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The New England Patriots were proactive in building around their young foundation this offseason, turning over every stone to upgrade the roster for another playoff push in 2026.
When the dust settled, New England welcomed 45 new players onto the preliminary 90-man roster that will be taken into training camp. From All-Pro level starters to rookie minicamp tryouts, each of those new faces will look to disrupt the status quo of a team fresh off a Super Bowl LX appearance.
We began our examination of the most crucial battleground positions at Patriots training camp yesterday with a look at the offense. Today, we’re flipping sides of the ball.
Here are five position battles to watch for on defense during New England Patriots’ training camp 2026:
Currently Rostered (9): Amari Gainer, Xavier Holmes (Rookie), Gabe Jacas (Rookie), Dre’Mont Jones, Harold Landry III, Jesse Luketa, Elijah Ponder, Bradyn Swinson, Quintayvious Hutchins (Rookie)
Jul 23, 2025; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots edge Elijah Ponder (91) walks to the practice field for training camp at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-Imagn Images
There have been many questions surrounding New England’s edge defender position since the beginning of the 2026 offseason. Heading into training camp, many of those questions still remain.
The Patriots ranked 24th in the NFL in pressure rate in 2025, even with the likes of Milton Williams and Christian Barmore both registering top-10 pressure rates among interior defenders. The team only had two players record five-plus sacks: Harold Landry III (8.5) and K’Lavon Chaisson (7.5). Undrafted Rookie Free Agent (UDFA) Elijah Ponder (4.0) finished with the third-highest sack total, followed by Williams (3.5) and Barmore (2.0). Marcus Jones and Anfernee Jennings (released in March) also finished the regular season with two sacks.
The lack of a consistent pass rush was problematic for New England all season long, and while they found ways to facilitate the rush with a high blitz rate in the postseason, that level of aggressiveness isn’t sustainable throughout an entire season.
This offseason, the Patriots made several transactions to change the landscape of the room, but it is still unclear how those changes will take hold. K’Lavon Chaisson’s 7.5 sacks (12.0 including the playoffs) were a career-best mark and earned him a new contract with the Washington Commanders, while New England brought in Dre’Mont Jones as a more stout defender against the run.
At 6’3”, 281 lbs., Jones has the flexibility to align on the edge or interior of the Patriots’ defensive line, and the team is hoping he rectifies their deficiencies setting the edge against the run on early downs — as was on display on several Kenneth Walker breakaway runs in Super Bowl LX. Jones is coming off of a career-best year in sacks (7.0) and pressures (51) in 2025.
New England is hopeful that Landry also returns to form, but he’s yet to take the field this spring. Originally drafted by Vrabel as the head coach of the Tennessee Titans, Landry was the first player to ink a deal during Vrabel’s tenure in Foxboro. He got off to a hot start in 2025 with 22 pressures and 6 sacks in his first five games, but a Week 6 knee injury limited him for the remainder of the season and his production totals suffered. Landry’s health will be worth monitoring in camp, although there may not be a real indication of where he’s at physically until the start of the regular season.
Without Landry on the field, Elijah Ponder assumed the role of first-team edge rusher opposite Jones through spring workouts. Ponder’s role within the defense grew with each passing week in 2025, and the undrafted rookie’s performance culminated in an AFC Championship Game fumble recovery that set up the Patriots’ only touchdown of the contest. The coaching staff has since praised Ponder’s development through the offseason, and he looks primed for a more significant snap share in 2026. Ponder’s athleticism (9.70 Relative Athletic Score) could be an asset for the team’s pass rush if he continues to make strides.
After trading up in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft to select offensive tackle Caleb Lomu, New England traded up again in the second round to address their edge needs further. The Patriots selected Gabe Jacas with the 55th overall pick on April 24, but he has yet to take the field in Foxboro.
Jacas is the only second round pick in the 2026 draft to not yet sign their rookie contract, and is the only New England rookie without a formal agreement in place. He has been recovering from an offseason knee procedure away from team facilities for the better part of the spring, and it has been reported that other teams flagged him for separate shoulder, knee, and foot injuries during pre-draft medical evaluations.
