Here's a breakdown of the players the Patriots have committed to sign in free agency and what it might mean.
Milton Williams, DT, Eagles
His contract makes him the highest-paid player on the team. There are expectations now. Is the soon-to-be 26-year-old ready for them?
WHY DID THEY SIGN HIM?
Williams is on the come-up. He went from being a solid run defender over the first couple of years and a decent pass rusher into a certified beast on the interior this past season. His pass rush win rate of 24.6% was the best in the league. Granted, it came in 419 pass rush snaps versus the guy who's second on the list, Chris Jones (641), but that is an impressive performance. The Pats have told us they want to be a more aggressive, penetrating group up front, and Williams is the very definition of that, someone who should thrive in a one-gap scheme. If Christian Barmore is healthy, that will be a problematic duo to handle, and Keion White, in particular, and Harold Landry should be allowed to see more single blocks as a result.
WHAT THE LEAGUE IS SAYING
"That kid is a handful," said an assistant coach in the NFC East. "I'm sure he'll have to adjust to being one of the more featured guys, and for that cash, he'd better, but he's so quick and knows how to use his hands. He's got Pro Bowl potential."
"He's a little on the lighter side," a player personnel director texted me, "But he's strong enough to make it work at the point of attack."
NUGGETS
Williams has never played more than 46% of the snaps (last year), but after running out Daniel Ekuale (a free agent) for 60% last year and throwing flotsam and jetsam like Eric Johnson and Jaquelin Roy out there, this is a no-brainer, even if it's expensive. I'm told Williams is a good dude and a great culture guy.
Carlton Davis, CB, Lions
A three-year deal worth $18 million per season, with incentives that can kick it up to $20 million. He gets $34.5 million guaranteed.
WHY DID THEY SIGN HIM?
Because Davis is a damn good football player. He allowed less than 50% of passes completed against him last season and led the Lions with 11 passes defensed. Davis played a major role in the secondary that was bottom third in the league in 2023 to the upper half in 2024-25. The Pats had issues at outside corner last year, playing Marco Wilson there, then Jonathan Jones, and later giving reps to Alex Austin and Isaiah Bolden. They'll still need depth - Davis hasn't played more than 14 games in a season since entering the league in 2018 - but the veteran is a massive upgrade for a defense that fell off dramatically.
WHAT THE LEAGUE IS SAYING:
"Supremely confident player," a scout told me. "Plays that way."
"Miscast as a number one corner, but to be opposite (Christian) Gonzalez is the perfect scenario," said another assistant. "You gotta be careful when you throw the ball to his side. He could eat."
NUGGETS
Davis played in Detroit last season, so new defensive coordinator Terrell Williams knows him and spoke highly of him to team brass. The 28-year-old did an interview pre-free agency and said he "panicked" at this time last year, and he wouldn't do that again because "I'm playing my best football."
Robert Spillane, LB, Raiders
$37.5 million over three years for the linebacker. There is no word on the guaranteed money yet.
WHY DID THEY SIGN HIM?
As part of this new attacking scheme, the Pats want more speed at the linebacker level, and Spillane gives them that. He's smaller (6'1", 229 pounds), but man, does he fly to the football. He's had 158 and 148 tackles over the last two seasons with Las Vegas, and not only can he get downhill in a hurry, but he's also improved as a pass defender (he had his best year in that regard). Spillane is also another locker room/culture guy - in addition to being a playmaker - which has been very much a priority.
WHAT THE LEAGUE IS SAYING
"He's a dawg," said an offensive coordinator who had to game plan against Spillane and Vegas. "Occasionally can get him to take the cheese because he wants so desperately to make a play, but the more we see him, the more difficult it's become to fool him."
NUGGETS
Signed as an undrafted free agent with Tennessee in 2018, Mike Vrabel's first with the Titans, and was released midseason. Then signed with the Raiders in Josh McDaniels' second (and final) season. They know Spillane well. Has intercepted five passes in the last two seasons. His addition makes you wonder what is next for Ja'Whaun Bentley, a much-bigger-bodied linebacker used to playing in the middle of a defense.
