Why the Slide?: Josh Farmer

Why the Slide Series

This series was created a number of years ago in response to questions about why certain well-known prospects went unselected in NFL drafts. For these articles, I reach out to sources with NFL teams to find out why their organizations passed on drafting a given player and/or the reasons other teams passed on that prospect. The positive response to “Why Undrafted” and questions from readers about why prospects were drafted lower than the media’s expectations led us to create the parallel series “Why the Slide?”

Both series are back this year. Feel free to email me requests for Why the Slide? and Why Undrafted? at [email protected]. I can’t promise to get to all of them, but I will do my best and definitely will respond to the email.

The Expectations

Early in 2025, there were some draft analysts like NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah who were projecting Florida State defensive tackle Josh Farmer to be a first-round pick. After being a top recruit, he had a solid season playing next to Jared Verse and Braden Fiske as Farmer recorded 32 tackles with five sacks in 2023. Then, as a senior in 2024, he stayed consistent with 32 tackles and four sacks. Farmer showed some strength and upside in his skill set that caused the early-round projections.

The ‘Why’

In speaking to team sources, they felt there were some raw elements to Farmer’s game, and he was a developmental prospect. Some also felt that Farmer would be limited in the pass rush in the NFL. Those issues combined to cause a slide for Farmer.

New England ended Farmer’s slide in the fourth round, and that was a mixed landing spot. The Patriots need some young defensive line talent to emerge, but New England gave out some huge contracts to two veteran interior defensive linemen in Christian Barmore and Milton Williams. Farmer has some limitations, but he brings quality value as a backup. Farmer may never develop into a three-down starter, but he could be a backup rotational nose tackle to keep Williams fresh. As a fourth-rounder, he could be a solid depth player for New England.