When Jacas does begin to participate, he’ll be playing catch up for the better part of training camp — learning the playbook and his position-specific responsibilities while adjusting to the physicality of the professional level. Whatever role he was set to play in the edge room will likely be diminished to begin the season, but he has all the tools to earn more reps as the year progresses.
A former two-time state wrestling champion, the edge rusher recorded 27 sacks and 142 pressures in 50 career games with the Illinois Fighting Illini, and worked extensively with former Patriots’ pass rush consultant Joe Kim to polish his technique. His size (6’4”, 261 lbs.), athleticism (9.59 Relative Athletic Score), and physicality match the identity of New England’s new-look defense under Vrabel, but it remains to be seen how that translates to his playing time as a rookie.
Jacas will likely start behind Ponder and split reps with Bradyn Swinson, but has the opportunity to earn a more significant role by impressing early.
Swinson was a fifth-round selection by the Patriots in the 2025 NFL Draft (146th overall) after spending the pre-draft process as a consensus top-100 prospect. The LSU product showed all of the tools to be an effective pass rusher at the next level, but reportedly dropped down boards due to maturity concerns. After turning down offers to be signed off of New England’s practice squad last season, Swinson enters 2026 fresh off of a year focused on his development, and has turned heads this spring. He could be the wild card in the rotation, but is largely still an unknown.
Ponder, Jacas, and Swinson will be jockeying for position behind Jones and Landry at training camp — but with Landry and Jacas’ availability still in question, the door remains open for other young players to make a push for a roster spot.
Amari Gainer was a practice squad addition late in 2025, while Jesse Luketa was signed in free agency, and rookies Quintayvious Hutchins (seventh round, 247th overall) and Xavier Holmes (UDFA) were added to the roster during draft season. They’ll look to disrupt the edge room and make a name for themselves on special teams during training camp.
Currently Rostered (9): Christian Barmore, David Blay Jr. (Rookie), Cory Durden, Joshua Farmer, Eric Gregory, Jeremiah Pharms Jr., Travis Shaw (Rookie), Leonard Taylor III, Milton Williams
Jun 2, 2026; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots defensive tackle Cory Durden (94) speaks at a press conference after practice at the team's OTA at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-Imagn Images
Khyiris Tonga provided immense value as the team’s primary nose tackle on the one-year, $2.1 million contract he signed with the Patriots last offseason. His performance earned him a three-year, $21 million deal with the Kansas City Chiefs in free agency this March, but left New England without a direct replacement.
While New England's roster is ripe with talent along the interior of the defensive line, Mike Vrabel's scheme is built on lighter defensive tackles that specialize in a three-technique over the guard, rather than larger defensive tackles that play at the zero or one-technique over the center. Milton Williams (6'3", 290 lbs.) and Christian Barmore (6'5", 315 lbs.) are perfect examples of these types of players — those who win with a wider alignment by penetrating and creating disruption in the offensive backfield, rather than using their size and leverage at the line of scrimmage to plug holes for opposing rushers.
Of the other interior defensive linemen on the roster, Eric Gregory profiles to be the best candidate from a size standpoint (6’4”, 320 lbs.), but may not be the leader to assume those reps lost by Tonga over the center.
Cory Durden (6’4”, 305 lbs.) was effective for New England late into the season and through the team’s playoff run when Tonga was sidelined due to injury. Durden may have a smaller build than Gregory, but plays with the effort and finish required to become a dependable player at the position and gain the favor of the coaching staff.
2025 fourth round pick Joshua Farmer (137th overall) showed potential as a run-stopper before landing on season-ending injured reserve on December 23, but also has a more slender build for the role at 6’3”, 312 lbs. Leonard Taylor III (6’3”, 305 lbs.) and UDFA David Blay Jr. (6’2”, 292 lbs.) may also factor into the competition at nose tackle, but carry similar deficiencies in size. Blay played primarily at nose tackle in college, but will likely have to shift toward a role more akin to Williams at that weight in the pros.
