Patriots Have Two ‘Guaranteed Risers,’ NFL Analyst Predicts

If defense wins championships, the New England Patriots are well-positioned to contend during the 2025 NFL campaign.

The team spent a lot of money during the offseason to rebuild its defense under new head coach Mike Vrabel.

When the Patriots’ defense takes the field next month at training camp, it will have two “guaranteed risers,” according to NFL.com’s Marc Ross, who identified seven players overall who will improve in 2025. First up is cornerback Christian Gonzalez.

“The third-year cornerback has already shown he can play at a high level,” Ross wrote Monday. “After a promising rookie season ended due to injury just four games into the year, Gonzalez proved why he was a first-round pick by routinely shutting down his side of the gridiron in 2024.

“Gonzalez allowed only one reception for 58 yards on 13 deep targets (20-plus air yards) last season, per Next Gen Stats. He was one of only three cornerbacks to not allow multiple deep receptions (minimum 10 targets). He enters the 2025 campaign with a proven cornerback playing opposite him in veteran Carlton Davis III, who won a Super Bowl in Tampa and was a playmaker for Aaron Glenn’s unit in Detroit last season.”

Last year, Gonzalez missed just one game and had a pair of interceptions, one fumble recovery and 59 tackles, earning second team All-Pro honors.

The 17th overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, Gonzalez is entering the third year of his four-year rookie contract, which includes a team option for the fifth year.

The other Patriots defender catching Ross’ attention is defensive lineman Milton Williams, who played less than 50% of defensive snaps during his four years with the Philadelphia Eagles.

“In a backup role behind first-round draft picks Jordan Davis and Jalen Carter, Williams totaled a career-high five sacks and 35 QB pressures in 2024 (both third on the team),” Ross wrote. “His 12.9 percent QB pressure rate was highest among NFL defensive tackles, per Next Gen Stats. He saved his best performance for last with two sacks in the Eagles’ Super Bowl LIX victory.”

The Patriots signed Williams in March to a four-year, $104 million contract. Ross predicted that by playing on New England’s overhauled defense, Williams is well-positioned to improve on his breakout 2024 season, which saw him record one forced fumble, one fumble recovery and 10 quarterback hits.

Williams and the Patriots will return to Gillette Stadium on July 22 when they report for training camp.