The following is an excerpt from Warren Sharp's 2025 Football Preview book. In addition to Warren's deep, detailed write-up on all 32 NFL teams, each chapter features page after page of full-color charts, stats, and heatmaps as well as defensive previews from Raymond Summerlin. Click here for a full FREE chapter from the 2025 Football Preview.
While offenses dominate NFL discussion, the other side of the ball plays a large role
With the 2025 NFL season fast approaching, let's look at the defense of the New England Patriots and preview how it might perform this season.
2025 New England Patriots Defense
The Patriots struggled to contain running backs last season, finishing 26th in yards per carry allowed on RB runs (4.6) and 29th in average yards before contact allowed on those carries (1.7).
The defensive front should look a lot different this year with Milton Williams added to the fold and a hopefully healthy Christian Barmore. Even if both of those guys work out, there are depth concerns up front.
New England finished dead last in sacks and 31st in pressure rate last season, which is basically all that needs to be said when talking about the EDGE group.
The Patriots did reunite new coach Mike Vrabel with Harold Landry and brought in K’Lavon Chaisson to help shore up the unit.
Anfernee Jennings is a bigger factor against the run rather than an impact pass rusher.
A second-round pick in 2023, Keion White is the upside factor here after taking a step forward in his second season.
Robert Spillane was another addition during the Patriots’ big spending spree on defense, and he will likely end up being a good one at linebacker.
While he is not a standout in coverage, Spillane should go a long way to solidifying a run defense that struggled in 2024.
The Raiders tried to return the favor by signing Christian Elliss to an offer sheet, but New England matched to keep the young linebacker around.
The Patriots did not give up a ton of pass production because teams did not need to throw against them, and their 7.0 yards per attempt allowed ranked a respectable 15th in the league.
Still, they were 29th in defensive success rate against the pass and EPA per opponent pass, so it was not all roses.
Christian Gonzalez picked up where he left off in his shortened rookie season, finishing 19th among qualified corners in yards per target allowed with 11 passes defended.
New England added help for Gonzalez in free agency, signing Carlton Davis to a big contract.
Davis has struggled to stay on the field throughout his career. When active, though, he is a quality option with a lot of experience.
New England is also solid at the No. 3 spot with 2022 third-round pick Marcus Jones.
The Patriots have the entire safety group from last season returning, and they added some experienced depth with Marcus Epps.
If looking for concerns, Kyle Dugger is coming off a lackluster season in which he allowed 6 touchdowns and a 137.4 quarterback rating in coverage, and Jabrill Peppers was limited to six games because of injuries and suspension.
This analysis continues in the 2025 Football Preview
Order Warren Sharp's 2025 Football Preview to get defensive analysis for all 32 NFL teams.
Warren Sharp’s 550+ page full-color PDF, the 2025 Football Preview, is unlike anything you have previously read. Stunning visualizations, including new heat maps, are built with the reader in mind. Innovative, next-level thought process abounds in every team chapter and article.
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Warren Sharp's book shares insights into the players, coaches, teams, and philosophies with one goal: to prepare you for the 2025 NFL season with the smartest information delivered in the fastest, most direct way possible for optimal reviewing and retention.
- Team Chapters previews are in-depth, data driven & full of actionable info
- Fantasy Football player profiles, predictions, and ranks
- Vegas Odds forecast team wins, division rankings, lines for all 2025 games
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- Front Office Analysis positional spending, roster construction & cap analysis
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- Rookie draft class deep dive into impact for every team
- Rankings for every positional unit on every team with analysis