A dark horse candidate to watch for at this position is UDFA Travis Shaw, who was signed late in the offseason process after rookie minicamp had already concluded. Standing at 6’5”, 334 lbs., Shaw fits the suit of a professional nose tackle, but remains an unknown — for now.
Whether it be Durden, Shaw, or some mixture of the other interior defensive linemen, the Patriots don’t look to have a one-for-one substitute for the production Tonga gave them in 2025.
We’ll see how the run defense looks without one.
Currently Rostered (7): K.J. Britt, Christian Elliss, Khalil Jacobs (Rookie), Chad Muma, Namdi Obiazor (Rookie), Otis Reese IV, Robert Spillane
Jun 2, 2026; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots linebacker Namdi Obiazor (48) works with the coaching staff during the team's OTA at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-Imagn Images
New England’s starting off-ball linebackers are set with the return of Robert Spillane at Mike and Christian Elliss at Will. Much like the other positions on this list, the depth behind the starters features newcomers looking to make a statement.
In 2025, Jack Gibbens took meaningful reps down the stretch of the season as Spillane worked his way through an ankle sprain that sidelined him for portions of the regular season and playoffs. Gibbens signed with the Arizona Cardinals this offseason as a restricted free agent, and the Patriots signed K.J. Britt to replace him as the first sub linebacker.
Britt has been on and off the practice field with his own injuries this spring, which has led to Chad Muma — a former third round pick by the Indianapolis Colts — wearing the green dot for stretches of OTAs and minicamp.
Trailing Elliss at Will was formerly Marte Mapu — a safety converted to linebacker who saw most of his snaps as a sub-package defender on obvious passing downs. Mapu was traded to the Houston Texans this offseason in exchange for a 2027 sixth round pick.
In his stead, New England turned to the NFL Draft, and added Namdi Obiazor in the sixth round (212th overall) and Khalil Jacobs as a UDFA. Obiazor converted to linebacker from safety at TCU and both profile similar to Mapu from a size and athleticism standpoint. Neither took a significant number of reps during team periods this spring, but both made the most of the limited opportunities they received — with Jacobs receiving praise for his coverage skills.
Britt and Muma bring some experience as the third and fourth off-ball linebackers on the roster, but questions remain beyond that. The Patriots could go light off-ball and roster only four. They could also roster five or six linebackers if the rookies begin to impress.
As of now, Obiazor would have to be considered the leader to make a push for a spot on the 53-man roster because of his similarities to Mapu, but Jacobs may be closing that gap quickly. New England didn’t explore other avenues to find a direct replacement for the departed — although that may still be on the table as training camp nears.
Regardless, there will be questions about the depth of this group until proven otherwise.
Currently Rostered (11): Channing Canada (Rookie), Brandon Crossley, Carlton Davis III, Marcellas Dial Jr., Christian Gonzalez, Kenneth Harris (Rookie), Marcus Jones, Kobee Minor, Karon Prunty (Rookie), Kindle Vildor, Charles Woods
Jun 10, 2026; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots cornerback Karon Prunty (21) and cornerback Kenneth Harris (36) do a drill during minicamp at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-Imagn Images
The Patriots lay claim to one of the NFL’s top starting corner trios with Christian Gonzalez, Carlton Davis III, and Marcus Jones.
Beyond those three were an unstable rotation of supporting cast players trying to carve out a role last season. This year, it may be more of the same.
Free agent signing Kindle Vildor has run with the first-team defense for much of the spring in the absences of Gonzalez and Davis, and has been frequently joined on the boundary by 2026 fifth round pick Karon Prunty (171st overall).
Those two are the likely players to beat when it comes to the bottom of the corner depth chart, with 2025 acquisitions Charles Woods and Kobee Minor pushing to disrupt that. Marcellas Dial Jr. has previously shown flashes with solid training camp performances, but is still recovering from a torn ACL that kept him sidelined last year. Brandon Crossley spent time with New England’s practice squad in 2025, and is a candidate to do so again in 2026.
