Cornerback

The Patriots thought they were set at cornerback coming into 2011 with Devin McCourty, Ras-I Dowling, Leigh Bodden, and Kyle Arrington. Well McCourty regressed, Dowling got hurt again, and Bodden never recovered from his injury and was cut. Arrington ended up being the #1 cornerback, while guys like Sterling Moore and Antwaun Molden had to play significant snaps. It got so bad that offensive players like Julian Edelman and Matt Slater had to play some defensive back. Sure maybe McCourty bounces back and Arrington doesn’t regress and Dowling stays healthy, but can you really chance it. They gave up the 3^rd most yards in NFL history this year. Expect this to be a primary focus of their offseason.

Safety

Safety was another position of need in their secondary. Without Patrick Chung, their lack of depth at safety was exposed this season. Brandon Meriweather was cut before the season, and rightfully so, but they didn’t have a suitable replacement for him. Look for them to add another safety this offseason.

Defensive Tackle

That Albert Haynesworth deal didn’t work out too well did it. Kyle Love is a solid player, but might be best in a rotational role so they need another defensive tackle in the mix, preferably one who can also play a 3-4 just in case they go to a hybrid scheme next year.

Defensive End

Andre Carter and Mark Anderson were both great one year signings, but they’re free agents and the Patriots will be hesitant to give them long term deals. Besides, if they switch to a hybrid scheme, neither of them have had much success in a 3-4, particularly Carter, who struggled mightily in a 3-4 in Washington in 2010. Carter is also 33 this offseason so a younger end is needed anyway. Look for them to target a young end through the draft who can play in both a 3-4 and a 4-3.

 

Wide Receiver

Wes Welker and Deion Branch are both free agents. Even if both return, both are over 30 years old. So is Chad Ochocinco, who sucked last season. They could sign Brandon Lloyd, but he’s also over 30. They need some young blood at the position for the future.

Center

Both Dan Koppen and Dan Connolly are free agents. Koppen will be allowed to walk. He’s over 30 and coming off a major injury. However, Connolly is someone they will try to resign. I didn’t think he was that great so it couldn’t hurt to add some competition for him.

Guard

Brian Waters is 35 and considering retirement, despite an awesome first year in New England last year where he made the Pro Bowl. Marcus Cannon could be a potential long term solution, but he’s rumored to be moving to tackle long term to backup Sebastian Vollmer and Nate Solder. They’ll need a new guard if he leaves and a potential future successor if he doesn’t.

Tight End

This might not make a lot of sense because they have the best 1-2 tight end combo in the NFL in Gronkowski and Hernandez, but they also like to do a lot of 3 tight end sets and they didn’t have that Alge Crumpler type tight end this year. They used Nate Solder there at times this year, but he’s technically an offensive tackle and is expected to start there next year so they’ll need to find a big blocking tight end to take Crumpler’s old role.