Patriots training camp is set to begin on Wednesday, July 23.
New England Patriots rookies already reported back to Gillette Stadium for this year’s training camp with veterans set to join them soon. For the now Mike Vrabel-led Patriots, their first practice of the summer will begin on Wednesday, July 23 at 10:30 a.m. ET.
Before the players and coaches take the field, our preview series will continue with New England’s defensive line.
*Denotes player on the Pats Pulpit 53-man roster projection
Depth chart
Starters: Christian Barmore*, Milton Williams*, Khyiris Tonga* | Backups: Joshua Farmer* (R), Jeremiah Pharms Jr.*, Jaquelin Roy, Isaiah Iton, Jahvaree Ritzie (U-R)
The Patriots struggle to generate a pass rusher extended along the interior last season. But with the return of Christian Barmore from blood clots and the franchise record-setting signing of Milton Williams, who ranked top 10 among all interior defenders in pressures last season, New England now could boast one of the more disruptive interior duos in football.
Rounding out the top of the depth chart will be fellow free agent addition Khyiris Tonga. The near 340-pound nose tackle will serve as New England’s top interior run defender next to Barmore and Williams, but the 29-year-old has never played more than 36 percent of a team’s defensive snaps over his four NFL seasons.
New England continued to add to the position in a loaded defensive line draft class by trading up to select Joshua Farmer in the fourth-round. The toolsy d-lineman has excellent length and explodes off the ball with power which shines promise on his pass rush ability.
Rounding out the depth of the group is a pair of holdovers in Jeremiah Pharms, who could fit well in a more aggressive front, and Jaquelin Roy, a midseason practice squad addition that went on to record two sacks and impress in the run game before suffering a neck injury and fractured foot.
Key Question: Can Milton Williams handle an increased workload?
Throughout Milton Williams’ first four years in Philadelphia, the defensive lineman never played more than 50 percent of the team’s defensive snaps. After inking a four-year, $104 million deal with New England in free agency, that will quickly change. Williams will be relied upon as a key piece on New England’s defense where they will not only hope that he will continue to be a disruptive pass rusher, but that he will get back to his 2023 ways against the run — where he was one of the more effective interior run defenders in football.
“The more you out there the more opportunity you got to make plays,” Williams said back in March. “I pride myself on being productive from wherever I line up on on the defensive line and I’m going bring that here.”
X-Factor: Joshua Farmer
The rookie may be overshadowed by high-end talent above him on the depth chart, but Farmer’s power and disruptiveness — which included a pair of batted passes in OTAs — should allow him to step into a role in his rookie season. If the fourth rounder can continue to generate pressure and build on his run defense under defensive coordinator Terrell Williams, Farmer has a chance to be an impactful part of New England’s interior line rotation.