NFL insider names potential X factor for Patriots in 2025

The New England Patriots did a ton of maneuvering this offseason as they attempted to improve one of the league’s worst rosters. The team went 4-13 last season, and as a result, brought in a new coaching staff led by franchise legend Mike Vrabel, and made plenty of moves in free agency.

Of course, the moves that received most of the talk this offseason were the signings of star wide receiver Stefon Diggs and defensive lineman Milton Williams. Harold Landry III and Carlton Davis II were other notable additions who should help the defense out immediately.

However, there is one offseason addition who may be flying under the radar so far. ESPN’s Mike Clay identified a nonstarter that everybody should know for the Patriots, and K’Lavon Chaisson was the pick. Chaisson was added on a one-year, $5 million deal to provide depth on the edge.

Regarding Chaisson’s potential impact, Clay offered the following:

Edge rusher K’Lavon Chaisson. A former first-round pick who struggled in his four seasons with the Jaguars, Chaisson finally had a productive year as a part-time edge rusher for Las Vegas last season. He put up 5.0 sacks — all in the final six games — and 24 pressures. Was the breakout for real, and how much can Chaisson contribute to the Patriots’ pass rush?

As Clay mentioned, Chaisson is a former first-round pick who has never lived up to his draft status. There were some encouraging signs last year, though, as Chaisson racked up a career-high five sacks and 24 pressures with the Las Vegas Raiders.

That’s still not an eye-popping stat sheet, but it was more impressive considering all of those sacks were in the final six games of the season. It’s possible that Chaisson could thrive in a rotational role in New England, picking up where he left off in Vegas.

Landry and Anfernee Jennings will be the starters on the edge for the Patriots. However, neither of those guys are elite, so the team will definitely need some talented pass-rushers to rotate in. Now on his third team, Chaisson should freed of any pressure he felt as a top pick in Jacksonville, and that could allow the talented athlete to finally reach his potential.