"AFC sleeper alert! The Patriots are much better in nearly all areas compared with last season. After finishing with the fewest sacks in the NFL last season (28), the defense improved by signing DT Milton Williams, edge Harold Landry III, LB Robert Spillane and CB Carlton Davis III. Second-year QB Drake Maye will have wide receiver Stefon Diggs and rookie running back TreVeyon Henderson as options. And Mike Vrabel replaced Jerod Mayo as head coach."
"Top teams from 2024 will usually be predicted to stay at or near the top, especially if they have that most important of commodities on hand, a franchise quarterback, as the New England Patriots do in Drake Maye. Teams like the Kansas City Chiefs and the Baltimore Ravens, which boast NFL MVP-level quarterbacks, will always be ranked at or near the very top."
Preseason expectations favor teams with franchise quarterbacks and recent success, while last-place clubs usually face long rebuilds. The New England Patriots stumbled to a combined 7-27 record across 2023-24 but underwent a major offseason transformation. Mike Vrabel replaced Jerod Mayo and cleared roster spots while adding talent across the defense and offense. Defensive additions include Milton Williams, Harold Landry III, Robert Spillane and Carlton Davis III. Offensively, second-year quarterback Drake Maye gains weapons in Stefon Diggs and rookie running back TreVeyon Henderson. These coaching and roster changes significantly raise the Patriots' competitiveness and position them as an AFC sleeper candidate for 2025.
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