New England Patriots: 5 Who Must Be Replaced This Offseason

The New England Patriots were oh so close to their fourth Super Bowl Sunday night. It was a disappointing end to a season that had many expecting the Patriots to hoist the Lombardi Trophy once it was all said and done.

With that said, the jobs that the likes of Bill Belichick, Tom Brady, Rob Gronkowski and Wes Welker did were nothing short of amazing. 

In reality, this wasn't the most complete team in the AFC. They lacked the huge down-field threat in the passing game and had major struggles in the defensive secondary. Still, they came a Hail Mary away from winning the Super Bowl.

This article is going to focus on five players that the New England Patriots should say good-bye to following this disappointing loss.

5. Ron Brace, DL

An utter failure in every possible way, this former second-round pick has started only seven games in his career and has only managed 35 tackles in three seasons with the New England Patriots.

The Patriots selected him to be the heir-apparent to Vince Wilfork along the interior of their defensive line, but it hasn't panned out.

Ron Brace is set to make $1.4 million in 2012, which isn't the primary problem.

Rather, we all know that Bill Belichick and company don't keep dead weight on their roster. By all possible definitions of the term, Brace is "dead weight."

4. Dan Koppen, C

More to do with injury concerns and roster logistics than performance, Dan Koppen will probably find himself the odd man out along the New England Patriots' offensive line.

He was placed on injury reserve in September after starting just one game. The ninth-year player from Boston College is also set to become a free agent in March. It goes without saying that New England will not retain his services.

Dan Connolly did perform decently in his stead. Either way, the Patriots will be looking to add some bulk along the interior of the line. The good news is that there are a wide array of talented centers in the draft if that is the direction New England decides to go.

3. Deion Branch, WR

Deion Branch has been a reliable target for Tom Brady over the course of his New England career. He also caught three passes for 45 yards in the Super Bowl.

However, the production just wasn't there on a consistent basis. Branch dropped an important pass in the fourth quarter and only caught half the passes intended for him.

One game isn't going to spell an end to Branch's career in New England; rather, it is about them getting younger at the position and spending their money to upgrade other positions in free agency. 

The 10-year vet is on the wrong side of 30 and has obviously lost a step. You can fully expect New England to draft a young receiver and maybe go after a free agent that is closer to his prime than Branch is. If this is the case, No. 84 will be looking for a new home this off-season.

2. Chad Ochocinco, WR

Probably a sure bet to get released as soon as the new league year begins in March, Chad Ochocinco provided absolutely nothing to the Pats in 2011. He was lost in the offense, spent the majority of the time on the sidelines, and disappeared in the playoffs.

I am not sure how much, if anything, the 34-year-old receiver has left in the tank. He looked remarkably slow on his routes, couldn't break free at the line, and seemed completely out of sync with Tom Brady and Co.

No. 85 is also set to earn $13 million over the course of the next two seasons—prime indicators that his days with this elite franchise are numbered.

1. BenJarvus Green-Ellis, RB

This has less to do with BenJarvus Green-Ellis the player, and more to do with what the New England Patriots plan to do at running back moving forward. They spent two relatively high 2011 draft picks on running backs (Stevan Ridley and Shane Vereen), and I'm pretty sure they expect to give those two more touches in 2012.

Additionally, Green-Ellis is set to become a free agent. This means that there are going to be a number of teams bidding for his services, which could drive up his asking price. I am under the belief that Green-Ellis is more a product of the Patriots system than he is an every-down NFL back.

If this price tag jumps upwards to $5 or 6 million, you can expect New England to let him walk. My personal belief is that Tom Brady could use that every-down back moving forward. And I don't think Green-Ellis is going to be that guy.

There is a nice group of free-agent options that New England could take a look at for an upgrade. Michael Bush of the Oakland Raiders seems to make the most sense to me.

We shall see.