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Patriots Urged to Add Former First Overall Pick

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Douglas Santo | Last updated Jun 19, 2025 3:20 PM ET

One of the New England Patriots' main points of emphasis this offseason was addressing their defensive front. New England ranked last in the NFL in 2024 in sacks with just 28 on the season.

The Patriots went out and signed Harold Landry III, Milton Williams, and K'Lavon Chaisson in free agency in an attempt to address the matter. They took it a step further by drafting Brady Swinson in the 2025 NFL Draft.

With New England's additions this offseason, there's a lot of excitement and optimism around the potential of the new-look defensive front. However, there's one particular free agent that is still available that could add yet another edge to the Patriots' front four.

Bleacher Report's Kristopher Knox suggested that the Patriots sign free-agent edge rusher Jadeveon Clowney.

"Defensively, the Patriots should add another pass-rusher before camp," Knox wrote. "They added Harold Landry III and Milton Williams in free agency, but they could afford another contributor on the edge. The defense recorded just 28 sacks last season and could benefit from a free agent like Za'Darius Smith or Jadeveon Clowney."

Clowney is a former first-overall pick by the Texans in the 2014 NFL Draft and has built an impressive 11-year career in the NFL.

In his final three years with the Texans, Clowney earned three straight trips to the Pro Bowl while collecting 24.5 sacks over that stretch.

Since Clowney's final season with the Texans in 2018, the veteran has played for five teams in the last six years, including a year with the Titans when now-Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel was in charge.

Although Clowney's numbers haven't been the most consistent over his career, the edge rusher has collected at least nine sacks and 19 quarterback hits twice in the last four seasons.

The Patriots' defensive front looks to be in good shape heading into 2025, but Clowney would bring a veteran presence alongside Landry and has experience with Vrabel in his past.

The addition of the veteran pass rusher would add depth and power to New England's exciting new front four.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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