AP PHOTO/ GREG COOPER
While quarterback Drake Maye is undeniably the centerpiece of the New England Patriots’ franchise, a championship-caliber roster requires a dominant supporting cast. Building around a young signal-caller means establishing elite protection, dynamic playmakers, and a defense capable of shutting down high-powered offenses.
Here are the 10 most important Patriots after Drake Maye, ranked by their impact on the team’s success.
1. Will Campbell, OT: Protecting Maye’s blindside is job number one, making Campbell arguably the most critical piece of the offensive infrastructure. As the foundational left tackle, Campbell’s ability to neutralize elite edge rushers allows Maye to operate comfortably from the pocket. If Campbell plays at an All-Pro level, the entire passing game hits a different gear.
2. Christian Gonzalez, CB: On the defensive side of the ball, Gonzalez is the crown jewel. A true lockdown cornerback who can erase an opponent’s top receiving threat without safety help is a rare luxury. Gonzalez’s elite coverage skills allow the defensive front to be more aggressive, making him the anchor of the secondary.
3. A.J. Brown, WR: Every young quarterback needs a definitive, game-changing WR1, and Brown provides exactly that. His ability to win at every level of the field, dominate in contested-catch situations, and turn short passes into explosive gains gives Maye a true elite target. Brown’s presence fundamentally alters how opposing coordinators scheme against the New England offense, opening up the playbook for everyone else.
4. Morgan Moses, OT: While Campbell handles the left side, Moses provides vital stability, toughness, and leadership on the right side of the offensive line. A reliable right tackle ensures that Maye isn’t seeing immediate pressure off the edge, giving complex route concepts time to develop downfield.
5. Hunter Henry, TE: The ultimate safety valve. Hunter Henry remains one of the most reliable intermediate targets and red-zone threats in football. When plays break down, Henry’s veteran savvy and exceptional hands make him Maye’s go-to option on third down and inside the 20-yard line. Henry is also the only viable tight end option on the roster right now.
6. Robert Spillane, LB: Every great defense needs a vocal leader and a downhill enforcer in the middle of the field. Spillane provides the toughness and intelligence required to run the defense. His ability to stop the run, trigger quickly on screens, and communicate pre-snap adjustments makes him indispensable to the front seven. The defense wasn’t the same without him at the end of last season.
7. Dre’Mont Jones, EDGE: Versatility along the defensive line is crucial, and Jones provides the ability to disrupt plays from multiple alignments. Whether setting the edge against the run or kicking inside to generate a quick interior pass rush on third downs, Jones’s motor and athleticism keep opposing offensive lines off-balance.
8. Milton Williams, DT: An underrated but vital component of defensive success is interior penetration. Milton Williams excels at resetting the line of scrimmage, eating up double teams, and collapsing the pocket from the inside out. By forcing quarterbacks to abandon their initial reads and step into the edge rush, Williams makes everyone around him better.
9. Marcus Jones, NB/RET: The ultimate wildcard. Marcus Jones impacts the game in all three phases, but his primary value lies in his game-breaking ability as a return specialist. By consistently tilting field position in New England’s favor, Jones directly reduces the yardage Maye and the offense need to cover, while also serving as a valuable asset in the slot on defense.
10. Jared Wilson, C: Wilson is in his natural position now so there will be pressure on him to perform at a high level. Wilson struggled at times at left guard last season but if Elijah Vera Tucker and Mike Onwemu are healthy at guard, Wilson should get much better at center.
Others to consider
Tre’veyon Henderson, RB: A powerful, dynamic running game is a young quarterback’s best friend. Henderson brings explosive big-play potential and true balance to the backfield. His ability to hit the hole hard, catch passes out of the backfield, and keep defenses honest prevents opponents from simply dropping back into deep coverage to take away Maye’s arm.
Christian Barmore, DT: A healthy Barmore can be a disruptive force inside that dominate one on one blocks and resets the line of scrimmage. If Barmore can come into camp with a clean slate mentally and focus on playing football, he can be a dominate force next to Williams as a dominate three technique defensive tackle.