Notable Free Agents

CB- Aqib Talib

WR- Julian Edelman

C- Ryan Wendell

LB- Brandon Spikes

RB- LeGarrette Blount

LS- Matthew Mulligan

2014 Draft Picks

Round one Pick 29

Round two Pick 61

Round three Pick 93

Round four Pick 126

Round six Pick 182

Round six Pick 190

Round Seven Pick 221

Draft Prospects

First and foremost on the Patriots agenda must be shoring up their defense. During the 2013 season this unit allowed 239 passing yards and 134.1 rushing yards per game, ranking them 18th and 30th in those respective categories. On this note, expect New England to target defensive prospects early and often in the draft.

Pass rush was a problem last season for the Patriots, and Notre Dame defensive end Stephon Tuitt could be a solution to that issue as staple of New England’s defensive line Vince Wilfork should be ready to secure the center of the Patriots’ defense in 2014.

Should Tuitt not be available, rising prospect and dynamic edge rusher Dee Ford would add tenacity into a defensive unit that lacked heart through much of 2013. Another option towards the end of the first round is Missoui's defensive end Cony Ealy who would be another pass-rushing phenom on the outside.  With the future of free agent cornerback Aqib Talib in doubt as well, corner Jason Verrett out of TCU could be another late first round bargain for New England.

Biggest Offseason Needs

Wide Receiver: Tom Brady needs another weapon, that much is certain as the aging veteran had his worst statistical season in nearly a decade.

Linebacker: Yes Jerod Mayo is more than capable at running a defense, but it takes more than one impact player to shore up an ailing defensive front and match that with Mayo’s health issues and a glaring need is exposed in the Patriots’ front seven.

Cornerback: As I said above, without Talib the Patriots’ have no shutdown corners, something opposing offensive coordinators dream about. This is not 2004, New England can’t out score everyone anymore, and their defense must adapt to this trend.

One Player New England Should Target: Eric Decker

Decker would be the perfect free agent signing for the Patriots and not just from a revenge standpoint. Last offseason Brady’s long-lost love was stolen out from under Bill Belichik’s nose by the Denver Broncos, would not stealing one of Peyton Manning’s toy’s be the perfect Patriot move?

Decker would add a legitimate number-one receiving option into the mix while distracting defenses from Rob Gronkowski over the middle.

One Player New England Must Retain: Aqib Talib

While this may be beating a dead horse, Talib was the lifeline of the Patriots’ defense in 2013 after the team lost Wilfork and Mayo. Without Talib, or a similar talent via the draft or free agency, New England’s secondary is a lock for one of the worst in the league. Many would cite Julain Edelman as the top target for retention in New England, but this would be a personnel mistake of the worst kind. If there ever was a case of quarterback making the receiver it is this, and the Patriots would be wise to let the young wideout walk.

Players in Need of Extensions

Safety Devin McCourty was the lone bright-spot in the New England secondary not named Talib last year and should receive an extension prior to him hitting free agency next offseason. Still playing on his rookie contract, McCourty provides a sense of security in coverage that enables the Patriots’ defensive line to get after the quarterback with reckless abandon.

After playing every offensive snap for the Patriots in 2013, expect center Ryan Wendell to receive a sizeable extension keeping him locked up as a member of Brady’s protection for the long term Alongside Logan Mankins, Wendell may be one of the most important pieces in the puzzle that is the Patriots’ offensive line.

Overall Offseason Outlook

The AFC East gets more competitive each and every year as the Miami Dolphins, Buffalo Bills, and New York Jets try to climb out of the realm of mediocrity to reach the summit of a division that has belonged to New England for over a decade. To stem the tide of change, the Patriots must find a way to shore up their defense while adding offensive firepower to offset the aging Brady’s imminent decline.

While I’m not writing off the UGG boot wearing gunslinger form the northeast, the man is not getting any younger. Now ten seasons since his team last won a Super Bowl, it may be time to surround the aging quarterback with weapons in a scenario similar to Manning’s in Denver; and what better way to do this than stealing Eric Decker off the free agent market?

On defense, the Patriots must find a way to pressure the quarterback. While the injuries to Wilfork and Mayo certainly didn’t help New England’s cause last year, there are other issues in the front seven that adding new bodies might solve. In addition, Brandon Spikes is unlikely to return to the team after a dispute which landed him on IR in 2013, leaving a gaping hole in the linebacking corps. The Patriots must add firepower to a depleted defensive front or risk falling by the wayside in what promises to be an interesting division race in 2014.