The rest of the room is filled with unknowns in UDFAs Channing Canada and Kenneth Harris, but as the Patriots look to secure more stability behind their starters, training camp will be their best opportunity to impress.
As of now, the fourth and fifth cornerback roles look to be Vildor and Prunty’s to lose, but that can change quickly. This remains a position to monitor through camp.
Currently Rostered (7): Mike Brown, Kevin Byard III, Peter Manuma (Rookie), Dell Pettus, John Saunders Jr., Brenden Schooler, Craig Woodson
Jun 10, 2026; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots safety Mike Brown (33) arrives at the practice field for minicamp at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-Imagn Images
Prior to New England’s trade for A.J. Brown, the signing of Kevin Byard III in free agency may have been the team’s most significant upgrade at a starting position this offseason.
The reigning Associated Press First Team All-Pro and NFL’s interception leader now pairs with standout sophomore Craig Woodson to command the third-level of the Patriots defense, creating a new strength for the unit as a whole.
The depth behind the starters at safety is questionable, however, as was the case in 2025.
Dell Pettus returns as a developing defensive back that began to earn more reps as the season progressed, with Brenden Schooler set to resume his role as a core special teams player. John Saunders Jr. was signed to the practice squad late last season, but to this point, none of the three have done enough to warrant consideration as a regular contributor in the group.
Free agent signing Mike Brown has impressed through the offseason program and may be considered the leader for the third safety role by the time training camp begins. The former Cleveland Brown and Tennessee Titan has played sparingly on defense through this point of his career, but could forge a new path for himself in Foxboro.
If Schooler is a lock as a special teamer and Brown is taking over as the first safety off the bench, that may spell the end for Dell Pettus. In 2025, New England rostered four safeties including Schooler for the vast majority of the year, with Jaylinn Hawkins, Woodson, and Pettus as the top three.
The Patriots could have simply been caught in the midst of massive roster turnover at the position last year with the exits of Jabrill Peppers and Kyle Dugger, leading to a four safety approach when those situations resolved. If they opt to roster a fifth safety in 2026 — which opens the door for Pettus or UDFA Peter Manuma to make a run at the final spot — it would change the math greatly elsewhere.
How the bottom of the safety room takes shape will be one of the more interesting camp battles to watch, and a position where the team needs a more consistent rotational piece. Right now, it’s for the taking.
Currently Rostered (1): Bryce Baringer
Jun 9, 2025; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots punter Bryce Baringer (17) walks to the practice fields at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-Imagn Images
The Patriots currently only have one punter rostered, with Bryce Baringer set to enter the final year of his rookie contract in 2026.
Baringer has performed well through his three years in Foxboro with a career net yards per punt average of 41.0 and inside-the-20 percentage of 41.1%. Still, with no long-term extension in place, this would be the offseason that Baringer sees real competition brought into the room. If he wins his camp battle, he’d be resigned to an extension. If not, the team would be one step closer to finding a long-term replacement.
Through this point of the offseason, that has yet to happen — but there have been multiple tryouts for punters in New England this spring. Former Indiana Hoosiers punter Mitch McCarthy and Arkansas Razorbacks punter Devin Blay both had workouts with the team without being offered a contract.
It’s likely that the Patriots add another leg for training camp, but unclear how much Baringer will be pushed for the job. Through their actions this offseason, it seems like New England is committed to their punter for at least 2026, but that could change at any point over the next two months.
Jun 2, 2026; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel (center) addresses players during the team's OTA at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-Imagn Images
New England’s offseason roster moves focused on upgrading at several starting positions, improving on key areas of need identified through the successes and failures of their playoff run to Super Bowl LX. Now, the page turns to fortifying the middle class that surrounds a strong young foundation. Training camp will be the battleground that decides those players’ futures in Foxboro, and who will be the final few left standing when the final whistle blows.
The road to 53 begins later this month.
Which defensive position battles will you be watching for when Patriots’ training camp kicks off later this month? Drop your thoughts in the comments below and join the conversation on Patriots Roundtable.
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The New England Patriots were proactive in building around their young foundation this offseason, turning over every stone to upgrade the roster for another playoff push in 2026.
