgrounds. The major statistics/metrics for the Patriots on defense this past 2024 season can be found below.
New England Patriots 2024 Major Defensive Metrics
22nd in yards per game allowed
22nd in points per game allowed
24th in overall defense grade according to Pro Football Focus
From the onset the Patriots had a pretty weak defense this past season ranking bottom 10 in all of the above three major metrics. However, given the fact that the offense was perhaps the weakest overall offense in the NFL, thus consistently putting the defense in bad spots, the defense in all reality was closer to average. Jerod Mayo, with a defensive background who never even was an NFL defensive coordinator before taking the head coaching job of the Patriots was the head coach of New England this past season but was fired after his only season on the job. DeMarcus Covington, who also never was a defensive coordinator in the NFL prior to last season, was the defensive coordinator of the Patriots this past season as well. The youth and inexperience of the Patriots’ defensive coaching staff directly led to the suboptimal output this past season. Now the Patriots have brought on former Titans head coach and former Patriots player Mike Vrabel as the head coach of the team with him having a defensive background as well. Although Vrabel was certainly a flawed candidate before taking the head coaching job of the Patriots, in terms of defensive coaching, the Patriots will be in a better if not a much better position with him next season than they were this past season from a defensive coaching standpoint. Vrabel with the Patriots has also onboarded a new defensive coordinator as well in Terrell Williams who was a defensive assistant to Vrabel during Vrabel’s time with the Titans. Williams will be in his first season as a defensive coordinator on either the college or professional level, so how effective he will be next season remains a question mark. The Patriots in terms of defensive coaching were questionable this past season because of youth/inexperience, and although with the onboarding of Vrabel I think they will be coached much better defensively next season, I still have question marks about how well coached they will be on defense next season. But nonetheless, the personnel that New England had on defense this past season also led to much of the suboptimal output and the personnel that the Patriots have on defense will loom large for New England next season as well. I have conducted an evaluation of New England’s defensive personnel in the 2024 season and also headed into the 2025 season. I have included the defense grade that the player was given by Pro Football Focus over the course of the 2024 season, along with my own subjective grade of the player that indicates how strong I feel they are in totality outside of just the 2024 season. Beginning with the front seven of the team I can offer the following.
New England Patriots 2024 Front Seven Personnel
DL – Daniel Ekuale – (59/146) defense grade in 2024 over 723 snaps, C to C+
DL – Davon Godchaux – (101/146) defense grade in 2024 over 680 snaps, C to C+
DL – Jeremiah Pharms Jr – (70/146) defense grade in 2024 over 457 snaps, C+ to B-
DL – Eric Johnson – (91/146) defense grade in 2024 over 178 snaps, C to C-
DL – Jaquelin Roy – (73/146) defense grade in 2024 over 141 snaps, C to C+
DL – Christian Barmore – (78/146) defense grade in 2024 over 123 snaps, B+
DL – Trysten Hill – poor in only 14 snaps in 2024, C to C+
ED – Anfernee Jennings – (54/135) defense grade in 2024 over 831 snaps, C to C+
ED – Keion White – (46/135) defense grade in 2024 over 830 snaps, C+ to B-
ED – Deatrich Wise Jr – (87/135) defense grade in 2024 over 409 snaps, C to C+
ED – Joshua Uche – (109/135) defense grade in 2024 over 249 snaps, C to C+
ED – Yannick Ngakoue – (122/135) defense grade in 2024 over 239 snaps, C to C+
ED – Oshane Ximines – only 14 snaps in 2024, C to C+
ED – Ochaun Mathis – only 11 snaps in 2024, C to C-
