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The 2025 NFL season was one marked by great success in year one of the Mike Vrabel era for the New England Patriots. Inheriting a team that held a combined record of 8-26 in 2023-24, Vrabel and New England Executive Vice President of Player Personnel Eliot Wolf spearheaded an offseason overhaul highlighted by an exceptionally deep draft class.
Built on a foundation that ranked top-three in the league in rookie snaps played, the Patriots finished the regular season with a 14-3 record and continued their winning ways through the postseason with a run to Super Bowl LX. Vrabel tied the NFL record with 17 wins in his first season as a team’s head coach, and quarterback Drake Maye finished as the league’s MVP runner-up in his first full season as a starter.
New England’s climb up the NFL mountain in 2025 was unexpected, but sustaining that success through 2026 will become an entirely different challenge — and the front office operated as such through the spring months.
Fueled by the organization’s unified vision of the roster, the Patriots continued their roster build with a proactive approach during the 2026 offseason. Free agency saw the team bring in immediate impact players at wide receiver, offensive line, edge rusher, and safety. Their NFL Draft was notable with trades up in each of the first two rounds to secure future stability at offensive tackle and pass rusher. That aggressiveness spanned through June, when New England traded for All-Pro wide receiver A.J. Brown to put the cherry on top.
Where some organizations may have displayed complacency after a breakout season, the Patriots took a critical look at their deficiencies in the playoffs and turned over every stone to address those needs. The team added 45 new faces to the preliminary 90-man roster that will be taken into training camp. From All-Pro additions to developmental prospects at premier positions, New England continued the momentum that began in the spring of 2025 through the summer of 2026, and now show every early indication of becoming a sustainable contender.
But while the team’s success last season was a pleasant surprise, it will have no bearing on their performance this fall. Rather than the hunter, the Patriots will be hunted. Their upcoming schedule paints a much different picture than last year’s, and the reinforcements acquired will be necessary to face the challenges that lie ahead. With a small taste of greatness in year one of Vrabel and Maye, New England now turns to the greater struggle: maintaining a high level of performance and building off of what led to their winning ways in 2025.
Over the next five days, we will examine the 25 players who are most important for the New England Patriots as the team prepares to make another playoff push in 2026. We begin today with numbers 25-21 — and a few honorable mentions that just barely missed the cut.
Not every player who will be important to the Patriots’ 2026 success can be a part of this list, and several key figures ranked just outside of the top 25 — a good problem for the team to have. Let’s start our list of the top 25 most important New England players with a few honorable mentions that barely missed the cut.
TE Eli Raridon
Jun 2, 2026; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots tight end Eli Raridon (82) looks on during the team's OTA at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-Imagn Images
Eli Raridon was drafted by the Patriots in the third round (No. 95 overall) of the 2026 NFL Draft. With great size (6’6”, 246 lbs.), athleticism (4.62 second 40-yard dash), and downfield production (led FBS tight ends with eight receptions of 20-plus yards in 2025), Raridon has the potential to take over as the top option in the tight end room in Foxboro in the future. However, there may be some hesitation to commit to him as a full-time contributor in 2026 while he adjusts to the physicality of the professional game. Raridon could fill in as the second tight end behind Hunter Henry in the passing game this year, but it’s more likely that New England finds an alternative to play on the line of scrimmage as the “Y” in the short term. Regardless, opportunity knocks for Raridon at a thin position on the Patriots roster, and he could very well be a regular on this list soon.
OT Caleb Lomu
May 7, 2026; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots first round draft pick Caleb Lomu is presented with a ceremonial first round jersey by team owner Robert Kraft (l) and team president Jonathan Kraft (r) at a press conference on the game field at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Natalie Reid-Imagn Images
The Patriots stole headlines on night one of the 2026 NFL Draft by trading up from No. 31 to No. 28 and selecting Utah offensive tackle Caleb Lomu with their first round pick. At just 21 years old, Lomu will begin his career in New England as the team’s top swing tackle as he continues to make the transition from the left to the right side, and has also seen reps at both guard spots through the spring. Lomu’s athleticism earned a Relative Athletic Score (RAS) of 9.78 out of 10.00 (ranked 38th of 1,645 offensive tackle prospects from 1987-2026) during the pre-draft process, and positions him to be a versatile substitute at multiple offensive line spots in 2026. In the event of injury, Lomu would become a much more substantial component for the Patriots in the short term, while his long-term ceiling is still being crafted. He’ll be a building block along the front for years to come.