When the dust settled, New England welcomed 45 new players onto the preliminary 90-man roster that will be taken into training camp. From All-Pro level starters to rookie minicamp tryouts, each of those new faces will look to disrupt the status quo of a team fresh off a Super Bowl LX appearance.
We began our examination of the most crucial battleground positions at Patriots training camp yesterday with a look at the offense. Today, we’re flipping sides of the ball.
Here are five position battles to watch for on defense during New England Patriots’ training camp 2026:
Depth Edge Rushers
Currently Rostered (9): Amari Gainer, Xavier Holmes (Rookie), Gabe Jacas (Rookie), Dre’Mont Jones, Harold Landry III, Jesse Luketa, Elijah Ponder, Bradyn Swinson, Quintayvious Hutchins (Rookie)
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Jul 23, 2025; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots edge Elijah Ponder (91) walks to the practice field for training camp at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-Imagn Images
There have been many questions surrounding New England’s edge defender position since the beginning of the 2026 offseason. Heading into training camp, many of those questions still remain.
The Patriots ranked 24th in the NFL in pressure rate in 2025, even with the likes of Milton Williams and Christian Barmore both registering top-10 pressure rates among interior defenders. The team only had two players record five-plus sacks: Harold Landry III (8.5) and K’Lavon Chaisson (7.5). Undrafted Rookie Free Agent (UDFA) Elijah Ponder (4.0) finished with the third-highest sack total, followed by Williams (3.5) and Barmore (2.0). Marcus Jones and Anfernee Jennings (released in March) also finished the regular season with two sacks.
The lack of a consistent pass rush was problematic for New England all season long, and while they found ways to facilitate the rush with a high blitz rate in the postseason, that level of aggressiveness isn’t sustainable throughout an entire season.
This offseason, the Patriots made several transactions to change the landscape of the room, but it is still unclear how those changes will take hold. K’Lavon Chaisson’s 7.5 sacks (12.0 including the playoffs) were a career-best mark and earned him a new contract with the Washington Commanders, while New England brought in Dre’Mont Jones as a more stout defender against the run.
At 6’3”, 281 lbs., Jones has the flexibility to align on the edge or interior of the Patriots’ defensive line, and the team is hoping he rectifies their deficiencies setting the edge against the run on early downs — as was on display on several Kenneth Walker breakaway runs in Super Bowl LX. Jones is coming off of a career-best year in sacks (7.0) and pressures (51) in 2025.
New England is hopeful that Landry also returns to form, but he’s yet to take the field this spring. Originally drafted by Vrabel as the head coach of the Tennessee Titans, Landry was the first player to ink a deal during Vrabel’s tenure in Foxboro. He got off to a hot start in 2025 with 22 pressures and 6 sacks in his first five games, but a Week 6 knee injury limited him for the remainder of the season and his production totals suffered. Landry’s health will be worth monitoring in camp, although there may not be a real indication of where he’s at physically until the start of the regular season.
Without Landry on the field, Elijah Ponder assumed the role of first-team edge rusher opposite Jones through spring workouts. Ponder’s role within the defense grew with each passing week in 2025, and the undrafted rookie’s performance culminated in an AFC Championship Game fumble recovery that set up the Patriots’ only touchdown of the contest. The coaching staff has since praised Ponder’s development through the offseason, and he looks primed for a more significant snap share in 2026. Ponder’s athleticism (9.70 Relative Athletic Score) could be an asset for the team’s pass rush if he continues to make strides.
After trading up in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft to select offensive tackle Caleb Lomu, New England traded up again in the second round to address their edge needs further. The Patriots selected Gabe Jacas with the 55th overall pick on April 24, but he has yet to take the field in Foxboro.
Jacas is the only second round pick in the 2026 draft to not yet sign their rookie contract, and is the only New England rookie without a formal agreement in place. He has been recovering from an offseason knee procedure away from team facilities for the better part of the spring, and it has been reported that other teams flagged him for separate shoulder, knee, and foot injuries during pre-draft medical evaluations.