ED – Titus Leo – only 9 career snaps
ED – Truman Jones – only 19 career snaps
LB – Jahlani Tavai – (78/92) defense grade in 2024 over 916 snaps, C+ to B-
LB – Christian Elliss – (20/92) defense grade in 2024 over 514 snaps, B to B-
LB – Sione Takitaki – (51/92) defense grade in 2024 over 194 snaps, B to B+
LB – Raekwon McMillian – (92/92) defense grade in 2024 over 267 snaps, C to C-
LB – Ja’Whaun Bentley – (91/92) defense grade in 2024 over 61 snaps, B to B-
LB – Joe Giles-Harris – only 17 snaps in 2024, B+
LB – Monty Rice – only 5 snaps in 2024, C+
LB – Curtis Jacobs – poor in 23 career snaps all in 2024
New England Patriots 2024 Key Front Seven Personnel Metrics
28th in pass rush grade according to Pro Football Focus
26th in run defense grade according to Pro Football Focus
23rd in rushing yards per game allowed
32nd in sacks
As you can see from this metric the Patriots had their front seven produce at a very sub optimal rate this past season. As they ranked bottom 10 in the NFL in all the key metrics that indicate strong front seven play, including ranking last in sacks. If you look at their personnel from this past season, outside of 2-3 players in Christian Barmore, Keion White, and Christian Ellis, the Patriots had very mediocre front seven personnel across the board. Heading into next season the team has added several key pieces to their front seven which include Milton Williams from the Eagles, Khyris Tonga from the Cardinals, Harold Landry III from the Titans, Robert Spillane from the Raiders, and Jack Gibbens from the Titans. The projected lineup for the Patriots front seven heading into next season can be found below.
New England Patriots 2025 Projected Starting Front Seven
LDE – Milton Williams – B to B+
NT – Khyris Tonga – B to B+
RDE – Christian Barmore – B to B+
WLB – Harold Landry III – C+
LILB – Chrisitan Ellis – B
RILB – Robert Spillane – B to B+
SLB – Anfrenee Jennings – C to C+
New England Patriots 2025 Projected Reserve Front Seven Players
DL – Jeremiah Pharms – C+ to B-
DL – Jaquelin Roy – C
DL – Joshua Farmer – 4th round 2025
ED – Keion White – B-
LB – Jack Gibbens – B to B+
LB – Jahlani Tavai – B
LB – K’Lavon Chaisson – C to C-
DL – Isaiah Iton – UDFA 2024, 0 career snaps
DL – Jahvaree Ritzie – UDFA 2025
ED – Truman Jones – B to B+ in only 19 career snaps
LB – Cam Riley – UDFA 2025
LB – Monty Rice – C+ to B-
ED – Brayden Swinson – 5th round 2025
ED – UDFA 2025
The Patriots can expect to see improvement from a front seven standpoint based on the following logic. In the 2024 season, the Patriots had just five players who I graded to definitively be in the B range in their front seven, whereas as of now heading into the 2025 season, the Patriots have nine players who I definitively graded to be in the B range in their front seven. As of now the Patriots’ front seven has five players projected to start that I graded to be in the B to B+ range but none in the A range. The remaining two Patriots’ front seven starters I graded to be in the C to C+ range. From a reserve standpoint the Patriots have five to six players capable of giving the team strong production off the bench whom I graded to be in the C+ to B- range if not higher. I would imagine that some of those players will threaten to take a starting role from the players who I graded to be in the C to C+ range who are currently listed to be starters. As of now the Patriots project to be very good but not great in the front seven heading into 2025. As they do not have any A caliber players listed in their front seven and they have two players currently listed as front seven starters who I graded to be in just the C to C+ range. The front seven with four new projected starters is totally unproven but I certainly feel as if the New England front seven has what it takes to be an above average if not a well above average unit next season. I have conducted a similar analysis of New England’s secondary as well, looking at it in the 2024 season and also headed into the 2025 season.
