Mike Vrabel Feels Patriots Added 'Premium Players at Every Level' of Defense in NFL FA

New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel is feeling confident heading into the 2025 season after the team added "premium players at every level" of its defense during free agency, but he remains eager to add a few more pieces.

"We're continuing to find ways to strengthen the roster, to improve our roster, to add competition," Vrabel told NFL Network's Judy Battista on Saturday, per NFL's Bobby Kownack. "I think that's something that's critical in a 90-man roster is that there's competition throughout the roster. We were able to add what we feel like are premium players at every level of the defense that can help us. Those players that are currently on our team and the ones that we're adding, (I) feel like we like the person as much as the player, and I feel like that's important when you talk about free agency."

The Patriots were aggressive in March to enhance their defense after finishing last season just outside the top 10 in yards allowed per game with 343.4 yards and in total points allowed per game, giving up an average of 24.5 points. The team finished 22nd in scoring defense, its worst since 1995, per Kownack.

New England added several defensive forces to its lineup, including reigning Super Bowl champion defensive tackle Milton Williams, cornerback Carlton Davis, linebackers Harold Landry, K'Lavon Chaisson and Robert Spillane, defensive tackle Khyiris Tonga and safety Marcus Epps.

With its defense locked in, the Patriots will now shift their focus to adding players to their offense to support 22-year-old quarterback Drake Maye.

The team finished second to last in total yards per game, producing just 291.9 yards of offense last season and third to last in points per game, averaging 17.0.

They've taken some steps in the right direction, including signing four-time Pro Bowler wide receiver Stefon Diggs. Additionally, they added offensive tackle Morgan Moss, guard Wes Schweitzer and center Garrett Bradbury to help support Maye in his second year.

Despite the Patriots' 4-13 season last year, Vrabel is excited about the future of his team, bolstered by his young quarterback and the new additions.

"(Maye is) young, energetic, excited," Vrabel said, per Kownack. "He's just got this very young face, you know what I mean, he's 22 years old. And he's ready to learn. He's hungry to take the next step and he's excited about helping us build a program that everybody's proud of and is headed in the right direction."