DT Cory Durden
Dec 1, 2025; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New England Patriots defensive tackle Cory Durden (94) celebrates after a play during the fourth quarter against the New York Giants at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-Imagn Images
Cory Durden made a name for himself in the latter stages of the 2025 season and through the playoffs as a reliable substitute when other interior defensive linemen missed time due to injury. He’s set to take another step forward with a more significant role in the front seven this year, although what that looks like is still up for debate. Durden could fill in as the primary nose tackle for New England in 2026, but at just 305 lbs., he lacks the traditional size of a zero or one technique. If he doesn’t crack the lineup over the center, he’ll still be a valuable rotational piece on early downs when Milton Williams or Christian Barmore aren’t on the field. His overall impact on the team in 2026 has yet to be determined, but there could be big things ahead for Durden if he continues to impress.
Feb 25, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Illinois defensive lineman Gabe Jacas (DL44) speaks during the NFL Scouting Combine at the Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Our list of the top 25 most important Patriots of the 2026 season begins with rookie edge rusher Gabe Jacas, whom New England traded up in the second round of the NFL Draft to select in April. A two-time state champion wrestler, Jacas wins with power and an unrelenting motor that makes him a perfect fit for the Patriots’ defense under Vrabel — and showed promising production with 27 sacks and 142 total pressures in 50 career games at Illinois.
Jacas’ tenure in Foxboro has taken time to get off the ground, as he missed the vast majority of the team’s offseason program recovering from a knee procedure. His early missed time will have lasting consequences as he works to catch up during training camp, limiting his projected role among New England’s edge defenders for 2026.
While Jacas may ultimately become a top contributor in the room, it will take production on the field for him to supplant the pass rushers ranked ahead of him on the roster. For that reason, he ranks lower than those players on this list — but may very well have the highest ceiling of the group in the future. If those flashes become apparent at any point this fall, the complexion of the Patriots’ edge group becomes much different. Right now, Jacas is the biggest wild card.
Feb 8, 2026; Santa Clara, CA, USA; New England Patriots wide receiver Mack Hollins (13) makes a catch to score a touchdown against Seattle Seahawks cornerback Riq Woolen (27) during the fourth quarter in Super Bowl LX at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Mack Hollins has experienced his greatest involvement on offense in each of his stops with New England offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels. The pair first connected in Las Vegas with the Raiders in 2022, and their reunion in Foxboro in 2025 saw Hollins become a vital cog in the Patriots offensive scheme.
The 6’4”, 221 lb. veteran quickly became an essential component for the Patriots across a variety of situations. On early downs, his frame and physicality were used as a spark plug for the ground game — both as an outside receiver and occasionally as an insert blocker between the tackles to present defenses with personnel mismatches in the box. On passing downs, Hollins’ wide catch radius presented Maye with a reliable target over the middle of the field and in must-convert situations.
Hollins led all New England receivers in snaps played (792) and finished second in targets (74) last season, even after missing the final two games of the regular season due to injury. The 33-year-old may not have the greatest athletic profile of the group, but his size, versatility, and dependability are traits that will ensure he continues to have a role moving forward.
The Patriots brought in reinforcements at the top of the receiver room this offseason with A.J. Brown and Romeo Doubs, and while that may cut into Hollins’ 2026 snap count, he still figures to play a major factor in the gameplan — no matter the down and distance.
Jan 11, 2026; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots linebacker Elijah Ponder (91) and linebacker Christian Elliss (53) take down Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (10) during the second half in an AFC Wild Card Round game at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-Imagn Images
After signing with New England as an Undrafted Rookie Free Agent (UDFA) in 2025, Elijah Ponder quickly earned a rotational role in the edge room. His contributions along the defensive line became greater as the season progressed, and he continued that forward momentum through the spring as a first-team defender in practice sessions.
Ponder impressed with great athleticism in the pre-draft process, registering an RAS of 9.70 out of 10.00 (62nd of 2,012 defensive end prospects from 1987-2025), and that showed on the field in 2025 with four sacks in limited defensive snaps played. His stellar performances culminated in a second quarter fumble recovery that positioned the Patriots for their only touchdown of the AFC Championship Game victory in Denver.
Now, Ponder looks to command a more significant share of the first-team reps this fall — and has all of the tools to become a reliable pass rusher for New England. His combination of traits and production could become a valuable asset for the Patriots as they look for answers to improve a pass rush that ranked 24th in pressure rate in 2025.
