It’s never too early to be looking ahead to the future. The New England Patriots hope to improve in 2025 after a 4-13 record last season, and no team spent more money in free agency than the Patriots. It’s not just a hope. The Patriots are firmly set on being competitive in 2025.
The Patriots’ defense was in the bottom half of the league for points and yards allowed per game in 2024, and improving the defense is paramount to their success in 2025.
Adding Milton Williams, Carlton Davis III, Robert Spillane, and Harold Landry III improves the starting lineup, and the defense already features young stars like Christian Gonzalez. A step forward isn’t out of the picture.
Auburn Tigers defensive lineman Keldric Faulk (15).
Auburn Tigers defensive lineman Keldric Faulk (15).
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Even with the season so close, the Patriots will be scouting ahead for the 2026 NFL Draft, and one analyst has them improving at a key position. In his 2026 NFL Mock Draft for Bleacher Report, analyst Brent Sobelski has the Patriots picking at the No. 14 spot, and has them selecting Auburn edge rusher Keldric Faulk.
Faulk had a breakout year in 2024, tallying 11 tackles for loss and seven sacks for the Tigers in 12 games, and Sobelski believes the Junior is the perfect fit for the Patriots defense.
“Certain players project as perfect fits for certain franchises. Case in point, Auburn’s Keldric Faulk has all of the makings of a future New England Patriot and Mike Vrabel defender.” Sobelski writes.
“Faulk is a 6’6”, 270-pound prospect capable of playing up and down the line of scrimmage. He’ll stack and shed, set the edge, stunt effectively, play through blockers with power and show some juice as a raw pass-rusher.”
The Patriots hired Mike Vrabel in the offseason, with the hope that the former Titans’ head coach and Patriots linebacker could bring some grit back to a team that’s lost its edge in recent years. Sobelski believes that Faulk’s ability to line up across the defensive line and the versatility of his game could be a massive benefit to the defense.
“Faulk can play multiple roles within Vrabel’s defensive scheme, while providing significant upside as an individual with the potential to develop even more as a pass-rusher.” Sobelski added.
The 2026 draft is far away, but the Patriots would be elated if they could land a defender as versatile as Faulk.