Patriots Roster Breakdown: Defensive Line
Breaking down the Patriots' revamped defensive line ahead of the 2025 season — a mix of rising talent, veteran leadership, and a new coaching vision under Mike Vrabel and Terrell Williams.
The Defensive Line
Throughout the history of football, controlling the line of scrimmage has been one of the few constants prerequisites to winning games. In any era, regardless of the rules, the ability to apply pressure with your defensive line and hold gaps in the run game is fundamental to success. Super Bowl LIX, just last year, the Philadelphia Eagles offered a great example of how a dominant defensive line can carry a team to the promised land.
Entering the 2025 season, there’s plenty to be excited about on the Patriots' defensive line. The group features several young players with high upside—flashes of real potential, though still working toward consistent production. There’s also renewed optimism thanks to the new coaching staff, led by former NFL linebacker Mike Vrabel, who brought in longtime colleague and veteran coach Terrell Williams to serve as defensive coordinator. Williams, a former defensive line coach with 27 years of experience—13 in the NFL—worked under Vrabel in Tennessee, where he eventually rose to the role of Assistant Head Coach along with his defensive line duties.
Williams preaches violence, and with his expertise on the defensive line, it's encouraging to think about how he might mold the young group currently on the roster. Let’s break down the players listed as defensive ends and defensive tackles on the roster and talk about their fit and potential in the upcoming season.
Christian Barmore
6’5” 315 lbs
Age: 25
2024 Stats: 4 Games, 6 Tackles, 1 Sack
The biggest thing holding Barmore back is his health. It’s an unfortunate situation, given the timeline of events. Barmore’s 2023 season saw true ascension into one of the game’s elite interior disruptors: 64 total tackles, 8.5 sacks, 16 QB hits, and a forced fumble. He was rewarded for his efforts on April 30, 2024, by signing a 4-year, $83M contract extension.
Three months later, in late July, he was diagnosed with blood clots that put his season—and potentially his career—in jeopardy. Barmore returned to action late last season in November and appeared in four games total. He experienced a setback with his condition that placed him back on the reserve/non-football injury list in December.
With a full offseason to recover, it appears Barmore has made progress. He’s been an active participant in offseason voluntary workouts, and all indications are that he will continue to participate as the offseason schedule ramps up.
How high is Barmore’s ceiling? From a production standpoint, I see him in line with Chris Jones of the Kansas City Chiefs. Now, I know Jones has Hall of Fame aspirations—and for good reason, given his three Super Bowls and clutch playmaking—but I’m talking about production alone. Over his nine-year career, Jones’ 17-game average is 38 total tackles, 10 sacks, and 2 forced fumbles, per Pro Football Reference. Given Barmore’s 2023 season and the coaching he’ll be receiving, I believe that’s attainable.
Marcus Harris
6’2” 298 lbs
Age: 24
2024 Stats: N/A
Marcus Harris was a 7th-round draft pick by the Houston Texans in 2024. He was waived at the end of training camp and subsequently signed to their practice squad. In October, Harris was released from the Texans' practice squad and quickly picked up by the Patriots, who added him to their own practice squad.
He wasn’t elevated to the 53-man roster and therefore didn’t appear in any games. As a prospect, Harris was seen as a smaller interior lineman who made up for his size with athleticism and strength. Given the veteran depth at his position on the Patriots roster, he faces an uphill battle to establish himself and earn a spot this summer.
Eric Johnson II
6’4” 320 lbs
Age: 26
2024 Stats: 11 Games, 17 Tackles, 0 Sacks
Eric Johnson was claimed off waivers at the end of training camp in 2024 from the Indianapolis Colts. He served as a rotational defensive lineman in a limited role for New England throughout the season. He was named Practice Player of the Week twice, which speaks to the effort he displayed behind the scenes.
As a rotational piece, it will be worth watching how much of an opportunity Johnson gets under the new coaching staff. With a new defensive scheme coming in, it’s worth wondering if a player like Johnson is a fit.
Truman Jones
6’3” 255 lbs
Age: 24
2024 Stats: 1 Game, 2 Tackles, 0 Sacks
Truman Jones—a Harvard man. After spending the first two and a half years of his career with Kansas City, Jones found his way back to New England, signing to the practice squad in December 2024. He was elevated and played in the season finale against Buffalo, where he registered two tackles.
