Roster: Christian Barmore, Joshua Farmer, Isaiah Iton, Jeremiah Pharms Jr., Jahvaree Ritze, Jaquelin Roy, Khyiris Tonga, Milton Williams

Analysis:

Training camp will be a proving ground for young players looking to cement spots in the rotation behind cornerstones Milton Williams and Christian Barmore. With Barmore appearing healthy and ready to dominate again, he and Williams should form one of the best D-tackle pairings in the NFL. Both have excellent interior pressure skills and could be deployed in a variety of ways to disrupt any offense.

Williams, fresh off a Super Bowl victory with the Eagles, brings championship pedigree and a knack for collapsing pockets and terrorizing quarterbacks. He posted five sacks and a forced fumble in 2024, appearing in all 17 games. Barmore, meanwhile, returns with renewed motivation after a blood clot diagnosis limited him to just four games last season. His spring participation suggests he's ready to reclaim his role as a foundational piece up front.

Behind them, the battle for rotational depth promises to be one of the most intense competitions in camp. Fourth-round rookie Joshua Farmer headlines the challengers. A high-motor disruptor from Florida State, Farmer logged 80 tackles and 11 sacks in college and has the physical tools to contribute immediately.

Veteran Jeremiah Pharms Jr. enters his third season with momentum, having started five games in 2024 and notching 16 solo tackles and two sacks. Pharms' consistency and improvement will make him a factor, while the scheme change could help jumpstart an even bigger season. Jaquelin Roy, a 2024 practice squad call-up, showed flashes before a foot injury cut his year short. His skillset fits the scheme well, and he'll be looking to build on last season's six-game sample.

Isaiah Iton, who spent 2024 on the Titans' practice squad, and Jahvaree Ritze, an undrafted rookie from North Carolina, round out the developmental prospects. Ritzie's college production— 138 tackles, 9 sacks, and an interception over 51 games—suggests upside, while Iton's SEC pedigree gives him a foundation to build on.

The lone true nose tackle in the mix is Khyiris Tonga, a veteran free agent with 53 games of NFL experience. Tonga's role will be specialized, clogging lanes and absorbing double teams on early downs, but his presence adds stability to a group otherwise built on quickness and disruption.

With Vrabel's scheme stressing aggressiveness, the Patriots defensive tackle rotation will be shaped by who can consistently win off the snap. Williams and Barmore are locked in, but the rest of the depth chart is fluid. Farmer's upside, Pharms' consistency, and Roy's potential all make for compelling storylines as camp unfolds.

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