New England Patriots: Top 10 Free Agents to Target

It's official; the NFL lockout is over.

Free agency will likely begin this Friday, where all teams will be able to sign any player on the free agent. Once that period begins, who should Bill Belichick and the New England Patriots target?

New England's obvious need is their pass rush, especially with the recent injury to Tully Banta-Cain who is rumored to be out four-to-five weeks in order to recover from his abdominal surgery—so there's quite the share of pass rushers on this list.

Here are the top 10 free agents that the New England Patriots should target. 

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10. Plaxico Burress

After serving a two-year jail sentence, wide receiver Plaxico Burress is on the open free agent market and ready to make an instant impact to whatever team decides to make the gamble. 

If Burress is in NFL-ready condition, then he's quite the physical specimen as he's a 6'5" target that can run every single pass pattern to perfection and can line up on the outside or even in the slot—he's certainly versatile, and that's something New England thrives on.

The only way that the Patriots will even target Burress is if they're 100 percent sure that he can be a major contributor in 2011 and will completely ditch his off-field issues.  

9. Marcus Spears

Marcus Spears is one pass rusher that's definitely under the radar due to his rather disappointing production as a Dallas Cowboy. 

The 28-year-old has spent his entire six-year career with the Cowboys as a defensive end while only managing to rack up eight career sacks, which is definitely concerning. 

However, Spears definitely has all the physical tangibles to be a solid force on the outside and could thrive in the change of scenery if the Patriots do choose to sign him. 

8. Jason Taylor

Jason Taylor may be 36 years old, but has shown that he can still be a contributor in the NFL as he tallied five sacks last season for the New York Jets.

According to The Palm Beach Post, Taylor wants to play outside one more season in the NFL; so why not in Bill Belichick's 3-4 defense in New England?

Taylor is the ideal outside linebacker/defensive end for New England's scheme and is a veteran that's in the hunt for a Super Bowl victory—which could certainly happen in a Patriots uniform. 

7. Charles Johnson

Defensive end Charles Johnson was quite the replacement for Julius Peppers for the Carolina Panthers last season as he racked up a career-high 12 sacks. 

Johnson should garner in a handful of contract offers this offseason and the Patriots should be one of them.

Bill Belichick has always had his eyes on Peppers but was never able to land the stud pass rusher. He could have a shot at landing Julius Peppers version 2.0 however. 

6. Jason Babin

Jason Babin is a seasoned veteran pass rusher and could flourish in New England's 3-4 defensive system.

Babin played in all 16 games last season for the Tennessee Titans as he recorded a solid 13 total sacks. 

The 31-year-old should receiver a lot of interest from many teams this offseason as he's able to line up in both the 3-4 and the 4-3 defensive systems.

If Bill Belichick wants a player with a solid track record, then Babin is his guy. 

5. Santonio Holmes

Believe it or not, Santonio Holmes would be an amazing fit in New England's offense alongside Wes Welker and Deion Branch.

What Holmes brings to the table that the Patriots lack is his amazing playmaking ability. 

Not only is Holmes a quality deep-threat, but due to his amazing speed, he can turn a simply five-yard slant into a 30-yard play. 

Holmes is one of the fastest wide receivers in the league and should cash in big time as he'll field a large amount of interest once free agency begins.

If the Patriots want to bring in a solid, well-rounded wide receiver then Holmes fits that need perfectly. 

4. Nnamdi Asomugha

New England may have their No. 1 cornerback in Devin McCourty, but Nnamdi Asomugha would simply turn the Patriots secondary into one of the league's best.

Asomugha is arguably the second-best cornerback in the NFL, only behind Darrelle Revis, and can shut down every single wide receiver in the NFL—that's how good he is. 

If the Patriots want to bring in a Ty Law-type of cornerback, then Asomugha is that guy. He's a playmaker that will be a shutdown cornerback for at least the next five years—he's certainly worth the price, in my opinion. 

3. Cullen Jenkins

Cullen Jenkins is a 30-year-old defensive end that is ideal for a 3-4 defensive alignment.

Jenkins has recently played in Dom Capers' 3-4 defensive front in Green Bay, which is rather similar to New England's considering that Capers had spent sometime with the Patriots prior to joining the Packers coaching staff in 2009.

The 305-pounder tallied up seven sacks for the Packers last season while only playing in 11 games. Health is definitely a concern with Jenkins, but if healthy, he will bolster New England's pass rush. 

2. Matt Roth

Outside linebacker Matt Roth seems like the kind of guy that Bill Belichick would want on his roster. 

The biggest upside with Roth is familiarity, as he recently lined up in Eric Mangini's 3-4 defense last season as a member of the Cleveland Browns. 

Roth will be turning 29 in October and still has plenty of years ahead of him—he'd be a nice addition to New England's rather thin outside linebacker corps. 

In 2010, Roth played in all 16 games while only recording four sacks, which may not seem like a lot but could definitely be a situational pass rusher for the Patriots in 2011. 

1. Sidney Rice

The player that I would love to see most in a New England Patriots uniform is Sidney Rice.

I firmly believe that Rice the perfect wide receiver and would turn New England's already dominant offense into almost unstoppable; similar to the 2007 Patriots.

Rice has a great playmaking ability and is extremely physical, which is something that the Patriots lack in their wide receiver corps. Not only can Rice use his speed to beat defenders, but he can also force himself open by using his 6'4" 200 lbs. frame. 

If New England wants to make a huge splash in free agent, then Sidney Rice is the perfect player to target—he's exactly what New England's offense needs.