5 Free Agents Who Won't Be Signing with the New England Patriots

From Darrelle Revis to Devin McCourty and many in between, the New England Patriots have plenty of their own potential free agents to worry about before they get concerned with the free agents who will be available on the open market.

They also have a salary-cap situation that sits them roughly $4 million over the cap, according to Spotrac. Indeed, the Patriots must get right back to work if they're going to have a prayer of repeating as Super Bowl champions in 2015.

Bill Belichick should be thinking about borrowing a phrase from Bruce Springsteen's lyric book and take care of his own, but the Patriots will eventually need to add some talent to their roster at a few positions to help round out the depth chart in spots where they could potentially lose players. 

Despite the Patriots' status as defending Super Bowl champions, they're not going to land every free agent they have their sights set on. Here are a few of the players who won't be playing for the Patriots in 2015.

Brian Orakpo, Washington Redskins

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In 2014, the Patriots had a glaring need for depth at defensive end. Chandler Jones and Rob Ninkovich were coming off the heels of participating in more snaps than any other defensive end in the league the year before, according to Pro Football Focus. The Patriots took a few shots at the board, drafting Concordia defensive end Zach Moore and signing New Orleans Saints defensive end Will Smith.

Moore remains a work in progress, and Smith didn't even make the team. Thus, Jones and Ninkovich bore the weight of the Patriots pass rush on their shoulders. But while the Patriots may still be in search of depth, they are not in search of top-end talent.

That's why Washington Redskins outside linebacker Brian Orakpo won't be playing for the Patriots anytime soon, despite a history of getting after the quarterback and a scheme-versatile style of play that could fit in the Patriots' game plan defense.

On sheer name recognition alone, Orakpo could command a contract that would be out of the Patriots' price range. The Patriots are never ones to pay for name recognition, especially at a position where they are already set for starters.

DeMarco Murray, Dallas Cowboys

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Dallas Cowboys running back DeMarco Murray broke out in 2013 and broke records in 2014, becoming the first back in NFL history to begin the season with a string of eight games rushing for 100 yards or more. Now that he's broken out and broken records, teams will most likely be breaking the bank for his services as a free agent in 2015.

With Stevan Ridley and Shane Vereen both set to become free agents in 2015, the running back position will certainly be hotly debated this offseason. The question for most will be whether to bring back one or both of the Patriots' key free agents, or to go out and add a running back or two in the draft. Some will wonder whether they should go into the open market and hope to hit a home run at the running back position.

The Patriots have never been in the business of giving running backs big contracts, and Murray should be no different. Murray will most likely be well out of the Patriots' price range at running back, where they value youth over experience. 

Wes Welker, Denver Broncos

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When Wes Welker left the Patriots to sign a two-year contract with the Denver Broncos, Patriots fans immediately began wondering whether the slot machine would make his return to Foxborough at the end of his deal with Denver.

Two years, several concussions, a drug suspension and a personalized space helmet later, a lot has changed for Welker and the Patriots. Before Welker left, the Patriots quickly signed wide receiver Danny Amendola to a five-year, $28.5 million contract. But now, the Patriots could potentially unload Amendola's contract this offseason. That might have opened up a spot for Welker, were it not for Julian Edelman.

The Patriots' homemade slot receiver has caught 197 passes for 2,028 yards and 10 touchdowns in the past two seasons. 

With so many options over the middle already, it would be most wise for the Patriots to add a receiver on the outside who can complement Brandon LaFell. If the Patriots are going to add a receiver to the fold, it most certainly will not be a slot receiver—an aging, worn-down one at that. 

Ndamukong Suh, Detroit Lions

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Vince Wilfork is not getting any younger. The Patriots realize this, and have already started a youth movement at defensive tackle with the likes of Sealver Siliga and Dominique Easley leading the way. The question will be whether that is enough to keep the Patriots satisfied at defensive tackle, or if they feel a pressing need to add more talent to the inside of the defensive line.

The Patriots could definitely use a versatile, run-stuffing, pass-rushing presence like Detroit Lions defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh in the middle. The three-time AP All-Pro has notched eight sacks or more in three of his five seasons in the NFL. He has also earned a reputation as a dirty player who is not afraid to hit and stomp and step on people after the whistle.

Those prior transgressions would probably not deter the Patriots from pursuing Suh. Just look at players like Brandon Meriweather, who famously took part in an epic Miami vs. FIU brawl (see him at 0:49 in the linked video) before the Patriots drafted him in the first round in 2007. Look at Albert Haynesworth, who was involved in much worse off-field lapses in judgment. 

What would deter the Patriots from Suh? The price tag. They are simply not desperate enough at defensive tackle right now to warrant this kind of spending, as Suh will most likely command a contract worth in the neighborhood of $9.5 million per year, according to Spotrac's Michael Ginnitti.

Jordan Cameron, Cleveland Browns

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At 6'5" and 249 pounds, Cleveland Browns tight end Jordan Cameron is another former basketball player in a line of big-bodied tight ends who have made a big impact in the NFL in recent years. His contract is set to expire this offseason, and he does not plan on returning to the team, according to CBS Sports' Jason La Canfora.

Cameron has been dangerous when he's been on the field, and notched 80 receptions for 917 yards and seven touchdowns in 15 games in 2013. But other than the 2013 season, he has missed at least two games each year. The Patriots do need some depth at tight end, but while Rob Gronkowski made it through the 2014 season unscathed, it would be unwise to invest in another injury-prone tight end on the roster.

Besides, after trading left guard Logan Mankins for tight end Tim Wright days before the season began, it's unlikely the Patriots will look to make more sweeping changes at the position this offseason.