New England Patriots: Who Are the Biggest Priorities in 2012 Free Agency?

Fans of the New England Patriots may still be wallowing in the Super Bowl XLVI loss to the New York Giants, but there isn't a whole lot of time for that if you're the Patriots. They have several key decisions to make in the 2012 NFL offseason. As always, there are certain players who are more of a priority than others.

First things first. With help from Brian McIntyre of Mac's Football Blog, we get a look at the Patriots free agency class of 2012.

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Exclusive Rights Free Agents (1)

DT Kyle Love

Restricted Free Agents (2)

QB Brian Hoyer
S Bret Lockett

Unrestricted Free Agents (17)

RB Kevin Faulk
RB BenJarvus Green-Ellis
WR Deion Branch
WR Matt Slater
WR Wes Welker
OL Dan Connolly
OC Dan Koppen
DE Mark Anderson
DE Andre Carter
DE Shaun Ellis
DT Gerard Warren
LB Gary Guyton
LB Niko Koutouvides
LB Tracy White
CB Nathan Jones
CB Antwaun Molden
S James Ihedigbo

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So what does it all mean?

Wes Welker, The Top Priority

Whether it was a drop or a bad pass, one play in the Super Bowl shouldn't make or break Welker's future with the team. Yes—even if he made the catch.

For all the talk of whether he's worth the same money as a dynamic playmaker like Larry Fitzgerald, he's been the only constant in the Patriots offense since 2007, which has evolved from a spread attack with deep passes to a small ball offense with the tight ends that utilizes the middle of the field.

Since '07, Welker has accounted for 29.7 percent of the team's total receptions, 27.2 percent of the team's total receiving yards and 17.7 percent of the team's receiving touchdowns. 

So much of the offense's success between the 20s has been predicated on Welker's ability to get open in the middle of the field and his fearlessness to make those tough catches over the middle and take the hard hits that result. 

Welker's value goes far beyond that. We heard Brady talk at times about how important it is that a quarterback and his receiver get on the same page quickly. With Brady, it's been hit-or-miss when it comes to bringing in new receiving talent to get on the same page with him. Why give up on a sure thing? If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

Center In Focus

Whether veteran center Dan Koppen comes back for another go-around with the Patriots remains to be seen. After breaking his ankle in the season opener against the Dolphins, he would need an extensive amount of rehab to get back. At the age of 32, who knows whether he even wants to go through it all.

Dan Connolly played well for the most part, giving up just one sack, eight hits and 15 pressures on the season according to Pro Football Focus, but Connolly is also set to become a free agent. 

With over $20 million in cap space to work with for the 2012 offseason, the Patriots will likely bring both back for training camp.

A rush for pass rushers

Years of pass rushing woes were fixed with two seemingly innocuous free agent signings in Mark Anderson and Andre Carter in the 2011 offseason. The Patriots were able to acquire both on the cheap, and the return on investment was quick as both totaled 10 sacks.

In fact, 2011 marked the first year since 1985 that two Patriots have logged double-digit sacks. The last duo to do so was Andre Tippett and Garin Veris. In fact, the two accounted for exactly half of New England's total sacks on the season (20 out of 40). When Carter went down with a season-ending knee injury, the Patriots lost 25 percent of their sack production.

With both of their one-year deals up, they now have two big decisions to make. The decisions will not come down to only how well the two performed, but also to whether the Patriots plan on running a 3-4 or a 4-3 next season. They made a switch to the 4-3 system last offseason, as a result of the shortened offseason and fewer opportunities to teach and coach the philosophies of Belichick's complex defense.

Will Belichick return to the read-and-react 3-4 full time in 2012? Aside from money (and in Carter's case, health), the ultimate decision of defensive scheme could have an impact on the ultimate decision to keep Anderson, Carter, both or neither.

The Law Firm Has Made a Strong Case

The Patriots love to run their running back by committee, refusing to get too caught up in any one back getting a majority of the carries. BenJarvus Green-Ellis had another solid season, even if it was unspectacular. He averaged 3.7 yards per carry and had a long carry of just 18 yards.

But for a team that preaches situational football above all else, the Law Firm has won that debate time and time again. He continues to be a reliable goal line back, having tallied 25 rushing touchdowns in the past two regular and postseasons combined.

And yep—in his four-year career, he has still yet to fumble.

The Patriots did a great deal to bolster their backfield in the 2011 draft, taking both Shane Vereen and Stevan Ridley in the second and third rounds respectively, but neither was even on the active roster for the Super Bowl. Re-signing Green-Ellis needs to be a priority for the 2012 offseason, simply because the Patriots have yet to find a suitable answer outside of him in the backfield.

Make Your Case

These players have all made their case; now it's time to make yours. Who are the most important free agents in your opinion? How should the Patriots approach their decisions?

Cast your vote and make your voice heard in the comments section below.

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