The New England Patriots weren’t able to add defensive line depth through the 2026 NFL Draft. But the team did sign a couple undrafted free agents to the defensive front — David Blay Jr. and Travis Shaw.
On Monday, Bleacher Report’s Gary Davenport argued Blay is the most exciting undrafted free agent not only of those two prospects, but of the entire 2026 class for New England.
Davenport suggested that if Blay can bulk up, he has a path to a roster spot this season.
“The Patriots signed very few UDFAs—as of this writing, they can be counted on one hand,” wrote Davenport. “Of that small group, Blay is the best bet to make some noise this summer, especially if he can add 10-15 pounds to his frame.”
Blay played for the Miami Hurricanes in 2025. Prior to that, he registered 10.5 sacks for Louisiana Tech during 2024.
Patriots Should Be Excited About DT David Blay Jr.
Obviously, Blay was quite productive in Conference USA with the Bulldogs. Then at Miami this past season, he was part of an impressive defensive line that helped the Hurricanes advance to the National Championship Game
Blay registered 28 combined tackles, including 2.5 for loss with one pass defense in 2025.
At the next level, the big question is his size. Blay stands at 6-foot-2 and 292 pounds.
“Blay is a slightly undersized nose tackle who climbed from Division II to Conference USA and finally to Miami, where he played for a national title,” wrote NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein. “He takes on single blocks with adequate power to press and separate, but he can be wiped out by double-teams or angle pressure.
“He’s quick to close the distance on quarterbacks when he gets some breathing room but lacks early explosion and hand work to quickly open doors. Blay’s path to a roster might come as an undrafted free agent.”
Despite a smaller body, scouts see Blay as having adequate wingspan and hand size. Zierlein also wrote the defensive tackle has good upper-body power.
So for Blay, it might about him simply putting on a little more mass before training camp.
Patriots Defensive Line Depth Entering NFL Offseason Workouts
In addition to ignoring the unit in the NFL Draft, the Patriots didn’t add a defensive lineman in free agency.
So, the Patriots didn’t really replace interior defensive lineman Khyiris Tonga this offseason. Tonga left in free agency to sign with the Kansas City Chiefs.
That could give Blay an opportunity this fall. If he can bulk up with more weight and continue to showcase his agility and power at that heavier weight, he could carve out a role in New England’s defensive line rotation.
The Patriots will return Milton Williams, Cory Durden and Christian Barmore as their primary defensive linemen without Tonga. Fellow defensive linemen Joshua Farmer, Eric Gregory, Jeremiah Pharms Jr. and Leonard Taylor III are on New England’s offseason roster as well.
New England begins its offseason workout schedule Tuesday. The Patriots will hold three practice day sessions each of the next three weeks.
The team will have its mandatory minicamp from June 15-17.
Undersized DT ‘Best Bet’ to Push for Patriots 2026 Roster Spot