New England Patriots Free Agency: 7 UDFAs the Patriots Should Sign Post-Lockout

Many teams are waiting anxiously on the resolution of the collective bargaining agreement so that they can go on with their regularly scheduled 2011 NFL offseason. At this point, though, the offseason is far from "regularly scheduled," as it has already put free agency on hold for over four months.

Teams are chomping at the bit to fill out their rosters, picking up on some of the top undrafted free agents that are available to generate more competition at the bottom of the roster, or maybe just to pick up a player that the team didn't have enough selections in the draft to pick up.

The New England Patriots are always trying to find those diamonds in the rough, and here are just a few they could look to bring on when the offseason "officially" gets underway.

Erik Frenz is the co-host of the PatsPropaganda and Frenz podcast. Follow Erik on Twitter @erikfrenz

Zach Hurd, G Connecticut

Furthermore, the Patriots love a guard that can pull and block in space. This type of interior linemen allows them to run screens and short routes more effectively, as those players can get out and start blocking quickly.

It's no coincidence that Jordan Todman and Donald Brown have both been highly-touted prospects coming out of UConn, as well. They've had solid run-blocking offensive linemen to run behind. One of the main strengths of the interior of the Patriots offensive line for years has been in the running game, and the Patriots need to find more talented interior linemen to take over for the likes of Steve Neal and Logan Mankins (should he ever leave).

Finally, he was named to the All-Big East first team in 2010, and was also nominated for the Allstate AFCA Good Works team for his charitable contributions to the community. The New England Patriots love a guy that gives back to his community, and perhaps that could be the sterling check mark that pushes Belichick to take the plunge.

Ian Williams, DT Notre Dame

Over the past couple of years, the Patriots defense has largely comprised a large group of role players or specialists. This plays right into Williams' hands, as one of his biggest knocks was his lack of endurance.

His scouting report reads like a veritable wish list of New England's defensive linemen. He has short arms but still anchors well in the running game, occupying multiple defenders to allow his teammates to make the plays. He has experience playing in a 3-4 system at Notre Dame. He can occupy multiple defenders without being overpowered and has solid gap discipline, meaning he won't get caught out of position.

He doesn't come without his limitations, though, as he won't be much more than a run-stuffing defensive linemen.

The Patriots have a laundry list of defensive linemen, but they could take a low-risk, medium-reward shot on Williams to bring some more competition on the line.

Armon Binns, WR Cincinnati

There is time yet for Brandon Tate and Taylor Price to develop into legitimate targets in the passing game, but adding another body to the competition couldn't hurt.

The two best receivers on the roster, Wee Wes Welker and Deion Branch, are both shrouded in uncertainty, as well. Welker's contract expires after the 2011 season, and who knows if he will successfully rebound after a down season in 2010 that saw him drop a league-high 13 passes. Deion Branch is 32 years old and has a history of injury. He could continue to produce, but better safe than sorry, right?

Regardless of those two, Binns' 6'2", 210-pound frame would provide New England a physical receiver on the outside that could win one-on-one matchups. That weakness that was exposed by the New York Jets in the playoff loss in January. He has the sure hands and ball skills that would make him a great red zone target for Tom Brady, as supported by both his size and his 21 touchdowns in the past two years.

Craig Marshall, DE South Florida

The Patriots had one opportunity after another to address their biggest need: a pass rusher. They waited until the sixth round and picked up the most obscure prospect from the most obscure school Bill Belichick could possibly find. Is Central Arkansas DE/OLB Markell Carter a diamond in the rough? Who knows.

Still, adding more bodies to a pass rush that was inept in 2010 could be a priority for Belichick. In terms of the best pass rushers available on the board, Craig Marshall could be up there. He has exactly the right size for the position, at 6'5" and 270 pounds. Even as just an edge rusher, Marshall could find his way into some playing time.

He may have only logged nine sacks in his collegiate career and four in each of the past two years, but if nothing else, his presence adds another level of competition to the outside linebacker group.

Jake Kirkpatrick, C Texas Christian

The aging interior of New England's offensive line is no secret to those who follow the team. There are some promising young prospects, but one spot where the Patriots have yet to find their replacement is at center. Dan Koppen will be 32 at the beginning of the 2011 season.

As most undrafted free agents do, he comes with his share of ups and downs. His inconsistent technique may be cause for concern for some teams, but studying under offensive line coach Dante Scarnecchia will give him one of the best mentors in the game to learn from.

He didn't win the Rimington Award as the nation's top center for nothing, though. The fact that he wasn't even on the watch list at the start of the season is a testament to his hard-working nature, which will certainly earn him brownie points with Bill Belichick.

Steven Friday, OLB Virginia Tech

It's not as though Friday will step in and become a three-down starter in the Patriots defense as an undrafted free agent, but one area that the Patriots failed to address (at least until the sixth round with the selection of Markell Carter) was at outside linebacker/defensive end.

They clearly need an improvement in their sub package pass defense, and though they're hoping to get some improvement in that area with the addition of Ras-I Dowling, adding a pass rusher couldn't hurt. Friday tallied 8.5 sacks last year to go with 14 tackles behind the line of scrimmage.

He's a little small for the Patriots system, at 6'2" and 246 pounds, but many pass rush specialists that were considered too small for the 3-4 front have gone on to develop into stellar players in that scheme.

Terrence Toliver, WR Louisiana State

A productive collegiate career in the SEC is no small feat, especially going against the many tough defenses that conference has to offer. Still, Toliver posted 94 receptions for 1,314 yards and eight touchdowns in his final two years at LSU combined.

Much like Binns, Toliver brings size dimensions to the Patriots receiving corps that they currently lack. At 6'3" and 212 pounds, he's easily the biggest receiver on the roster.

He also has a good deal of speed and could be that deep threat that the Patriots supposedly lacked in the playoff loss to the Jets.