Of all the transactions New England made to strengthen that area this offseason, Ponder could be the key to unlocking more consistent success from the group.
Jan 11, 2026; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots safety Craig Woodson (31) celebrates a defensive stop during the second quarter against the Los Angeles Chargers in an AFC Wild Card Round game at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-Imagn Images
When the Patriots drafted Craig Woodson with the No. 106 overall selection in the 2025 NFL Draft, the former Cal Golden Bears safety was considered a consensus reach. By the time the 2025 NFL season had concluded, Woodson had established himself as a core building block of the New England secondary.
Woodson led all Patriots’ defenders with 1,202 snaps played during the 2025 season, and got better as he saw more time on the field. He finished the 2025 regular season with 79 tackles and 3 passes defensed, then unlocked another level of production in the playoffs — adding 6 more pass breakups and an interception (vs. the Houston Texans in the AFC Divisional Round).
His highest graded performances of the year both came in the postseason, with a 90.3 overall grade against Houston and an 80.3 overall grade at the Denver Broncos in the AFC Championship Game before leading the team with 10 tackles and three tackles-for-loss in the Super Bowl. Including the postseason, Woodson finished the year as the NFL’s highest-graded safety in run defense, registering a grade of 89.7, and led the league in tackles (30) during the playoffs.
Already making a case as one of the league’s elite down-safeties, Woodson enters year two with reinforcements in the secondary to supplement his growth. Paired with Kevin Byard, the duo is sure to create a new strength at the third-level of the New England defense.
Jan 8, 2023; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Buffalo Bills full back Reggie Gilliam (41) with a number 3 on his jersey to show support for safety Damar Hamlin (3) during the second half against the New England Patriots at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-USA TODAY Sports
The Patriots took several steps to revitalize their rushing attack heading into 2026. A group that generated numerous explosive plays on the ground failed to find consistency for large stretches of last season. As a result, they finished the year as a top-10 team in overall rushing yardage (2,191 rushing yards, sixth in the NFL), but ranked in the bottom-10 in efficiency on running plays (-1.54 expected points added, 23rd in the NFL).
From moving pieces around on the offensive line to restocking the shelves at tight end, New England’s approach to building on offense this offseason began from the inside-out, and no player is positioned to have a bigger impact on the ground game than fullback Reggie Gilliam. A six-year professional with the Buffalo Bills, Gilliam enters the room as PFF’s highest-graded fullback of 2025 across-the-board — ranking first in the NFL in run blocking (75.1), pass blocking (89.6), and overall grade (72.4) among 10 qualifying fullbacks.
In Foxboro, Gilliam will be tasked with lead blocking responsibilities — opening up holes at the second level of the defense for Rhamondre Stevenson and TreVeyon Henderson to exploit. That will be particularly beneficial for the younger Henderson as he develops better vision as a between-the-tackles runner.
The fullback has been a staple in Josh McDaniels’ offensive scheme for decades, and it’s back in the building yet again. While he may not be on the receiving end of many touches, Gilliam will be on highlight reels as a plus-blocker — and is set to assume a key role in the Patriots ground game as they look to find daylight at a more frequent rate.
Dec 27, 2025; Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA; Green Bay Packers wide receiver Romeo Doubs (87) runs after a catch against Baltimore Ravens safety Alohi Gilman (12) during the second quarter at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images
Newfound depth at premier positions and reinforcements in the running game will help New England continue to establish the on-field identity built through the team’s success in 2025. These players will be key in the development of those areas, alongside the stars ahead of them on this list.
We’ll continue our countdown of the most important Patriots of 2026 next with numbers 20-16.
Who do you think is the most important Patriots’ player in 2026? Who’s ranked too high? Too low? Drop your thoughts in the comments below and join the conversation on Patriots Roundtable.
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Patriots Roundtable also offers a fan community and message board. We’d love to have you join us to talk all things Patriots. Click the “Join” button at the top of the page to join our community for free.
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Follow Eddie on Patriots Roundtable
Related Articles:
- 5 Position Battles to Watch For at New England Patriots Training Camp 2026: Defense
- 5 Position Battles to Watch For at New England Patriots Training Camp 2026: Offense
- New England Patriots Roster Needs: 5 Free Agent Targets Before Training Camp
- 5 Remaining Positions of Need for the New England Patriots in 2026
- 10 Key Takeaways from New England Patriots Minicamp 2026
Check out the Patriots Roundtable Podcast!