New England Patriots 2024 Secondary
CB – Christian Gonzalez – (11/128) defense grade in 2024 over 978 snaps, B+ to A-
CB- Jonathan Jones – (80/128) defense grade in 2024 over 712 snaps, B-
CB – Marcus Jones – (31/128) defense grade in 2024 over 586 snaps, B to B+
CB – Alex Austin – (78/128) defense grade in 2024 over 234 snaps, C
CB – Marco Wilson – (119/128) defense grade in 2024 over 206 snaps, C to C-
CB – Isaiah Bolden – (8/128) defense grade in 2024 over 141 snaps, A-, only career snaps
CB – Marcellas Dial – (108/128) defense grade in 2024 over 61 snaps, C, only career snaps
CB – Miles Battle – (7/128) defense grade in 2024 over 18 snaps, A-, only career snaps
S – Kyle Dugger – (102/104) defense grade in 2024 over 759 snaps, C+
S – Jaylinn Hawkins – (71/104) defense grade in 2024 over 613 snaps, C
S – Marte Mapu – (55/104) defense grade in 2024 over 487 snaps, C
S – Jabrill Peppers – (5/104) defense grade in 2024 over 372 snaps, B
S – Dell Pettus – (19/104) defense grade in 2024 over 341 snaps, B+, only career snaps
S – Brenden Schooler – (38/104) defense grade in 2024 over 51 snaps, only 54 career snaps
New England Patriots 2024 Key Secondary Metrics
15th in coverage grade according to Pro Football Focus
10th in passing yards per game allowed
The Patriots by the above two metrics and also if you look at their personnel, were an above average secondary by any stretch of the imagination this past season. They were top 10 in terms of passing yards allowed and Pro Football Focus graded them slightly above average in terms of coverage grade as well. Christian Gonzalez who was a first round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft has looked very strong in his first two seasons in the NFL. Perhaps as he heads into year 3 in the NFL, he will begin to enter the conversation of being the best overall cornerback in the league. Marcus and Jonathan Jones were solid complementary corners to Gonzalez as well. While the likes of Isaiah Bolden and Miles Battle have looked very strong in very limited career snaps and provided some depth at cornerback. The team’s safety position was also pretty talented but was unable to produce at a desirable rate. As Jabrill Peppers who is stout when on the field struggled with injuries and off the field issues this past season limiting his playing time. Dell Pettus, who was an undrafted free agent prior to the 2024 season, looked very strong in limited playing time as a rookie. Perhaps as he goes into year 2 and beyond in the NFL, he can start to accumulate more playing time in the league. Brenden Schooler, who is mostly a special teams player, also looked strong in very limited playing time at safety this past season. The aforementioned three players looked strong in limited playing time in the 2024 season but three safeties ahead of them logged far more snaps this past season. Jaylinn Hawkins, Marte Mapu, and Kyle Dugger logged the most snaps at safety for the team this past season and all graded as below average. Kyle Dugger also graded as one of the weakest safeties in the NFL this past season when he typically produces at an otherwise strong level. Dugger is currently listed as one of the two starters at safety on the depth chart heading into next season so the Patriots are optimistic, he can perhaps regain his previous form. Jabrill Peppers is listed as the other starter at safety as of now but struggled with injuries and off the field concerns this past season although playing very well in his limited time on the field. Both of those starting safeties in Dugger and Peppers have a very high ceiling that borders on elite. But both safeties currently listed as starters struggle with consistency along with other things. The production that New England will receive from their starting two safeties next season will be a key point to watch out for. If one or both of the safeties regresses and produces at a suboptimal rate, maybe a few of the backups such as Dell Pettus and Brenden Schooler who have looked strong in limited reserve snaps can then enter a starting role. At cornerback, starter Jonathan Jones from the 2024 season has since departed the team to the Washington Commanders. Jones is a solid but not spectacular player and graded as below average last season and the team has since signed veteran Carlton Davis III to replace him in the backend. Davis III, a former Super Bowl Champion with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, played for Detroit this past season and was graded very highly in terms of an overall defense grade amongst corners at (18/128). Davis III will be a slight upgrade at one of the starting cornerback positions over Jonathan Jones if not more than just a slight upgrade. The Patriots had an above average secondary this past season as they ranked above average in both of the two major metrics I listed. New England allowed the 10th fewest passing yards in the NFL this past season despite New England having one of the weakest front sevens with maybe the weakest pass rush in the league. Which goes to show you how strong the secondary truly was as it produced at an above average rate despite the front seven doing next to nothing to aid the backend. New England’s secondary can expect to take another step forward next season as Carlton Davis III will be an upgrade over the likes of Jonathan Jones. New England’s starting two safeties really struggled this past season as well as standout Jabrill Peppers was unable to stay on the field and Kyle Dugger had a down year. Heading into next season, for New England’s sake, Peppers will hopefully play a larger portion of snaps and Dugger will hopefully bounce back. If not, the Patriots have more than one reserve safety who produced at a very strong clip this past season who can maybe step in as a starter. New England’s projected 2025 secondary can be found below.
