#new-england-patriots

#new-england-patriots

as Vrabel engineered a masterful offseason, one for the ages. One key acquisition was his drafting left tackle Will Campbell with his first Patriots draft pick. Yet Campbell has been on IR of late, and a key call by Vrabel will be whether he practices this week now that he's eligible and maybe plays against Miami. Campbell had played well in his rookie season until he sprained his MCL in the game against the Bengals in Week 14.

If anyone suggested at the start of the 2025 season that the New England Patriots would win the AFC East in Week 17 with an NFL-high 13-3 record, they would have surely been laughed at, and not just because they were coming off back to back seasons with just four wins, but also due to the expected continued rise of the Buffalo Bills, who have owned the division since 2020.

The New England Patriots have one of the youngest cores in football, headlined by 2025 Pro Bowlers Drake Maye and Christian Gonzalez. Their rookie class has been a huge reason for their success, and they have the chance to add to their squad even further through the upcoming draft. There's still plenty of time until they'll have their focus on selecting the next young crop of players, but they are no doubt excited about the prospect of continuing to add to their current group.

The Patriots' second-round pick in 2020 had become a prominent part of their defense over the five years he was part of the team, which earned him an extension last offseason. But a rough 2024 season, plagued by a misdiagnosed injury, hurt his chances of remaining on the roster under Vrabel, and he wasn't able to prove his value to the team with the opportunities he was given.

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- The New England Patriots will be without five starters for Sunday's road game against the New York Jets, according to head coach Mike Vrabel, but there's still a chance rookie running back TreVeyon Henderson is available as he progresses through concussion protocol. Among the starters already ruled out are wide receivers Kayshon Boutte (concussion) and Mack Hollins (abdomen); defensive end Harold Landry III (knee); linebacker Robert Spillane (ankle) and left guard Jared Wilson (concussion).

Khyiris Tonga was added as a nose tackle, and the team traded up in the fourth round for Florida State's Joshua Farmer. The defensive line is far improved, and what New England has gotten out of their depth has been particularly impressive. Tonga has had the best season of his career, and Farmer has been noticeable in his limited snaps. Practice squad elevation Cory Durden has played over 300 snaps and is PFF's seventh-best pass rusher at the position.

The New England Patriots were free agency's biggest spender last offseason, and by some margin. Those free agent additions have paid off in a big way, as New England sits atop the AFC East with an 11-3 record. Offensively, Stefon Diggs, Mack Hollins, and Morgan Moses have helped bolster their firepower with Drake Maye leading the charge, while Milton Williams, Harold Landry, and Robert Spillane were the notable additions on defense. Carlton Davis also inked a $20 million-per-year deal.

The New England Patriots clinched a playoff berth with a 28-24 win over the Baltimore Ravens on SNF, a huge victory that will see them return to the postseason for the first time since 2021. With two games left, they control their own destiny in the division, with the opportunity to take the AFC East crown from Buffalo for the first time since 2019.

"I think we're pretty resilient," Vrabel said of his team after the 28-24 rally to defeat Baltimore. "I think we've got a bunch of guys that can help on any given night."