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Built on a foundation that ranked top-three in the league in rookie snaps played, the Patriots finished the regular season with a 14-3 record and continued their winning ways through the postseason with a run to Super Bowl LX. Vrabel tied the NFL record with 17 wins in his first season as a team’s head coach, and quarterback Drake Maye finished as the league’s MVP runner-up in his first full season as a starter.
New England’s climb up the NFL mountain in 2025 was unexpected, but sustaining that success through 2026 will become an entirely different challenge — and the front office operated as such through the spring months.
Fueled by the organization’s unified vision of the roster, the Patriots continued their roster build with a proactive approach during the 2026 offseason. Free agency saw the team bring in immediate impact players at wide receiver, offensive line, edge rusher, and safety. Their NFL Draft was notable with trades up in each of the first two rounds to secure future stability at offensive tackle and pass rusher. That aggressiveness spanned through June, when New England traded for All-Pro wide receiver A.J. Brown to put the cherry on top.
Where some organizations may have displayed complacency after a breakout season, the Patriots took a critical look at their deficiencies in the playoffs and turned over every stone to address those needs. The team added 45 new faces to the preliminary 90-man roster that will be taken into training camp. From All-Pro additions to developmental prospects at premier positions, New England continued the momentum that began in the spring of 2025 through the summer of 2026, and now show every early indication of becoming a sustainable contender.
But while the team’s success last season was a pleasant surprise, it will have no bearing on their performance this fall. Rather than the hunter, the Patriots will be hunted. Their upcoming schedule paints a much different picture than last year’s, and the reinforcements acquired will be necessary to face the challenges that lie ahead. With a small taste of greatness in year one of Vrabel and Maye, New England now turns to the greater struggle: maintaining a high level of performance and building off of what led to their winning ways in 2025.
Over the next five days, we will examine the 25 players who are most important for the New England Patriots as the team prepares to make another playoff push in 2026. We begin today with numbers 25-21 — and a few honorable mentions that just barely missed the cut.
Honorable Mentions
Not every player who will be important to the Patriots’ 2026 success can be a part of this list, and several key figures ranked just outside of the top 25 — a good problem for the team to have. Let’s start our list of the top 25 most important New England players with a few honorable mentions that barely missed the cut.
TE Eli Raridon
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Jun 2, 2026; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots tight end Eli Raridon (82) looks on during the team's OTA at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-Imagn Images
Eli Raridon was drafted by the Patriots in the third round (No. 95 overall) of the 2026 NFL Draft. With great size (6’6”, 246 lbs.), athleticism (4.62 second 40-yard dash), and downfield production (led FBS tight ends with eight receptions of 20-plus yards in 2025), Raridon has the potential to take over as the top option in the tight end room in Foxboro in the future. However, there may be some hesitation to commit to him as a full-time contributor in 2026 while he adjusts to the physicality of the professional game. Raridon could fill in as the second tight end behind Hunter Henry in the passing game this year, but it’s more likely that New England finds an alternative to play on the line of scrimmage as the “Y” in the short term. Regardless, opportunity knocks for Raridon at a thin position on the Patriots roster, and he could very well be a regular on this list soon.
OT Caleb Lomu
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May 7, 2026; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots first round draft pick Caleb Lomu is presented with a ceremonial first round jersey by team owner Robert Kraft (l) and team president Jonathan Kraft (r) at a press conference on the game field at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Natalie Reid-Imagn Images
The Patriots stole headlines on night one of the 2026 NFL Draft by trading up from No. 31 to No. 28 and selecting Utah offensive tackle Caleb Lomu with their first round pick. At just 21 years old, Lomu will begin his career in New England as the team’s top swing tackle as he continues to make the transition from the left to the right side, and has also seen reps at both guard spots through the spring. Lomu’s athleticism earned a Relative Athletic Score (RAS) of 9.78 out of 10.00 (ranked 38th of 1,645 offensive tackle prospects from 1987-2026) during the pre-draft process, and positions him to be a versatile substitute at multiple offensive line spots in 2026. In the event of injury, Lomu would become a much more substantial component for the Patriots in the short term, while his long-term ceiling is still being crafted. He’ll be a building block along the front for years to come.
