- Improvement in every category: The Patriots' defensive line has been near the top of the league in pass-rush win rate and pressures through two games.
- Not just Milton Williams: Players like Harold Landry III, Christian Barmore and Khyiris Tonga have also contributed.
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Estimated Reading Time: 4 minutes
After a dismal 2024 season with struggles on both sides of the line of scrimmage, the New England Patriots overhauled both their roster and coaching staff. If the first two weeks are any reflection, those investments paid off — especially in terms of their defensive line.
A year ago, the Patriots’ defense ranked 30th in EPA per play and 21st in success rate. While problems extended throughout all three levels of the unit, not getting after the quarterback was a major culprit. New England sat 31st in pressure rate, tied for 30th in total pressures generated and tied for 28th in team PFF pass-rushing grade.
Consequently, executive vice president of player personnel Eliot Wolf loaded up along his front. Wolf signed Milton Williams to a four-year, $104 million mega-deal as well as reunited Harold Landry III with Mike Vrabel from his days with the Titans. The pair joined Christian Barmore, who sought a return to form after playing just 123 snaps due to blood clots in 2024.
So far, Vrabel’s new defensive line has been a force to be reckoned with. Against the Raiders and Dolphins, the Patriots combined for 36 pressures — the 12th-most in football — with 30 coming from the team’s defensive linemen and edge rushers.
More specifically, New England’s overhauled defensive line sits fifth in team PFF pass-rushing grade (with additional games remaining in Week 2), sixth in team pass-rush win rate and 13th in pass-rushing productivity. Additionally, the entire team slots ninth in team PFF pass-rushing grade in the early going, a notable step up.
Williams, fresh off a Super Bowl ring with the Eagles, has been as good as advertised. The interior defender tallied four pressures on a 22.6% pass-rush win rate in Week 1 and followed it up with an even better outing in Week 2. In Miami, Williams collected five pressures, an 80.5 PFF pass-rushing grade and two sacks — including one of Tua Tagovailoa on fourth down with the game in the balance.
It hasn’t been exclusively Williams, though. Landry has collected 10 pressures through two games after a career-worst season from a pass-rushing standpoint in 2024. Barmore has been impactful with four pressures and a pass-rush win rate above 16.7% in both of the first two games. Even the unheralded Khyiris Tonga has emerged with a 15.4% pass-rush win rate or better through the first two contests across 24 total pass-rushing snaps.
As New England’s offense looks to find its footing under Drake Maye, a revamped offensive line, several new skill-position players and a reunion with offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels, its pass rush may be able to provide an anchor. The sample size is still admittedly limited, but the Patriots’ defensive line is playing like one of the most improved units — and better pass-rush contingents — in the NFL.
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