The New England Patriots made it clear this offseason: fixing the interior of their defensive line wasn’t just a priority-it was a mission. And so far, that investment is paying off.
It started with a splash. The Patriots handed Milton Williams the biggest contract in franchise history, anchoring the middle of their defense with a versatile, disruptive presence.
Then came the return of Christian Barmore, who missed nearly all of 2024 due to off-field health issues. Add in the signing of nose tackle Khyiris Tonga and a trade-up to grab Florida State’s Joshua Farmer in the fourth round, and suddenly, New England’s defensive front looked deeper, stronger, and more dynamic than it had in years.
But what’s really stood out isn’t just the top-line talent-it’s the depth. The Patriots have been getting meaningful contributions from across the board, and it’s been crucial as injuries have started to pile up.
Tonga, in particular, has been having a career year. He’s been a force in the middle, clogging up lanes and anchoring the run defense.
Farmer, despite limited snaps, has made his presence felt with his burst and motor. Even Cory Durden, a practice squad elevation, has stepped into a significant role-logging over 300 snaps and grading out as Pro Football Focus’ seventh-best pass rusher at his position.
That’s not just filling in; that’s producing.
But the injury bug hasn’t spared this group. Williams just returned to practice after missing several weeks with a high ankle sprain.
Tonga is expected to miss a week or two with a foot injury. And Farmer is now on injured reserve after a hamstring injury against Baltimore.
That means it’s next man up-again. And that man is Eric Gregory.
Eric Gregory: From Undrafted to Unexpected Contributor
Gregory’s story is the kind of underdog arc NFL teams dream about. The undrafted rookie out of Arkansas didn’t make it past August with the Bengals, despite initially cracking their 53-man roster. But the Patriots scooped him up the very next day, and that move is starting to look like a smart one.
At Arkansas, Gregory was a steady, productive presence on the defensive line, logging over 2,200 career snaps. His final two seasons were especially strong: PFF grades of 74.7 and 75.3 overall, with elite run defense grades north of 81.0.
He wasn’t just a space-eater-he was disruptive. In 2024, he posted career highs in tackles and run stops, while cutting down on missed tackles and notching four sacks-matching his total from the previous three seasons combined.
Still, his rookie year in New England started quietly. He was inactive until Week 11 against the Jets, and even then, he saw just 54 total snaps over the next three weeks.
But then came Sunday Night Football against the Ravens-and Gregory stepped up. He played a career-high 22 snaps and earned a 74.6 PFF grade, the best of his young NFL career.
Now, with Tonga and Farmer sidelined and Williams just easing back in, Gregory is likely to be thrust into a major role over the next couple of weeks. And the timing couldn’t be more important.
The Patriots are set to face two teams that love to run the football. Both rank in the top half of the league in run-play percentage, and one of them-Miami-has run the ball on over half of its snaps in the last three weeks. That puts a premium on interior defenders who can hold the point of attack, shed blocks, and make stops in the trenches.
That’s exactly where Gregory fits in. He’s a true nose tackle with the size and skill set to anchor the middle.
And while he’s still raw in some areas, the flashes are there. His performance against Baltimore showed he can hold his own-and maybe more.
This is the kind of moment that can define a young player’s trajectory. Gregory doesn’t need to be a star overnight. But if he can give the Patriots solid, reliable snaps in the middle while the rest of the line gets healthy, it could be a game-changer for the defense.
Keep an eye on No. 55 over the next couple of weeks. He’s earned his shot-and now, the Patriots are counting on him to make it count.