With rookies already in Foxborough and veterans reporting on Tuesday, we begin to wind down our preseason positional previews.
Here’s a look at the defensive line, which will play a big part in determining just how good this defense is…
Under contract: Keion White, Deatrich Wise Jr., Davon Godchaux, Dan Ekuale, Jeremiah Pharms, Christian Barmore. Armon Watts, Sam Roberts, Trysten Hill, Will Bradley-King, John Morgan III, Jotham Russell.
Positional breakdown: There’s a chance that this front can be very disruptive this season. Keion White, Deatrich Wise, Christian Barmore and Davon Godchaux make a very formidable group. White enters Year 2 with high expectations swirling around him. After playing in 14 games as a rookie with 26 tackles (12 solo), three TFL’s and three passes defended, White could be in line for a big sophomore season with his speed, size and athleticism. White looks the part whether he’s in pads or not, it’s just a matter of him getting more pass rush opportunities this season. Wise is entering his eighth year as a Patriot and has been a captain in each of the last two seasons. Wise is an important locker room guy and a steadying presence off the field. Last season, No. 91 had 54 tackles (24 solo), one fumble recovery, one forced fumble, six QB hits and 4.5 sacks. He’s got 29 sacks in his career and most importantly, is arguably the teams most dependable player, playing in 16, 16, 14, 16, 16, 17 and 16 games in each year of his career. The newly re-signed Barmore is the guy who everyone expects to be the next Vince Wilford-type player. Barmore had the breakout season we’ve all been waiting for in Year 3 last season. No. 90 had 16 QB hits, 13 tackles for loss, 64 total tackles (39 solo) and 8.5 sacks along with a forced fumble. As long as he stays healthy, Barmore should continue ascending as one of the game’s top interior guys. Godchaux is entering his eighth year in the NFL and his fourth with the Patriots. Another strong veteran in the locker room, Godchaux had a 56-tackle season a year ago (24 solo) with one fumble receovery. He’a steady and reliable (played in all 17 games each of the last three seasons), but the Pats could use some more out of him.
Armon Watts, Sam Roberts and Daniel Ekuale should be serviceable depth pieces for the rotation of linemen the Pats will implement this year. Watts was one oft he rare non-Patriot free agent signings this offseason and is entering his sixth year in the NFL. Watts started his career in 2019, playing three seasons for Minnesota. After that, he was a Bear in 2022 and played for Pittsburgh in 2024. Watts finished with six solo tackles (15 total) last year. Ideally, he gets more of a chance to contribute for this unit. Roberts has been a good depth piece since 2022 and enters his third year both in the league and with the Patriots. He’s appeared in just 12 games total in his career with seven total tackles (three solo). Like Roberts, Daniel Ekuale has shown he can be helpful and contribute when called upon. Ekuale is entering his sixth year in the NFL and fourth with the Patriots. Since joining the team in 2021, he’s only played a total of 25 games and played in just three last season. He might end up fighting for a spot in camp, but if he makes the team again he’ll have earned it.
You can probably add Jeremiah Pharms to that group of three as well. Pharms appeared in 12 games last season, the first 12 of his career at 27 years old. He too will be fighting for a roster spot after making four solo tackles (nine total) and recovering a fumble in 2023.
As for Trysten Hill, Will Bradley-King, John Morgan III and Jotham Russell, it’d be surprising to see any go these guys on the main roster, but you never know. Hill has the best chance since he’ll be entering his sixth NFL season. Hill has played for Dallas and Arizona starting in 2019 before appearing in one game for the Pats a year ago. He’s got 39 career tackles (27 solo) and 1.5 sacks. Bradley-King comes over after playing his first two seasons in Washington, appearing in four total games with seven total tackles (1 solo). Morgan III is a rookie out of Arkansas. He played his first five years of college ball for Pitt before finishing things off as a Razorback in 2023. In his college career, Morgan III had 89 tackles (53 solo), 16 sacks and four forced fumbles. Russell is actually a former rugby player who is converting to defensive end. Jotham was selected for the NFL’s International Player Pathway program after playing for the Brisbane Broncos development squad.