I promised you one thought on each player currently on the Patriots' defensive roster. And because I deliver like USPS (pre-recent times), it awaits your eager eyes. Also, this time, because I was roasting like a toasted cheeser (The Sandlot), I wrote more than one thought. As always, tips are accepted.
INTERIOR DEFENSIVE LINE
Milton Williams: I can nitpick and say I’d like him to be more consistent as a run defender and do a better job of finishing (16.7% missed tackles), but there are also times where he wins so quickly that it’s damn near impossible to break down and square someone up. Williams got paid and is still driven to be the best. That’s not always a lock.
Christian Barmore: Had a near two-month stretch where he barely laid a finger on the quarterback. That should never be, even when he is the “sacrificial lamb” in two-man pass rush games. Barmore sandwiched that with some impactful play, though he laid an egg in the Super Bowl. Be more consistent.
Cory Durden: Terrific find last season, and impactful, including an excellent playoff run. Makes no money. Could be an extension candidate. The clear starter on the nose.
Eric Gregory: Could he help fill the Khyiris Tonga role? He’s 320 pounds, so he’s on the bigger end of what they have on the roster. I’m dubious (just don’t think he compares from a quickness perspective), however, there were flashes (at Cincy, at Balt).
Joshua Farmer: Still some maturing to do, but when he was healthy in the early part of the season, he showed up on tape at least a couple of times a game. Considering he played just about a dozen per, that’s not too shabby for a rookie. Strong lower half. Talent is there.
Leonard Taylor: “Playoff Lenny.” No matter what happens, he’ll always have that field goal block in the AFC Championship. A reminder that this was a player considered a potential top-50 player heading into his final year at Miami. He didn’t play that way, but there’s something there.
Jeremiah Pharms: He’s 29, which blew me away. A testament to him being a survivor. Has appeared in 29 games over his three-year NFL career (16 in the forgettable 2024-25 season).
Travis Shaw: UDFA, and the biggest of all the big boys up front (342 lbs). He was a four-star recruit who played three seasons at North Carolina before transferring to Texas for his final year. Only had one career start in 50 games.
David Blay: UDFA is an undersized nose tackle at Miami (transferred from La. Tech). Played for the Hurricanes in the low 290s. Quick. Gets moved vs. double teams.
EDGES
Dre’Mont Jones: Pats had their eye on him at the trade deadline and then consummated a deal in free agency. 5th team in 8 years. Morphed from more of an interior DL to a stand-up edge.
Harold Landry: A lot riding on Landry’s health. A trusted Vrabel veteran who delivered more pass rush pop before a knee injury in New Orleans dramatically slowed him down. Not as much of a 1-on-1 winner anymore; more dependent on stunts. Haven’t seen him yet this spring.
Elijah Ponder: A find last year. Beat TB’s Tristan Wirfs for his first NFL sack. Should have scored a touchdown in the AFC Title game (quick whistle on the Stidham stupidity). Dropped into coverage and didn’t look lost. Some promise here.
Gabe Jacas: It appears he has a physical issue that’s keeping him off the field. Described as an “all-ball, all-the-time” type.
Bradyn Swinson: His pass-rush tape at LSU was impressive. That did not translate in year one of the NFL; in fact, Swinson was cut, signed to the practice squad and remained there for the majority of the season. Got nicked up two weeks ago and remained on the sidelines for our last viewing.
Quintayvious Hutchins: If he’s making the team, it’s because he earns a spot on multiple special teams units. Has a recent legal issue.
Xavier Holmes: Spent four years at the University of Maine before finishing his college career at James Madison. Has five sisters and three of his six siblings played sports collegiately (his brother played rugby at South Carolina, one sister played softball at Elon, and another played volleyball at Hampshire)
Jesse Luketa: Born in Edmonton. Was a 2022 7th-round pick by Arizona. Played 31 games over three seasons for the Cardinals, starting three.
LINEBACKERS
Robert Spillane: Wasn’t the same player after coming back from the ankle injury. Prior to, was a force. A lot of trust was built with him and the staff and teammates.
Christian Elliss: Developed into a reliable player after a rocky first six weeks. His hit on Jaxson Dart was one of those plays to remember.
