The New England Patriots rebuilt massive elements of their protection in 2025, and the sting was no exception. There have been some huge investments in addition to an infusion of expertise to assist reshape the group for the long run.
That course of paid some preliminary dividends, however as a take a look at the present composition of the depth chart in addition to it outlook exhibits, extra investment can be wanted.
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Patriots defensive edge depth chart
Harold Landry: Landry becoming a member of the Patriots after his launch from the Titans appeared like a foregone conclusion, and he certainly reunited with former head coach Mike Vrabel on a three-year, $43.5 million deal earlier than the beginning of free company. Voted a captain, he began strongly and picked up 5.5 sacks in his first seven video games. However, a nagging knee damage restricted him down the stretch and he completed the season with solely 8.5 complete sacks in addition to a restricted function throughout New England’s playoff run. | Signed (2028 UFA) | $16.35M cap hit
Ok’Lavon Chaisson: The former Jaguars first-round draft choose confirmed some promise throughout his one-year stint with the Raiders in 2024 and took one other step after becoming a member of the Patriots on a one-year free company pact. A starter on the sting reverse Landry, he completed with a team-leading 10.5 sacks and 73 quarterback pressures and likewise recovered a pair of fumbles, together with one for a landing. While working cold and warm as each a go rusher and edge-setter within the run sport, he was a crucial piece for New England’s defensive success in 2025. | UFA
Anfernee Jennings: With Landry and Chaisson in addition to a brand new teaching employees coming aboard, Jennings misplaced the beginning function he had held for the earlier two seasons. However, that doesn’t imply he had a foul season. In truth, the longest-tenured Patriot ended up enjoying some stable soccer down the stretch and with Landry restricted on account of damage. His go rush upside stays restricted regardless of 4.0 sacks and 25 complete pressures, however his run protection continues to be prime tier. | Signed (2027 UFA) | $4.87M cap hit
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Elijah Ponder: In a season filled with surprises, Ponder very a lot deserves to be shouted out as properly. Joining the Patriots as a rookie free agent, he not solely performed his approach onto the 53-man roster however in truth grew to become a core a part of the sting rotation. He completed fourth in his place group in snaps and likewise registered 4.0 sacks, 24 pressures. He additionally recovered a team-leading three fumbles for takeaways. | Signed (2028 RFA) | $1.01M cap hit
Bradyn Swinson: A fifth-round draft choose, Swinson confirmed some flashes as a go rusher throughout his rookie coaching camp and preseason. They weren’t sufficient to earn him a spot on the roster, however after a stint on the observe squad served as the idea of him getting promoted to the 53-man crew in mid-November. Swinson completed the yr with 4 in-game appearances and 27 complete defensive snaps. | Signed (2029 UFA) | $1.01M cap hit
In addition to these 5 gamers, the Patriots additionally employed Jahlani Tavai on the sting fairly a bit. With most of his snaps nonetheless coming off the ball, nonetheless, he can be listed within the linebacker part of this sequence later within the week.
Patriots offseason preview
Even although the Patriots have 4 edges underneath contract for 2026 and a mixture of expertise and developmental potential, the place is arguably the largest want on the roster proper now. There are a number of causes for that together with Harold Landry’s age, Ok’Lavon Chaisson’s free company standing, the unclear projection for Elijah Ponder and Bradyn Swinson and the group’s common incapability to supply a constant go rush final season.
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That latter level is why New England must be out there for edge assist each in free company and pretty early within the draft. Fact is, in spite of everything, that the crew completed the season with solely 27 sacks between its edges — a mean of only one.3 per sport.
Re-signing Chaisson and hoping for some pure improvement in Year 2 within the system would possibly present a place to begin if the funds take a look at. However, the long-term outlook would nonetheless stay considerably unclear and is why the crew performing some intense work with the group on the Scouting Combine was no shock: edge seems to be in play on the primary two days of the draft, accurately.
Of course, all of this would possibly change if the crew makes a blockbuster transfer to accumulate rumored trade target Maxx Crosby from the Raiders. Given the projected value related to such a transaction plus the depth of the sting group significantly within the draft, nonetheless, that taking place doesn’t seem to be probably the most sensible path ahead for the Patriots for the time being.