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Patriots expected to be ‘top suitor’ in free agency for DT Milton Williams
"He is a game wrecker — game changer on the inside."
The Patriots have cash to burn this offseason, with New England entering free agency with a league-leading $127 million in cap space.
And with Mike Vrabel and the Patriots reportedly focusing on beefing up their personnel along the lines of scrimmage, it should come as little surprise that New England is setting its sights on the most impactful defensive linemen on the open market.
According to NFL Network’s Cameron Wolfe, the Patriots are expected to be among the “top suitors” for Eagles DL Milton Williams once free agency begins.
Wolfe’s comments fall in line with several other reports linking Williams to New England, with the Boston Herald’s Doug Kyed and Andrew Callahan tabbing the defensive tackle as a “top target” for the team.
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“I’m hearing the Patriots are big-time “in” on Milton, and I am big time “in” on Milton,” Boston Sports Journal’s Greg Bedard said on his podcast. “He is a game wrecker — game changer on the inside. … Milton Williams, you could argue, was the best defender on the Eagles’ defensive line during their postseason run.
“And so those are the type of guys that Vrabel is looking for. He’s sort of like in that Jeffery Simmons role. So, yeah, I think they are on board on that.”
Williams recorded 24 total tackles, 5.5 sacks, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery during regular-season action with Philly in 2024 — with his 40 pressures standing as the 19th-highest mark among defensive linemen in 2024, per PFF.
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Williams saved his best game for Super Bowl LIX against the Chiefs in New Orleans. The 25-year-old defensive tackle sacked Patrick Mahomes twice while also forcing and recovering a fumble against the KC quarterback in the 40-22 victory.
Adding Williams to a Patriots defensive line already set to return Keion White and Christian Barmore (if healthy) would give New England a sizable advantage at the line of scrimmage moving forward.
And given New England’s abundant cap space, the Patriots could reel in Williams with a hefty offer while still having cap room on hand to either take on contracts via trade or sign other players at deficient areas of the depth chart like left tackle Ronnie Stanley.
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