DT Cory Durden
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Dec 1, 2025; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New England Patriots defensive tackle Cory Durden (94) celebrates after a play during the fourth quarter against the New York Giants at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-Imagn Images
Cory Durden made a name for himself in the latter stages of the 2025 season and through the playoffs as a reliable substitute when other interior defensive linemen missed time due to injury. He’s set to take another step forward with a more significant role in the front seven this year, although what that looks like is still up for debate. Durden could fill in as the primary nose tackle for New England in 2026, but at just 305 lbs., he lacks the traditional size of a zero or one technique. If he doesn’t crack the lineup over the center, he’ll still be a valuable rotational piece on early downs when Milton Williams or Christian Barmore aren’t on the field. His overall impact on the team in 2026 has yet to be determined, but there could be big things ahead for Durden if he continues to impress.
25. ED Gabe Jacas
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Feb 25, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Illinois defensive lineman Gabe Jacas (DL44) speaks during the NFL Scouting Combine at the Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Our list of the top 25 most important Patriots of the 2026 season begins with rookie edge rusher Gabe Jacas, whom New England traded up in the second round of the NFL Draft to select in April. A two-time state champion wrestler, Jacas wins with power and an unrelenting motor that makes him a perfect fit for the Patriots’ defense under Vrabel — and showed promising production with 27 sacks and 142 total pressures in 50 career games at Illinois.
Jacas’ tenure in Foxboro has taken time to get off the ground, as he missed the vast majority of the team’s offseason program recovering from a knee procedure. His early missed time will have lasting consequences as he works to catch up during training camp, limiting his projected role among New England’s edge defenders for 2026.
While Jacas may ultimately become a top contributor in the room, it will take production on the field for him to supplant the pass rushers ranked ahead of him on the roster. For that reason, he ranks lower than those players on this list — but may very well have the highest ceiling of the group in the future. If those flashes become apparent at any point this fall, the complexion of the Patriots’ edge group becomes much different. Right now, Jacas is the biggest wild card.
24. WR Mack Hollins
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Feb 8, 2026; Santa Clara, CA, USA; New England Patriots wide receiver Mack Hollins (13) makes a catch to score a touchdown against Seattle Seahawks cornerback Riq Woolen (27) during the fourth quarter in Super Bowl LX at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Mack Hollins has experienced his greatest involvement on offense in each of his stops with New England offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels. The pair first connected in Las Vegas with the Raiders in 2022, and their reunion in Foxboro in 2025 saw Hollins become a vital cog in the Patriots offensive scheme.
The 6’4”, 221 lb. veteran quickly became an essential component for the Patriots across a variety of situations. On early downs, his frame and physicality were used as a spark plug for the ground game — both as an outside receiver and occasionally as an insert blocker between the tackles to present defenses with personnel mismatches in the box. On passing downs, Hollins’ wide catch radius presented Maye with a reliable target over the middle of the field and in must-convert situations.
Hollins led all New England receivers in snaps played (792) and finished second in targets (74) last season, even after missing the final two games of the regular season due to injury. The 33-year-old may not have the greatest athletic profile of the group, but his size, versatility, and dependability are traits that will ensure he continues to have a role moving forward.
The Patriots brought in reinforcements at the top of the receiver room this offseason with A.J. Brown and Romeo Doubs, and while that may cut into Hollins’ 2026 snap count, he still figures to play a major factor in the gameplan — no matter the down and distance.
23. ED Elijah Ponder
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Jan 11, 2026; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots linebacker Elijah Ponder (91) and linebacker Christian Elliss (53) take down Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (10) during the second half in an AFC Wild Card Round game at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-Imagn Images
After signing with New England as an Undrafted Rookie Free Agent (UDFA) in 2025, Elijah Ponder quickly earned a rotational role in the edge room. His contributions along the defensive line became greater as the season progressed, and he continued that forward momentum through the spring as a first-team defender in practice sessions.
Ponder impressed with great athleticism in the pre-draft process, registering an RAS of 9.70 out of 10.00 (62nd of 2,012 defensive end prospects from 1987-2025), and that showed on the field in 2025 with four sacks in limited defensive snaps played. His stellar performances culminated in a second quarter fumble recovery that positioned the Patriots for their only touchdown of the AFC Championship Game victory in Denver.
Now, Ponder looks to command a more significant share of the first-team reps this fall — and has all of the tools to become a reliable pass rusher for New England. His combination of traits and production could become a valuable asset for the Patriots as they look for answers to improve a pass rush that ranked 24th in pressure rate in 2025.
Of all the transactions New England made to strengthen that area this offseason, Ponder could be the key to unlocking more consistent success from the group.
