Patriots Defense Filled With Early-Round Draft Picks

The new-look New England Patriots defense is loaded with former early-round NFL Draft selections

Kevin Sinclair | Mar 18, 2025

Sep 16, 2024; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackle Milton Williams (93) in a game against the Atlanta Falcons during the third quarter at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images / Dec 17, 2023; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee Titans linebacker Harold Landry III (58) and linebacker Jack Gibbens (50) celebrate after a defensive stop during the first half against the Houston Texans at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-Imagn Images/ Dec 1, 2024; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New England Patriots cornerback Christian Gonzalez (0) lines up during the second half against the Indianapolis Colts at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-Imagn Images / Nov 5, 2023; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New England Patriots safety Jabrill Peppers (5) celebrates after a play against the Washington Commanders during the first half at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Paul Rutherford-Imagn Images / Sep 25, 2022; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New England Patriots defensive tackle Christian Barmore (90) reacts during the first half against the Baltimore Ravens at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Paul Rutherford-Imagn Images

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New England Patriots

For good reasons, New England Patriots fans are thrilled with the collective additions to the defensive side of the ball.

Throughout the free agency period, New England has accomplished big-time signings in defensive lineman Milton Williams from the Philadelphia Eagles, edge/outside linebacker Harold Landry from the Tennessee Titans, linebacker Robert Spillane from the Las Vegas Raiders and cornerback Carlton Davis from the Detroit Lions.

The Patriots also picked up a quality potential two-deep nose tackle in Khyiris Tonga, who played for the Arizona Cardinals last season. In concert with Christian Barmore, the interior of the New England defensive line will be particularly sturdy in 2025.

Looking at the New England Patriots projected defensive depth chart as of today, that group is made up collectively of former high-round NFL Draft picks.

Below is a look at where each projected starter was selected in past NFL Drafts.

Weak-side end: Keion White - 2nd round (#46) 2023
Nose tackle: Christian Barmore - 2nd round (#38) 2021
Defensive tackle: Milton Williams - 3rd round (#73) 2021
Weak-side linebacker: Harold Landry - 2nd round (#41) 2018
Mike linebacker: Ja'Whuan Bentley - 5th round (#143) 2018
Strong-side linebacker: Robert Spillane - Undrafted in 2018
Cornerback: Carlton Davis - 2nd round (#63) 2018
Cornerback: Christian Gonzalez - 1st round (#17) 2023
Slot DB: Marcus Jones - 3rd round (#85) 2022
Free safety: Jabrill Peppers - 1st round (#27) 2017
Strong safety: Kyle Duggar - 2nd round (#37) 2021

Among 10 of the 11 projected starters listed above that were picked in previous draft, as opposed to finding a way onto an NFL roster as an undrafted free agent, the average draft placement is No. 57 overall, a second-round selection.

Below is a look at the above draft selections per round.

1st: 2
2nd: 5
3rd: 2
4th: -
5th: -
6th: -
7th: -
Undrafted: 1

When it comes to the often-discussed imbalance between the post-free-agency-splurge Patriots roster, it's worth noting the average selection among projected New England starters on offense is No. 113 overall, a fourth-round pick.

Looking ahead to next month, the Patriots own the fourth overall draft pick along with a second-round pick (#38), a pair of third-round selections (#69, #77), a fourth-round pick (#106), a fifth-rounder (#144), and three choices in the seventh round (#217, #220, #238).

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Published Mar 18, 2025

KEVIN SINCLAIR

Kevin Sinclair writes coverage of the Pitt Panthers along with the Baltimore Ravens, the New England Patriots, the Pittsburgh Steelers, and the Tennessee Titans for On SI. Previously, he was a recruiting reporter and managing editor at Irish Illustrated, the privately-owned Notre Dame site within the 247Sports Network, for over seven-and-a-half years. Kevin studied multimedia journalism and has been a sports writer for nearly a decade.