NFL DC Praises Patriots' Free Agency: Got 'Playmakers At All 3 Levels of The Defense'

One AFC defensive coordinator is a huge fan of the New England Patriots' work to shore up their defense in free agency, per comments made to Mike Giardi of the Boston Globe.

"They've gotten playmakers at all three levels of the defense," the DC told Giardi.

"I'd be excited by that. It gives them more options to play the defense Mike (Vrabel) wants. They'll be aggressive. They aren't going to let some quarterback sit back there and pick them apart. Someone like Williams can wreck a play a second in, and we know there aren't too many QBs who like interior pressure. If (Christian) Barmore is healthy, good luck."

The Patriots have spent significant resources on defense, adding lineman Milton Williams, cornerback Carlton Davis II, edge-rusher Harold Landry III and linebacker Robert Spillane in free agency.

All four are big investments, with Williams at four years and $104 million, Davis at three years and $60 million, Landry at three years and $43.5 million and Spillane at three years and $33 million. The Pats also added some depth at tackle with Khyiris Tonga for one year and $2.1 million.

It's a massive overhaul for a 4-13 Patriots team undergoing a complete revamp, led by head coach Mike Vrabel coming aboard. New England finished 22nd in scoring defense last year, its lowest mark since 1995. Obviously, the Pats set out to change that trend by adding four new starters for big money.

We'll see how it all transpires come September, but on paper, the Patriots' defense looks much-improved even before the team gets to add more talent via the draft in April.