22. S Craig Woodson
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Jan 11, 2026; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots safety Craig Woodson (31) celebrates a defensive stop during the second quarter against the Los Angeles Chargers in an AFC Wild Card Round game at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-Imagn Images
When the Patriots drafted Craig Woodson with the No. 106 overall selection in the 2025 NFL Draft, the former Cal Golden Bears safety was considered a consensus reach. By the time the 2025 NFL season had concluded, Woodson had established himself as a core building block of the New England secondary.
Woodson led all Patriots’ defenders with 1,202 snaps played during the 2025 season, and got better as he saw more time on the field. He finished the 2025 regular season with 79 tackles and 3 passes defensed, then unlocked another level of production in the playoffs — adding 6 more pass breakups and an interception (vs. the Houston Texans in the AFC Divisional Round).
His highest graded performances of the year both came in the postseason, with a 90.3 overall grade against Houston and an 80.3 overall grade at the Denver Broncos in the AFC Championship Game before leading the team with 10 tackles and three tackles-for-loss in the Super Bowl. Including the postseason, Woodson finished the year as the NFL’s highest-graded safety in run defense, registering a grade of 89.7, and led the league in tackles (30) during the playoffs.
Already making a case as one of the league’s elite down-safeties, Woodson enters year two with reinforcements in the secondary to supplement his growth. Paired with Kevin Byard, the duo is sure to create a new strength at the third-level of the New England defense.
21. FB Reggie Gilliam
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Jan 8, 2023; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Buffalo Bills full back Reggie Gilliam (41) with a number 3 on his jersey to show support for safety Damar Hamlin (3) during the second half against the New England Patriots at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-USA TODAY Sports
The Patriots took several steps to revitalize their rushing attack heading into 2026. A group that generated numerous explosive plays on the ground failed to find consistency for large stretches of last season. As a result, they finished the year as a top-10 team in overall rushing yardage (2,191 rushing yards, sixth in the NFL), but ranked in the bottom-10 in efficiency on running plays (-1.54 expected points added, 23rd in the NFL).
From moving pieces around on the offensive line to restocking the shelves at tight end, New England’s approach to building on offense this offseason began from the inside-out, and no player is positioned to have a bigger impact on the ground game than fullback Reggie Gilliam. A six-year professional with the Buffalo Bills, Gilliam enters the room as PFF’s highest-graded fullback of 2025 across-the-board — ranking first in the NFL in run blocking (75.1), pass blocking (89.6), and overall grade (72.4) among 10 qualifying fullbacks.
In Foxboro, Gilliam will be tasked with lead blocking responsibilities — opening up holes at the second level of the defense for Rhamondre Stevenson and TreVeyon Henderson to exploit. That will be particularly beneficial for the younger Henderson as he develops better vision as a between-the-tackles runner.
The fullback has been a staple in Josh McDaniels’ offensive scheme for decades, and it’s back in the building yet again. While he may not be on the receiving end of many touches, Gilliam will be on highlight reels as a plus-blocker — and is set to assume a key role in the Patriots ground game as they look to find daylight at a more frequent rate.
Looking Ahead
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Dec 27, 2025; Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA; Green Bay Packers wide receiver Romeo Doubs (87) runs after a catch against Baltimore Ravens safety Alohi Gilman (12) during the second quarter at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images
Newfound depth at premier positions and reinforcements in the running game will help New England continue to establish the on-field identity built through the team’s success in 2025. These players will be key in the development of those areas, alongside the stars ahead of them on this list.
We’ll continue our countdown of the most important Patriots of 2026 next with numbers 20-16.
Who do you think is the most important Patriots’ player in 2026? Who’s ranked too high? Too low? Drop your thoughts in the comments below and join the conversation on Patriots Roundtable.
–
Patriots Roundtable also offers a fan community and message board. We’d love to have you join us to talk all things Patriots. Click the “Join” button at the top of the page to join our community for free.
–
Follow Eddie on Patriots Roundtable
Related Articles:
- 5 Position Battles to Watch For at New England Patriots Training Camp 2026: Defense
- 5 Position Battles to Watch For at New England Patriots Training Camp 2026: Offense
- New England Patriots Roster Needs: 5 Free Agent Targets Before Training Camp
- 5 Remaining Positions of Need for the New England Patriots in 2026
- 10 Key Takeaways from New England Patriots Minicamp 2026
Check out the Patriots Roundtable Podcast!
YouTube
Spotify
Apple Podcasts
Continue reading...