When Jacas does begin to participate, he’ll be playing catch up for the better part of training camp — learning the playbook and his position-specific responsibilities while adjusting to the physicality of the professional level. Whatever role he was set to play in the edge room will likely be diminished to begin the season, but he has all the tools to earn more reps as the year progresses.
A former two-time state wrestling champion, the edge rusher recorded 27 sacks and 142 pressures in 50 career games with the Illinois Fighting Illini, and worked extensively with former Patriots’ pass rush consultant Joe Kim to polish his technique. His size (6’4”, 261 lbs.), athleticism (9.59 Relative Athletic Score), and physicality match the identity of New England’s new-look defense under Vrabel, but it remains to be seen how that translates to his playing time as a rookie.
Jacas will likely start behind Ponder and split reps with Bradyn Swinson, but has the opportunity to earn a more significant role by impressing early.
Swinson was a fifth-round selection by the Patriots in the 2025 NFL Draft (146th overall) after spending the pre-draft process as a consensus top-100 prospect. The LSU product showed all of the tools to be an effective pass rusher at the next level, but reportedly dropped down boards due to maturity concerns. After turning down offers to be signed off of New England’s practice squad last season, Swinson enters 2026 fresh off of a year focused on his development, and has turned heads this spring. He could be the wild card in the rotation, but is largely still an unknown.
Ponder, Jacas, and Swinson will be jockeying for position behind Jones and Landry at training camp — but with Landry and Jacas’ availability still in question, the door remains open for other young players to make a push for a roster spot.
Amari Gainer was a practice squad addition late in 2025, while Jesse Luketa was signed in free agency, and rookies Quintayvious Hutchins (seventh round, 247th overall) and Xavier Holmes (UDFA) were added to the roster during draft season. They’ll look to disrupt the edge room and make a name for themselves on special teams during training camp.
Nose Tackle
Currently Rostered (9): Christian Barmore, David Blay Jr. (Rookie), Cory Durden, Joshua Farmer, Eric Gregory, Jeremiah Pharms Jr., Travis Shaw (Rookie), Leonard Taylor III, Milton Williams
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Jun 2, 2026; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots defensive tackle Cory Durden (94) speaks at a press conference after practice at the team's OTA at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-Imagn Images
Khyiris Tonga provided immense value as the team’s primary nose tackle on the one-year, $2.1 million contract he signed with the Patriots last offseason. His performance earned him a three-year, $21 million deal with the Kansas City Chiefs in free agency this March, but left New England without a direct replacement.
While New England's roster is ripe with talent along the interior of the defensive line, Mike Vrabel's scheme is built on lighter defensive tackles that specialize in a three-technique over the guard, rather than larger defensive tackles that play at the zero or one-technique over the center. Milton Williams (6'3", 290 lbs.) and Christian Barmore (6'5", 315 lbs.) are perfect examples of these types of players — those who win with a wider alignment by penetrating and creating disruption in the offensive backfield, rather than using their size and leverage at the line of scrimmage to plug holes for opposing rushers.
Of the other interior defensive linemen on the roster, Eric Gregory profiles to be the best candidate from a size standpoint (6’4”, 320 lbs.), but may not be the leader to assume those reps lost by Tonga over the center.
Cory Durden (6’4”, 305 lbs.) was effective for New England late into the season and through the team’s playoff run when Tonga was sidelined due to injury. Durden may have a smaller build than Gregory, but plays with the effort and finish required to become a dependable player at the position and gain the favor of the coaching staff.
2025 fourth round pick Joshua Farmer (137th overall) showed potential as a run-stopper before landing on season-ending injured reserve on December 23, but also has a more slender build for the role at 6’3”, 312 lbs. Leonard Taylor III (6’3”, 305 lbs.) and UDFA David Blay Jr. (6’2”, 292 lbs.) may also factor into the competition at nose tackle, but carry similar deficiencies in size. Blay played primarily at nose tackle in college, but will likely have to shift toward a role more akin to Williams at that weight in the pros.