Jones is a bottom-of-the-roster rotational piece who will need a strong spring and summer for a chance to stick around.
Jeremiah Pharms Jr.
6’2” 300 lbs
Age: 28
2024 Stats: 16 Games, 5 Starts, 33 Tackles, 2 Sacks
Jeremiah Pharms has been a contributing rotational piece of the Patriots' defensive line over the last two seasons. Playing in 28 games over that span, Pharms has developed from a practice squad elevator to a 53-man roster staple.
The question for Pharms is how he’ll fit into the new defensive scheme—and whether he can continue his upward trajectory. Assuming he fits, Pharms should have opportunities to make the team this season and rotate into games, keeping the pressure on opposing quarterbacks fresh.
Jaquelin Roy
6’3” 305 lbs
Age: 24
2024 Stats: 6 Games, 1 Start, 17 Tackles, 2 Sacks
Jaquelin Roy popped last year in limited snaps. After joining the Patriots as a free agent following the end of training camp, Roy spent the first month of the season on the practice squad. On October 6, 2024, he was signed to the 53-man roster. In his first two games, he notched a sack in each.
Roy then started his third game against Jacksonville, totaling five tackles. An injury a few weeks later derailed his season and eventually landed him on season-ending IR in December. The former LSU Tiger is just a solid football player. If he can stay healthy, I’m interested to see what he can do under Terrell Williams' guidance.
Khyiris Tonga
6’2” 335 lbs
Age: 28
2024 Stats (with Arizona): 13 Games, 1 Start, 22 Tackles
Khyiris Tonga is a member of the Patriots’ 2025 free agent class. He signed a one-year, $2.1M contract on March 14. Given Mike Vrabel and Terrell Williams' past success in Tennessee with Jeffery Simmons (6’4” 305 lbs), it’s fair to assume Tonga has been brought in to be the big body in the middle—someone to eat up space.
His ability to do this will allow the linebackers to flow into their gaps, creating a more sound defense. While Tonga’s contract doesn’t make him a lock to make the roster, he was clearly signed with a role in mind.
Keion White
6’5” 285 lbs
Age: 26
2024 Stats: 17 Games, 13 Starts, 56 Tackles, 5 Sacks, 2 Forced Fumbles
Everything is in front of Keion White. He’s big, athletic, strong, and has a knack for disrupting offenses. White is also a cerebral player who craves hard coaching and direction. Even after a productive sophomore season, it was clear from his media comments that he was wavering in his buy-in to the team’s direction.
*Enter known players’ coach and badass Mike Vrabel*.
Vrabel is exactly the type of coach who can get the most out of a player like White and help him reach his potential.
In a perfect world, the trio of Barmore, White, and Williams is enough to overwhelm most offensive lines and create serious havoc in the backfield.
Milton Williams
6’3” 290 lbs
Age: 26
2024 Stats (for Philadelphia): 17 Games, 7 Starts, 24 Tackles, 5 Sacks, 1 Forced Fumble
What a year for Milton Williams. He was part of a dominant Philadelphia Eagles defense that played its best in the biggest moments and won a Super Bowl. Then, he signed a 4-year, $104M contract with the Patriots—the largest contract in team history.
While his stats from last year won’t blow you away, keep in mind he was rotating with other premier players like Jalen Carter, Jordan Davis, Brandon Graham, and Nolan Smith. Williams is ready for a larger role, and the Patriots are ready to give it to him. As the crown jewel of the Patriots’ 2025 free agent class, Williams will be expected to bring championship pedigree and a winning culture back to New England.
Draft/Final Thoughts
The Patriots were active in free agency this offseason, especially on defense. Unlike the offense, there’s a healthy mix of youth and experience here, along with both depth and talent. But more can still be added.
It wouldn’t be a surprise to see the Patriots add to their defensive line in this upcoming draft, especially since both edge and interior line positions are deep with talent. We’ve seen the blueprint (see: Philadelphia Eagles, Super Bowl LIX champs) of what a dominant D-line can do. The Patriots appear to have the building blocks—and now, the coaching—to get there.