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Four Patriots earn spots on ESPN’s top 50 offseason moves in NFL
The Patriots addressed several weaknesses on their roster with a busy offseason.
The New England Patriots were busy this offseason, allocated their league-leading cap space this spring to shore up deficiencies across the depth chart while also targeting areas of need during the 2025 NFL Draft.
As such, it should come as little surprised that the Patriots were recognized multiple times on ESPN’s list of the 50 best moves of the NFL offseason.
In total, four Patriots made the list:
- No. 7: Milton Williams, defensive tackle
- No. 20: Stefon Diggs, wide receiver
- No. 31: Will Campbell, offensive tackle
- No. 33: Carlton Davis III, cornerback
The Patriots handed Williams the largest contract in franchise history when they signed him in March to a four-year, $104 million contract. The 26-year-old defensive tackle was a menace last season with the Eagles, culminating in a standout showing during Super Bowl LIX where he sacked Patrick Mahomes twice and also forced and recovered a fumble.
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“Williams is my favorite of the Patriots’ additions after they totaled a league-low 28 sacks last season,” ESPN’s Matt Bowen said of Williams. “He has the strength to displace blockers at the point of attack, with the light feet and short-area burst to slip interior offensive linemen. After having five sacks and 18 pressures last season, Williams will now pair with Christian Barmore to give new coach Mike Vrabel two disruptive interior defenders.”
Diggs was a welcome addition to a Patriots team in need of a No. 1 receiver to pair with Drake Maye. Despite suffering a torn ACL in October 2024, Diggs has already been cleared for training camp and is already building a strong rapport with New England’s No. 1 QB.
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“A quality route runner who can create separation and produce after the catch, Diggs is set to become the top target for second-year quarterback Drake Maye — once he is fully healthy and cleared to play,” Bowen wrote. “Diggs had 47 receptions for 496 yards in eight games before an ACL tear ended his 2024 campaign. He had posted six straight seasons of at least 1,000 receiving yards prior to last year.
Campbell might have some growing pains as he adjusts to NFL competition, but New England addressed arguably its most pressing need at left tackle when they selected the LSU offensive lineman with the No. 4 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.
“The fourth overall pick in the NFL draft, Campbell steps into the left tackle position for a team that allowed 52 sacks (fifth most) and registered a pass block win rate of just 50.9% (31st) in 2024,” Bowen wrote. “Campbell has the movement skills, technique and play toughness to win in pass protection, and he will drive defenders off the ball in the run game. Campbell should be viewed as a building block for Vrabel’s team.”
New England already has a No. 1 cornerback in Christian Gonzalez. But, signing Davis to a three-year, $54 million deal gives the Patriots a proven No. 2 corner who should be able to capitalize on lighter matchups while Gonzalez handles top wideouts.
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“With seven NFL seasons under his belt, Davis gives the Patriots a veteran presence at cornerback opposite rising star Christian Gonzalez,” Bowen wrote. “Davis is a willing tackler on the edges, with both zone and man traits in coverage. He can disrupt the ball too, with 11 interceptions and 69 pass breakups over his career.”
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