KJ Britt: Doesn’t have much of a neck, which is what you want in a linebacker. Been a good special teams player, and there are those within the organization who view him as this year’s Jack Gibbens.
Namdi Obiazor: More in the line of the undersized, speedy linebacker. Played safety before converting to LB at TCU.
Otis Reese: a 4-star recruit who went to Georgia, then transferred to Ole Miss, where he played the star and safety. Saw some action for the Titans in ‘23 and ‘24. Was on the Pats’ practice squad from mid-November on.
Chad Muma: Lives with type 1 diabetes. 2022 3rd round pick by Jacksonville. Never quite developed like Jags thought, starting only 7 games in three seasons. Waived in the summer of ‘25 and claimed by the Colts. The Pats signed him off their practice squad in December. When Muma diagnoses the play, gets to the ball in a hurry.
Amari Gainer: Fills out a uniform. Spent the final 7 weeks of last season on the practice squad. Consistent special team contributor for Vegas in 2024-25. A 6-year collegian (5 at Florida State and one at UNC)
Khalil Jacobs: Had multiple pre-draft meetings with the Patriots. Solid in his final season at Missouri, with good pressure rate numbers as a blitzer (32%). Core special teamer in college. Ran a 4.77 40.
CORNERBACKS
Christian Gonzalez: Stopped coming around for OTAs and has been working out in Texas. Not sure if he’s mad about not getting the extension he’s eligible for, but this is a thing. Mandatory mini-camp will be the true tell. I smell a hold-in forthcoming. Has never played a full season (missed 13 games as a rookie, 1 game in 2024, and 3 games last year).
Carlton Davis: Didn’t miss a game last season for the first time in his 8-year career. Ended up with 69 tackles, his new high-water mark. Haven’t seen him this spring (it is voluntary, after all…)
Marcus Jones: Pound for pound, as tough a player as there is on the roster. Explosive returner (which we knew), but held up incredibly well as the nickel. Most teams are trending toward the bigger nickel, but Jones was too good to take off the field.
Charles Woods: Claimed off waivers (Rams) last year and immediately became a trusted special teamer and, surprisingly, the top choice at outside corner when injuries hit.
Karon Prunty: Picked off Drake Maye in first OTA (bad ball). However, showed ball skills in college. Confident player.
Kobee Minor: Mr. Irrelevant in the 2025 draft. Was one of the top 2 outside corners with Gonzalez and Davis missing from OTAs.
Kindle Vildor: Veteran on his 5th team since coming into the league in 2020. Started 21 games over a two-year stretch in 2021-22 with the Bears. Alongside Minor as one of the outside corners.
Marcellas Dial: Tore ACL last summer while appearing to make a strong push for a roster spot. Still doing work off to the side, mostly.
Channing Canada: Signed for the 2nd most money in the 2026 UDFA class. Outside corner at TCU.
Brandon Crossley: I liked him last summer. Was on the practice squad for the majority of the season. We’ll see if this coaching staff develops corners like the previous one did with Mike Pellegrino.
Kenneth Harris: Was primarily a slot corner at Oklahoma State but got some run at safety. 6’1”, 188 lbs. Another UDFA.
SAFETIES
Kevin Byard: How much does the old man have in the tank? He’ll be 33 when the season starts, but is coming off an All-Pro season. Different player than Devin McCourty, but the latter was still productive right up until he retired.
Craig Woodson: His physicality really showed up in the second half of the season and playoffs. Love the combo of smarts and violence. It would be wise to play him in the box on the regular.
Dell Pettus: Just as he did in year one, Pettus showed growth as year two went on. Currently, the frontrunner to be the third safety. Has a toughness about him that the coaching staff loves.
Mike Brown: Special teamer and lead dog to be the 4th safety.
Brenden Schooler: Special teams whiz kid and one of the captains a season ago.
John Saunders Jr: Claimed from the Dolphins last season. Spent the majority of the season on p-squad. Found him working behind Pettus, Brown and Schooler in OTAs thus far.
Peter Manuma: After impressing at rookie mini-camp, earned a spot on the 90-man roster. Still a big hill to climb.