Morgan Moses, RT, Jets
The veteran gets $24 million for three years. Again, guaranteed money is not yet available.
WHY DID THEY SIGN HIM?
Did you see the Pats' offensive line? I have been rewatching at various points this offseason and have wanted to stick a fork in my eye. They were terrible at so many spots, and in some places, especially right tackle, they were forced to play guys that weren't ready. Moses is ready. He's always ready. The 34-year-old is as tough as they come. He only missed two games this year with an MCL sprain, a bone bruise in his knee, meniscus damage, and a small fracture. You want an entire team full of players with that kind of mentality. But it goes beyond that. Moses is still an above-average pass blocker and was lauded for his leadership and professionalism in New York with the Jets. In fact, they wanted him back.
WHAT THE LEAGUE IS SAYING
"We knew we'd have opportunities to control the game with our D-line when we played them (Pats)," an AFC assistant coach told me. "It doesn't change who they are - they still have work to do - but Moses (if healthy) makes them better. No doubt."
NUGGETS
Todd Downing, the new wide receivers coach, was the interim offensive coordinator with the Jets last year, so you once again have a previous relationship with the player. Moses has started 158 games throughout his career.
Harold Landry, Edge, Titans
A three-year contract for $43.5 million, $26 million of which is guaranteed.
WHY DID THEY SIGN HIM?
The Pats were powerless against opposing QBs last year, unable to move them off their spot or get them to the ground (28 sacks). Landry has been good at that his entire career, with 50.5 career sacks, including 9.5 for the Titans in 2024-25. He has also been underrated as a run defender despite playing at a much lower weight (in the 230s) than listed (251). Then there's that whole familiarity thing. Landry was part of Vrabel's first-ever draft class (GM Jon Robinson was running the show) in 2018. He also got a health extension under that regime in 2022.
WHAT THE LEAGUE IS SAYING
"Solid pro," texted an AFC assistant coach. "Good player. He's not as explosive as he once was, but you know they'll have a good plan for him. Better than what they have coming off the edge."
NUGGETS
Former Boston College star. He blew out his ACL in 2022 after signing his contract extension. Had gone to the Pro Bowl in 2021, the only of his career. Turns 29 in June.
JOSH DOBBS
Two years and $8 million, $3.8 million guaranteed.
WHY DID THEY SIGN HIM?
Need a veteran in that QB room, and Jacoby Brissett isn't coming back (or wants to). Dobbs has picked up playbooks in a matter of days, including during his time in Tennessee under Vrabel and Downing. In fact, the Titans turned to him late in the year instead of Malik Willis, even though Wills had been drafted by the team and had been with them since April.
NUGGETS
Nicknamed "The Passtronaut" because he has an aero-space degree from the University of Tennessee and had an internship at NASA.
Khyiris Tonga, DT Cardinals
One-year deal for $2.7 million.
WHY DID THEY SIGN HIM?
Tonga fills a big body void after the trade of Davon Godchaux at 6'4", 338 pounds. He has been a rotational piece for four straight seasons, primarily lined up in the 'A' and 'B' gaps. Sneaky solid pass rusher in limited snaps last year (17.9% win rate in 98 snaps).
NUGGETS
2021 seventh-round pick of the Chicago Bears. He has bounced around the league, mostly recently playing with the Arizona Cardinals.
Mack Hollins, WR, Bills
Two years for up to $10.4 million.
WHY DID THEY SIGN HIM?
The Pats are in desperate need of adults in the wide receiver room. While Hollins is a unique character, the game matters to him, and he's been lauded for his approach. He's also had his moments as a wide receiver, including a career-high eight catches for 158 yards against Vrabel's Titans when he was playing for...wait for it...McDaniels' Raiders. This past year in Buffalo, Hollins had 31 catches.
NUGGETS
He is known for his outlandish outfits and penchant for being barefooted, even in the dead of winter.