A dark horse candidate to watch for at this position is UDFA Travis Shaw, who was signed late in the offseason process after rookie minicamp had already concluded. Standing at 6’5”, 334 lbs., Shaw fits the suit of a professional nose tackle, but remains an unknown — for now.
Whether it be Durden, Shaw, or some mixture of the other interior defensive linemen, the Patriots don’t look to have a one-for-one substitute for the production Tonga gave them in 2025.
We’ll see how the run defense looks without one.
Sub Linebackers
Currently Rostered (7): K.J. Britt, Christian Elliss, Khalil Jacobs (Rookie), Chad Muma, Namdi Obiazor (Rookie), Otis Reese IV, Robert Spillane
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Jun 2, 2026; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots linebacker Namdi Obiazor (48) works with the coaching staff during the team's OTA at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-Imagn Images
New England’s starting off-ball linebackers are set with the return of Robert Spillane at Mike and Christian Elliss at Will. Much like the other positions on this list, the depth behind the starters features newcomers looking to make a statement.
In 2025, Jack Gibbens took meaningful reps down the stretch of the season as Spillane worked his way through an ankle sprain that sidelined him for portions of the regular season and playoffs. Gibbens signed with the Arizona Cardinals this offseason as a restricted free agent, and the Patriots signed K.J. Britt to replace him as the first sub linebacker.
Britt has been on and off the practice field with his own injuries this spring, which has led to Chad Muma — a former third round pick by the Indianapolis Colts — wearing the green dot for stretches of OTAs and minicamp.
Trailing Elliss at Will was formerly Marte Mapu — a safety converted to linebacker who saw most of his snaps as a sub-package defender on obvious passing downs. Mapu was traded to the Houston Texans this offseason in exchange for a 2027 sixth round pick.
In his stead, New England turned to the NFL Draft, and added Namdi Obiazor in the sixth round (212th overall) and Khalil Jacobs as a UDFA. Obiazor converted to linebacker from safety at TCU and both profile similar to Mapu from a size and athleticism standpoint. Neither took a significant number of reps during team periods this spring, but both made the most of the limited opportunities they received — with Jacobs receiving praise for his coverage skills.
Britt and Muma bring some experience as the third and fourth off-ball linebackers on the roster, but questions remain beyond that. The Patriots could go light off-ball and roster only four. They could also roster five or six linebackers if the rookies begin to impress.
As of now, Obiazor would have to be considered the leader to make a push for a spot on the 53-man roster because of his similarities to Mapu, but Jacobs may be closing that gap quickly. New England didn’t explore other avenues to find a direct replacement for the departed — although that may still be on the table as training camp nears.
Regardless, there will be questions about the depth of this group until proven otherwise.
Cornerback 4
Currently Rostered (11): Channing Canada (Rookie), Brandon Crossley, Carlton Davis III, Marcellas Dial Jr., Christian Gonzalez, Kenneth Harris (Rookie), Marcus Jones, Kobee Minor, Karon Prunty (Rookie), Kindle Vildor, Charles Woods
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Jun 10, 2026; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots cornerback Karon Prunty (21) and cornerback Kenneth Harris (36) do a drill during minicamp at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-Imagn Images
The Patriots lay claim to one of the NFL’s top starting corner trios with Christian Gonzalez, Carlton Davis III, and Marcus Jones.
Beyond those three were an unstable rotation of supporting cast players trying to carve out a role last season. This year, it may be more of the same.
Free agent signing Kindle Vildor has run with the first-team defense for much of the spring in the absences of Gonzalez and Davis, and has been frequently joined on the boundary by 2026 fifth round pick Karon Prunty (171st overall).
Those two are the likely players to beat when it comes to the bottom of the corner depth chart, with 2025 acquisitions Charles Woods and Kobee Minor pushing to disrupt that. Marcellas Dial Jr. has previously shown flashes with solid training camp performances, but is still recovering from a torn ACL that kept him sidelined last year. Brandon Crossley spent time with New England’s practice squad in 2025, and is a candidate to do so again in 2026.
