Shortly before the 2024 NFL season began, the New England Patriots traded their top edge rusher, Matthew Judon, to the Atlanta Falcons after a prolonged contract dispute. This was a notable move, given the Patriots’ already thin depth at pass rusher. Later, they dealt fellow edge rusher Josh Uche to the Kansas City Chiefs ahead of the NFL trade deadline.
These moves have left the Patriots with a glaring need at edge rusher. Evan Lazar, writing for the team’s official website, emphasized that New England must address this during the offseason.
“On the edge of the defense, New England must find a finisher in the pass rush who is a worthy replacement for Matthew Judon,” Lazar noted. “The Pats rank 31st in pressure rate from a four-man rush. They’re struggling to generate pressure without blitzing, as starters Keion White and Anfernee Jennings are better early-down edge setters than pass rushers. At minimum, the Patriots need a player like Josh Uche to either kick White inside or take Jennings’ role in the third-down pass rush.”
The good news is that the Patriots will have significant cap space heading into free agency, with several talented edge rushers expected to be available. Since the team is in rebuilding mode, they’ll likely target younger players. Azeez Ojulari and Chase Young are two potential options, and Malcolm Koonce—recovering from a torn ACL that kept him sidelined in 2024—could also be worth considering.
Addressing this issue is critical for the Patriots, as they cannot afford to enter 2025 without a reliable pass rush. How they handle this need in March will be pivotal for the team’s future.
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