Patriots 2025 Projected Starting Secondary
LCB – Carlton Davis III – B to B+
SS – Kyle Dugger – C+ to B-
FS – Jabrill Peppers – B+ to A-
RCB – Christian Gonzalez – B+ to A-
NB – Marcus Jones – B to B-
Projected Patriots 2025 Reserve Secondary Players
CB – Alex Austin – C
S – Jaylinn Hawkins – C to C-
S – Marcus Epps – C+ to B-
CB – Marcellas Dial – D+ to C-
S/CB – Craig Woodson – 2025 4th rounder
CB – Kobee Minor – 2025 7th rounder
S – Marte Mapu – C
S – Dell Pettus – B+
CB – Isaiah Bolden – A to A-, very limited snaps
CB – D.J James – 0 career snaps, 2024 6th rounder
CB – Miles Battle – A, very limited snaps
S – Brenden Schooler – B to B+, very limited snaps
S – Josh Minkins – UDFA 2025
CB – Brandon Crossley – UDFA 2025
NB – Jordan Polk – UDFA 2025
As you can see from the above the Patriots have one of the more talented secondaries in the NFL that produced at an above average clip this past season. Now that they have added a key piece in Carlton Davis III, now that they will hopefully for their sake get stronger safety play for aforementioned reasons, now that they have upgraded their defensive coaching staff, and now that they will get stronger front seven play as well, the Patriots secondary certainly has what it takes to take the step from good to great next season. It would not surprise me at all if the Patriots ended up having one of the premier secondaries in the NFL next season.
Overall, on the defensive side of the ball the Patriots were mediocre in all the indicators of strong defensive play this past season. But headed into next season there is far too much to be optimistic about. Although Vrabel was a flawed hire as his defenses throughout the years as a head coach and as a defensive coordinator left much to be desired, as of now, Vrabel is as strong of a defensive minded head coach in the NFL. The Patriots have added several key pieces to their defense this offseason, especially in the front seven where they needed help the most. The front seven as of now projects to be good if not very good and the secondary as of now projects to be one of the premier secondaries in the league next season. That combined with going from Jerod Mayo who never even held a defensive coordinator position prior to accepting the head coaching job for New England, to now Mike Vrabel who is one of the most established defensive head coaches in the NFL. The upgrade in personnel and in coaching could see the Patriots defense take a big step forward next season. The Patriots defense will also be in line to improve from the standpoint of the offense can expect to take a step forward as well. Last season the Patriots had maybe the weakest overall offense in the NFL, putting the defense in bad spots consistently. Next season, New England will be much better offensively allowing the defense to thrive. I could certainly see a scenario in which New England goes from having a mediocre defense in 2024 to an elite defense in 2025 with the hire of Vrabel. Similar to how the Charges went from having the 24th ranked scoring defense the year prior to Jim Harbaugh’s arrival and then having the #1 ranked scoring defense in the first year of the Harbaugh era. The Patriots had the 22nd ranked scoring defense this past season and they certainly have what it takes to take a big leap in year 1 of the Vrabel era just like the Chargers did in year 1 of the Harbaugh era.
