New England Patriots’ $104 million investment is already demanding respect from the rest of the NFL while paying huge dividends
Big additions don’t always work out in the NFL, but that clearly isn’t the case with the New England Patriots and Milton Williams after the first year together.
Milton Williams to the New England Patriots was one of the biggest moves of the 2025 offseason and it’s only taken one year for NFL executives, coaches, and scouts to laude the decision.
The proof is in the pudding, as the $104 million player was recently ranked the ninth-best defensive tackle in ESPN’s positional rankings. It’s a big jump from the 2024 season, when he went unranked.
Williams’ ascension is palpable. He missed five games, yet his 17.6% pressure rate against true pass sets was better than Leonard Williams’ regular season mark of 15.6%. The key with the Williams comparison is ESPN ranked him as the No. 1 defensive tackle heading into 2026.
He was even better in the playoffs, logging an incredible 30.8% pressure rate and 1.0 sack against true pass sets. His run defense wasn’t as elite, but it was effective enough to get the job done.
And just imagine what Williams could’ve done at full health. ESPN’s rankings usually dock players a lot of points if they get hurt and most guys don’t make the list if they miss several games. That wasn’t the case for Williams, however, and it demonstrates his dominant play.
“He validated that investment last season, ranking third among interior linemen in pressure rate (9.6%). He also compiled eight tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks in a 12-game campaign that was limited by a high ankle sprain. Williams also led all qualified Patriots defensive linemen in pass rush win rate and run stop win rate last season.
“New England has an anchor up front, and the defense wasn’t the same without him,” an NFL personnel evaluator said. “Explosive, strong and great effort player. And you can move him all around the defensive front and he can be effective.”” – Jeremy Fowler, ESPN
Williams’ presence also made his teammates better. Christian Barmore recorded his highest pressure rate in a single season since his rookie year. K’Lavon Chaisson finished with the highest sack total of his career. Harold Landry recorded the most pressures in a single season of his career since 2021, as well.
The Patriots have all the reason in the world to believe Williams will continue to climb the rankings if he stays healthy and the NFL will definitely prop him up like it already is if he does in fact manage to have an even better season in 2026.