The New England Patriots had one of their worst seasons in franchise history last year, finishing the 2023 season with the second-worst record in the NFL and receiving the third overall pick in the 2024 draft.
While the offense was the main reason for their failures, the defense was pretty solid, and the front seven was responsible for a lot of the unit's success.
This offseason, New England didn't make many changes to their defensive line group, but there are some differences for the room heading into training camp. However, before they get on the practice fields outside of training camp, let's refamiliarize ourselves with the Patriots defensive linemen.
Keion White
White is entering his second season in New England after the team drafted him in the second round of the 2023 NFL draft out of Georgia Tech. He didn't play much as a rookie, recording just 26 tackles, three passes defended and a sack. However, he's expected to take on a larger role in 2024, as head coach Jerod Mayo picked him as a surprise leader this offseason.
Deatrich Wise
Wise is entering his eighth season in New England and is one of the longest-tenured players on the rosters. In a contract year, he'll likely be a stable force on the end, contending for reps during training camp with other defensive ends and outside linebackers.
Christian Barmore
The Patriots paid Barmore handsomely this offseason, a year before he was supposed to hit the market, as he's proven to be an impactful presence in the middle of this defense. With DeMarcus Covington taking over as a first-time defensive coordinator, Barmore's performance as the main big man in the middle in 2024 will be extremely important to this team's success.
Davon Godchaux
Godchaux is supposed to be entering his fourth season in New England after spending his first four with the Miami Dolphins. However, it's been made very clear that Godchaux is unhappy with his contract. If the two sides don't come to a deal in the coming days, the Patriots may try to move the defensive lineman. If he remains on the team and plays, he'll be the team's second-best interior defensive lineman.
Daniel Ekuale
Ekuale is entering his fourth season with the Patriots, but he's appeared in just 25 games and recorded just 22 tackles (four for a loss), five quarterback hits, four sacks, one pass defensed and one forced fumble in his first three years. Coming off of a torn biceps last year, he'll have to fight for the third spot at his position on the depth chart.
Armon Watts
Watts signed with New England this offseason after bouncing around between the Minnesota Vikings (2019-21), Chicago Bears (2022) and Pittsburgh Steelers over his first five years. He's been a rotational player in the middle for most of his career, and he'll have a chance to earn that role again with his new team.
Jeremiah Pharms Jr.
Pharms made the jump to the NFL with the Patriots in 2022 after playing indoor football in 2021 and in the USFL during their 2022 season. He only played 90 defensive snaps last year, so he'll be competing for a depth/practice squad spot in training camp.
Sam Roberts
Roberts is entering his third season with New England after the team drafted him in the sixth round of the 2022 draft out of Northwest Missouri State. He's played just 140 defensive snaps over two years, so he'll likely have to fight for an end-of-the-roster/practice squad spot.
Trysten Hill
Hill joined the Patriots practice squad in 2023 midway through the season and appeared in just one game, playing four total snaps. While he's played his fair share of NFL football (736 defensive snaps in his first five seasons), he seems like another practice squad candidate.
William King-Bradley
King-Bradley also joined New England's practice squad midway through last year after spending over two seasons with the Washington Football Team/Commanders. He'll also have to fight for a practice squad role.
John Morgan III
Morgan is an undrafted rookie out of Arkansas. He appeared in 11 games for the Razorbacks, recording 15 tackles. It feels like a lot of things would have to go his way to make the roster.
Jotham Russell
Russell will be one of the most intriguing players to watch throughout camp and into the preseason (if he makes it that far), as he's an Australian rugby player looking to make the transition to NFL defensive end. He's part of the league's International Player Pathway program, and New England has had success there before.
