New England's 2024 roster suffered multiple offensive problems and a league-worst pass rush with only 28 sacks. Injuries and departures weakened the defensive front: Christian Barmore played just two games, Keion White faded after an early surge to finish with five sacks, and Deatrich Wise left. The offseason focused on upgrading the pass rush with high-graded interior defenders and improved edge options. Milton Williams boasts a 91.7 PFF pass-rush grade, Christian Barmore returns with an 84.9 2023 grade, Jeremiah Pharms re-signed, and additions like Harold Landry and K'Lavon Chaisson aim to bolster outside pressure.
The 2024 Patriots were riddled with problems. The offensive line struggled to block, receivers had trouble getting open, Rhamondre Stevenson couldn't hold on to the football, and the list goes on. One of the most important issues the team addressed this offseason was the pass rush. With 28 sacks the entire season, the team's performance was a depressing stat that pegged them last in the entire league.
The pass rush should be much better this season, at least on paper. Milton Williams has the highest pass rush grade according to PFF of all defensive tackles, at 91.7. The only other player to eclipse the 90 mark was Chris Jones. Christian Barmore will also return: his 84.9 PFF pass rush grade in 2023 (his last full season) would have slotted him fourth in the league this season, above Jalen Carter and Jeffery Simmons.
While the coaching of Jerod Mayo and DeMarcus Covington may not have been elite, the personnel across the defensive line last year was abhorrent. Christian Barmore managed just two games, and Keion White's electric four sacks in the first two games came to a sudden stop as he finished with just five total on the year. Deatrich Wise departed, and he was joint first with White on the team in sacks.
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