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FOXBOROUGH — Cory Durden is a talker. A random poll of Patriots players reveals the defensive tackle is one of the biggest talkers on the roster. That assessment is backed up by coach Mike Vrabel. “I’ve got to try to shut Cory Durden up,” Vrabel said of their regular interactions. “I’m like, ‘OK, Cory, you made your point.’ ” Vrabel, who was known as extremely voluble as a player, clearly has a high level of affection for the 6-foot-4-inch, 305-pound Durden, who is back for his second season in New England. “He’s played hard [and] has great energy,” Vrabel said. “[Football] means a lot to him. It’s important to him. “He’s easy to coach. You can coach him hard, and he usually tries to make the corrections and comes back. I think he has continued to improve. He’s played well in the run game, flashed a little bit of first- and second-down pass rush, and [is] able to get into the pocket.” Asked about Vrabel’s comments, Durden smiled. “I’ve always been that way,” he said following Monday’s practice. “You know, talking trash is a part of it. I mean, we’re some of the best players in the world. So why not have fun while you’re out there?” The 27-year-old has grown into more than just a trash talker. Durden, who was added to the active roster off the practice squad prior to last season, jumped from the Lions to the Rams to the Giants, before signing with the Patriots last August. Durden played in all 17 games last season, finishing with 30 tackles, including five for loss, and 16 quarterback hurries. He also played in all four postseason contests, adding a pair of quarterback hits. He proved to be dependable against the run, stepping into a starting role when Khyiris Tonga went down and providing a sturdy presence. With Tonga leaving in free agency, Durden is going to be asked to do more in 2026. He’s slid nicely into a starting role this summer, working with a reasonable facsimile of the No. 1 defense alongside Milton Williams and Christian Barmore. On Monday, with Barmore in a limited role, Durden was front and center through the fully padded practice, and was active in stopping the run and getting after the passer. “I feel like I’ve progressed the way that I need to,” Durden said. “I’m right on track where I want to be. Just trying to be prepared for Week 1 against Seattle, so I feel like I’m right on track. “In the scheme, I’m playing fast. I know this defense like the back of my hand. It’s my second year in it, so I know what everybody’s doing around me. So just being able to play fast, it’s very helpful.” Durden and the rest of the defense up front have been very stout against the ground game in practice. While it’s a small sample size — live tackling is minimized in training camp — it’s clearly been a point of emphasis, as the Patriots didn’t allow an opposing running back to break 50 yards through nine games last season. “You guys know how last year started. We went [nine] in a row, under 50 yards. So you know the pride is there,” Durden said. “To be successful in the NFL, you have to stop the run, and then, earn the right to rush the passer.” Durden’s personal goal for 2026 is simple: become a better pass rusher. He wants to get to five sacks. To that end, he spent a sizable portion of the offseason working out in Las Vegas with Quinnen Williams (41.5 career sacks) and Kenny Clark (38), interior linemen who have shown an ability to get after the quarterback. “Just being active in the pass rush and trying to get on the field on third down,” Durden said. “Being able to soak up knowledge from guys like that is very helpful, because you know those guys … I mean, Quinnen Williams just got that massive contract. You know, those guys are dominant players.” Williams just signed a three-year, $105.9 million deal with the Cowboys. Asked about that contract, a talker such as Durden can tell you that some things are better left unsaid. “That’s the goal,” he said with a smile. “Don’t say that too loud right now. Don’t get me in trouble. But that’s the goal.” Christopher Price can be reached at christopher.price@globe.com. Follow him on Bluesky at christopherprice.bsky.social.