The rest of the room is filled with unknowns in UDFAs Channing Canada and Kenneth Harris, but as the Patriots look to secure more stability behind their starters, training camp will be their best opportunity to impress.
As of now, the fourth and fifth cornerback roles look to be Vildor and Prunty’s to lose, but that can change quickly. This remains a position to monitor through camp.
Safety 3
Currently Rostered (7): Mike Brown, Kevin Byard III, Peter Manuma (Rookie), Dell Pettus, John Saunders Jr., Brenden Schooler, Craig Woodson
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Jun 10, 2026; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots safety Mike Brown (33) arrives at the practice field for minicamp at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-Imagn Images
Prior to New England’s trade for A.J. Brown, the signing of Kevin Byard III in free agency may have been the team’s most significant upgrade at a starting position this offseason.
The reigning Associated Press First Team All-Pro and NFL’s interception leader now pairs with standout sophomore Craig Woodson to command the third-level of the Patriots defense, creating a new strength for the unit as a whole.
The depth behind the starters at safety is questionable, however, as was the case in 2025.
Dell Pettus returns as a developing defensive back that began to earn more reps as the season progressed, with Brenden Schooler set to resume his role as a core special teams player. John Saunders Jr. was signed to the practice squad late last season, but to this point, none of the three have done enough to warrant consideration as a regular contributor in the group.
Free agent signing Mike Brown has impressed through the offseason program and may be considered the leader for the third safety role by the time training camp begins. The former Cleveland Brown and Tennessee Titan has played sparingly on defense through this point of his career, but could forge a new path for himself in Foxboro.
If Schooler is a lock as a special teamer and Brown is taking over as the first safety off the bench, that may spell the end for Dell Pettus. In 2025, New England rostered four safeties including Schooler for the vast majority of the year, with Jaylinn Hawkins, Woodson, and Pettus as the top three.
The Patriots could have simply been caught in the midst of massive roster turnover at the position last year with the exits of Jabrill Peppers and Kyle Dugger, leading to a four safety approach when those situations resolved. If they opt to roster a fifth safety in 2026 — which opens the door for Pettus or UDFA Peter Manuma to make a run at the final spot — it would change the math greatly elsewhere.
How the bottom of the safety room takes shape will be one of the more interesting camp battles to watch, and a position where the team needs a more consistent rotational piece. Right now, it’s for the taking.
BONUS! Punter
Currently Rostered (1): Bryce Baringer
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Jun 9, 2025; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots punter Bryce Baringer (17) walks to the practice fields at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-Imagn Images
The Patriots currently only have one punter rostered, with Bryce Baringer set to enter the final year of his rookie contract in 2026.
Baringer has performed well through his three years in Foxboro with a career net yards per punt average of 41.0 and inside-the-20 percentage of 41.1%. Still, with no long-term extension in place, this would be the offseason that Baringer sees real competition brought into the room. If he wins his camp battle, he’d be resigned to an extension. If not, the team would be one step closer to finding a long-term replacement.
Through this point of the offseason, that has yet to happen — but there have been multiple tryouts for punters in New England this spring. Former Indiana Hoosiers punter Mitch McCarthy and Arkansas Razorbacks punter Devin Blay both had workouts with the team without being offered a contract.
It’s likely that the Patriots add another leg for training camp, but unclear how much Baringer will be pushed for the job. Through their actions this offseason, it seems like New England is committed to their punter for at least 2026, but that could change at any point over the next two months.
Looking Ahead
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Jun 2, 2026; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel (center) addresses players during the team's OTA at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-Imagn Images
New England’s offseason roster moves focused on upgrading at several starting positions, improving on key areas of need identified through the successes and failures of their playoff run to Super Bowl LX. Now, the page turns to fortifying the middle class that surrounds a strong young foundation. Training camp will be the battleground that decides those players’ futures in Foxboro, and who will be the final few left standing when the final whistle blows.
The road to 53 begins later this month.
Which defensive position battles will you be watching for when Patriots’ training camp kicks off later this month? Drop your thoughts in the comments below and join the conversation on Patriots Roundtable.
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