- Head Coach: Mike Vrabel (first season)
- PFF projected win total: 8.0
- 2024 Record: 4-13 (fourth in AFC East)
Biggest Strength: Defense
The Patriots leveraged their financial resources to enhance their defense this offseason and appear to now possess a unit with legitimate stars at all three levels.
Former Eagle Milton Williams, who led the NFL in PFF pass-rush grade in 2024, and a healthy Christian Barmore could form a dominant interior duo. Ex-Raider Robert Spillane ranked sixth among qualified linebackers with an 87.3 PFF run-defense grade last season. Christian Gonzalez and Carlton Davis III each finished among the top 25 qualified cornerbacks in PFF coverage grade, too.
Biggest Weakness: Offensive Line
The Patriots’ offensive line was the lowest-graded unit in the league by nearly 10 points. The hope this season is that several new contributors will turn the unit's fortunes around. First-round draft pick Will Campbell will start at left tackle. Ex-Viking Garrett Bradbury and third-round pick Jared Wilson will try to help the interior unit. Veteran Morgan Moses was acquired to play right tackle, though he is coming off his lowest-graded season as a starter.
Quarterback Spotlight: Drake Maye
- 2024 PFF Grade: 70.1
- Key Stat: 67.4 PFF passing grade on 10-plus-yard throws (second lowest among QBs with at least 80 attempts)
Considering he was playing alongside the league’s lowest-graded offensive line and wide receiver unit, Maye showcased solid football across 13 appearances last season. Among his highlights was his 82.9 PFF rushing grade that ranked seventh among qualified quarterbacks. He also committed just two turnover-worthy plays in his final four starts after racking up 14 in his previous seven. New England is hoping to see Maye’s full capabilities with an improved supporting cast.
Offensive Player: WR Stefon Diggs
Before suffering a season-ending knee injury, Diggs was on his way to another excellent season in Houston. He racked up nearly 500 yards in the team’s first eight games, and his 79.7 PFF receiving grade finished tied for 23rd among qualified wide receivers. Diggs isn’t quite the deep threat he used to be, but he knows how to separate from defenders, whether he is aligned outside or in the slot.
Defensive Player: DI Milton Williams
Williams played a starring role in Philadelphia’s Super Bowl run last season, pacing all defensive tackles in PFF pass-rush grade (91.7). He also led the NFL in PFF pass-rush grade and pass-rush win rate on true pass sets. Williams parlayed that outstanding performance into a lucrative contract worth $26 million per year. He and Christian Barmore have a chance to form one of the most dynamic interior defender pairs in the NFL.
Rookie to Watch: T Will Campbell
Fourth overall pick Will Campbell is in line to start at left tackle for the Patriots after an outstanding career at LSU. Campbell earned at least a 77.0 PFF pass-blocking grade in each of his three seasons in Baton Rouge while allowing just four sacks in his career. His cerebral approach and excellent technique could make for an easy transition to the NFL.
Fantasy Spotlight: WR DeMario Douglas, New England Patriots
Douglas, the Patriots' sixth-round pick in 2023, showed flashes of potential, particularly after earning a larger role midway through the 2023 season, when he played at least 70% of New England’s snaps when healthy.
Despite rarely finishing as a top-24 receiver in any given week, he ranked sixth among all receivers over the past two seasons with 0.235 avoided tackles per reception while also showcasing a high single-coverage open rate. This indicates that, given increased opportunity, he could be a very effective player.
Offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels, who has a track record of featuring slot receivers like Douglas, could funnel significant targets to Douglas, making him one of the best late-round wide receiver options for fantasy football.
Best Bet: RB Rhamondre Stevenson to go over 5.5 rushing touchdowns (-115)
Although the Patriots overhauled their roster this offseason, Stevenson shouldn’t be overlooked in the mix. A revamped offensive line should help him find space in the running game much more easily this season. While TreVeyon Henderson will likely cut into the overall workload, the veteran back will be heavily featured near the goal line, as five of his seven scores last season came in goal-to-go situations.
Bottom Line
The Patriots enter the 2025 season with an improved roster and coaching staff. They should win more than the four games that they did last season, but any postseason hopes rest with the development of Drake Maye and a very young offense that will take time to jell.
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