Patriots wide receiver Stefon Diggs scores a touchdown against the Falcons on Sunday, his second of the season.
Patriots wide receiver Stefon Diggs scores a touchdown against the Falcons on Sunday, his second of the season.Danielle Parhizkaran/Globe Staff
FOXBOROUGH — The Patriots have turned over more than half of their roster since hiring Mike Vrabel as coach.
After a forgettable 2024 offseason, New England’s revamped front office, led by executive vice president of player personnel Eliot Wolf and newly hired vice president of player personnel Ryan Cowden, bounced back with a slew of impactful signings.
Let’s revisit the offseason free agent additions and assess their impact midway through the season . . .
Wide receiver Stefon Diggs: The Patriots initially pursued Chris Godwin during the offseason, but turned to Diggs once Godwin opted to stay in Tampa. The pivot has worked out terrifically. Coming off a torn ACL at the age of 31, Diggs has led the team in receiving yards in three games, including a 10-catch, 146-yard performance against Buffalo in Week 5. His 84.9 percent catch rate is among the league’s best. The production, though, is just one aspect of Diggs’s impact. He delivers a fiery pregame speech weekly. He checks in with offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels to see if there’s messaging he can help echo to his teammates. The younger receivers have gravitated to his veteran presence. Through 10 games, this version of Diggs has been nothing but a positive.
The Patriots' Milton Williams wraps up Titans quarterback Cam Ward for a sack on Oct. 19.
The Patriots' Milton Williams wraps up Titans quarterback Cam Ward for a sack on Oct. 19.Danielle Parhizkaran/Globe Staff
Defensive tackle Milton Williams: There were questions about how Williams would handle a heavier workload after serving as a rotational player for his first four seasons, but he’s thrived in an increased role. Williams is on pace for a career season, already with 3½ sacks, seven quarterback hits, and 23 tackles, including six for a loss. He’s been on the field for 65.1 percent of the defense’s snaps — a nearly 20-point increase from his final season in Philadelphia. He’s played an integral part in New England’s elite run-stopping unit and has generated pressure at times as well.
Nose tackle Khyiris Tonga: Tonga might be New England’s most underrated addition of the year. He signed a one-year, $2.1 million contract that largely flew under the radar in comparison to the likes of Williams (four years, $104 million) and Diggs (three years, $63.5 million). But Tonga has had a major impact on New England’s defense, emerging as a more-than-capable run-stuffer. Last week, he also took his first snap as a fullback.
Linebacker K’Lavon Chaisson has been among the most productive of the Patriots' free-agent signings with 5 1/2 sacks and nine quarterback hits.
Linebacker K’Lavon Chaisson has been among the most productive of the Patriots' free-agent signings with 5 1/2 sacks and nine quarterback hits.Matthew J. Lee/Globe staff
Outside linebacker K’Lavon Chaisson: Chaisson would be the other name in contention for most underrated addition, as he signed a one-year, $3 million contract. He’s registered 5½ sacks and nine quarterback hits this season, and also returned a fumble for a touchdown. Chaisson, who turned 26 during training camp, will probably be in line for a bigger pay day when he hits unrestricted free agency in the offseason.
Outside linebacker Harold Landry: The Patriots ranked last in the league in sacks in 2024, finishing with just 28 and struggling to generate consistent pressure. Landry has helped revitalize the pass rush, logging 5½ sacks and 12 quarterback hits through nine games. The problem for the Patriots is that they have little depth behind Landry and Chaisson, especially after trading Keion White.
Center Garrett Bradbury: Moving on from David Andrews was a surprising decision this past March, but Bradbury has stepped in seamlessly. Although Bradbury, at 6-feet-3-inches and 300 pounds, is considered slightly undersized, he has held his ground well. According to Pro Football Focus, Bradbury has allowed just eight pressures, two quarterback hits, and zero sacks this season. He’s also played an important role in creating more camaraderie among the offensive line, organizing weekly dinners.
Right tackle Morgan Moses: Moses quickly emerged as one of the non-captain leaders in the locker room. With 12 seasons of NFL experience, he has served as a valuable resource for rookies Will Campbell and Marcus Bryant. According to Pro Football Focus, Moses grades out as an average tackle — which is certainly a step up from previous seasons.
Linebacker Robert Spillane: After missing eight tackles in Weeks 1 and 2, Spillane has missed just four in Weeks 3-9. He has settled in as a key interior piece of New England’s defense following a tough start to the year. Spillane, who has been on the field for 96.4 percent of the defense’s snaps, leads the team in tackles (72) and also has two interceptions. Along with Williams and Tonga, he has played a critical part in New England’s dominant run defense.
Linebacker Christian Elliss: The Patriots decided to match the Raiders’ offer sheet to Elliss, retaining him on a two-year, $13.5 million contract. Elliss has often lined up as the other starting inside linebacker alongside Spillane, but also struggled with missed tackles earlier in the season. He had a particularly tough stretch in which he was benched for Jack Gibbens. It’s possible Gibbens will see even more playing time moving forward because Elliss is currently dealing with a hip injury.
Linebacker Jack Gibbens: Gibbens leads the team in special teams snaps, as a member of all four units — kickoff and punt coverage as well as kickoff and punt return. In the spots that he’s played on defense, he’s tackled well with just one missed tackle on the season. His experience working with interim defensive play caller Zak Kuhr and coach Mike Vrabel has shown.
Wide receiver Mack Hollins: Hollins is part of the starting rotation of receivers. He’s a big-bodied receiver who is often on the field to help block in the running game, but also has caught 20 passes on 23 targets for 217 yards and two touchdowns. Thirteen of his 20 receptions have been for a first down.
Cornerback Carlton Davis: Davis could clean up his penalties, as he leads the team with six (three pass interference and three holding). Playing on the perimeter opposite Christian Gonzalez, Davis has had his ups and downs in coverage. According to Pro Football Focus, he’s allowed 24 catches on 36 targets for 283 yards and three touchdowns.
Backup quarterback Joshua Dobbs: Dobbs has played just 16 snaps this season. The highlight came in Week 7. With Drake Maye getting evaluated in the blue medical tent, Dobbs shook off a sack on third down to find DeMario Douglas for a 12-yard gain and a first down. Vrabel credited Dobbs for staying ready.
Nicole Yang can be reached at nicole.yang@globe.com.Follow her @nicolecyang.