The New England Patriots continued to prioritize defense on Day 3 of the 2025 NFL Draft, selecting defensive lineman Joshua Farmer of Florida State with the 137th overall pick and edge rusher Bradyn Swinson from LSU with the 146th pick.
After going all offense with their first four picks of the draft, the Patriots tacked to the other side of the ball on Saturday, first with safety Craig Woodson, and then Farmer and Swinson, adding a needed dose of youth to a defensive front that was largely remade during free agency with proven NFL vets.
Farmer, a 6'3", 305-pound lineman, brings a versatile skill set that should fit well into the Patriots new defensive front. He's powerful enough to play inside on passing downs but has the athleticism to shift outside against the run. Farmer's motor and ability to penetrate gaps align well with New England's emphasis on disruption along the defensive line.
Alongside veteran free agent additions Milton Williams and Khyiris Tonga, as well as veteran Christian Barmore who has been participating in the team's voluntary offseason workouts after missing most of 2024 with a blood clots diagnosis, Farmer could carve out an early rotational role, especially if he proves effective against the run — a known priority for the Patriots' front seven.
Bradyn Swinson, a former teammate of first-round pick Will Campbell at LSU, is a long, rangy edge rusher (6'4", 245 pounds) with a quick first step and solid bend around the corner. He has experience playing both as a stand-up outside linebacker and with his hand in the dirt, showing the kind of versatility that should help boost his chances of earning a role on defense.
While he'll likely begin his career as a situational pass rusher and special teams contributor, Swinson has the tools to develop into a disruptive rotational piece.
After taking just one defensive player in last year's draft, the Patriots balanced out their 2025 draft haul on Saturday, addressing multiple positions of need on defense with quality depth that should raise the level of competition across the roster.
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