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The New England Patriots are strong at defensive tackle, and Milton Williams, who leads the way for the team at the position, is among the best in the league in the interior.
According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler in the network’s ranking of the top 10 defensive tackles in the league for next season, Williams ranks No. 9 overall. The ranking was compiled from the votes of NFL executives, coaches and scouts.
Fowler wrote:
”Williams' four-year, $104 million free agency deal was eye-opening in March 2025, given he was a rotational lineman with Philadelphia. He validated that investment last season, ranking third among interior linemen in pressure rate (9.6%). He also compiled eight tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks in a 12-game campaign that was limited by a high ankle sprain. Williams also led all qualified Patriots defensive linemen in pass rush win rate and run stop win rate last season.”
Williams was instrumental in the Patriots reaching the Super Bowl at the end of last season. His ability to get after the quarterback was a great service to New England’s defense in the interior, and his experience as a former Super Bowl champion paid dividends for the team.
There are a few defensive tackles in the NFL that Williams has the chance to usurp as soon as next season, if he’s able to translate his relentless efforts in the pass rush to more sacks from the 3.5 that he recorded in 2025, or his career-high of five from the 2024 season.
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This article originally appeared on Patriots Wire: Patriots DT Milton Williams cracks ESPN's top-10 rankings
Continue reading...
According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler in the network’s ranking of the top 10 defensive tackles in the league for next season, Williams ranks No. 9 overall. The ranking was compiled from the votes of NFL executives, coaches and scouts.
Fowler wrote:
”Williams' four-year, $104 million free agency deal was eye-opening in March 2025, given he was a rotational lineman with Philadelphia. He validated that investment last season, ranking third among interior linemen in pressure rate (9.6%). He also compiled eight tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks in a 12-game campaign that was limited by a high ankle sprain. Williams also led all qualified Patriots defensive linemen in pass rush win rate and run stop win rate last season.”
Williams was instrumental in the Patriots reaching the Super Bowl at the end of last season. His ability to get after the quarterback was a great service to New England’s defense in the interior, and his experience as a former Super Bowl champion paid dividends for the team.
There are a few defensive tackles in the NFL that Williams has the chance to usurp as soon as next season, if he’s able to translate his relentless efforts in the pass rush to more sacks from the 3.5 that he recorded in 2025, or his career-high of five from the 2024 season.
Follow Patriots Wire on Twitter and Facebook.
This article originally appeared on Patriots Wire: Patriots DT Milton Williams cracks ESPN's top-10 rankings
Continue reading...
