2012 NFL Free Agents: 5 Players New England Patriots Must Target

NFL Free Agency is winding down, but that doesn’t mean that the New England Patriots are done working. 

There are still many free agents the Patriots have to consider. 

The NFL free agents have been pretty well picked over, but there are still a few players out there that can make an impact on the New England Patriots. 

Free Agency will shape the draft, so it is important to keep an eye out for the remaining free agents that could be signed by New England. 

Here are five the Pats must consider. 

RB Cedric Benson

Benson has gone over 1,000 yards in three straight seasons. He is a hard runner and will be able to pick up hard yards in a pass base offense. 

Cedric Benson is turning 30 next season, but he is a workhorse back. In addition, Benson will not get as many carries as usual with New England who enjoys airing it out. 

This will keep the older running back healthy when he is needed. 

The Patriots were a one-trick pony, and that flaw finally caught up to them. Brady looked lethargic in the last few games of the postseason, and the receivers fell apart. Brady-to-Welker was brilliant all season, but it hit a snag in the big time. That's when the running game is supposed to bail out a quarterback, but the ground game was nowhere to be found for New England. 

Benson lowers the amount of yards Brady needs to produce all game long. This will conserve the star quarterback, thus allowing him to play at a higher level for a longer period of time. But the addition of another playmaker takes the focus off Brady and confuses defenses. 

LB London Fletcher

The fatal flaw to New England was their defense. 

There is no other way around it. The defense routinely performed in the bottom half of the league every single week. 

Enter London Fletcher. 

Fletcher is still productive, though his age (37 years) is a big turn-off for many teams. Thankfully, his age is exactly what makes Fletcher valuable to the Patriots. 

He is a veteran that can infuse an order to the hode-podge of this defense. Fletcher can be a true leader on the defensive side of the ball—something New England desperately needs. 

I’m not saying that the former Redskin will solve all the defensive woes for the Red, White and Blue. But he will begin to ease them out. 

DT Amobi Okoye

Has anyone noticed a pattern to the last two free agent prospects? All of them were over the age of 30. The Bears former defensive tackle Amobi Okoye is only 24. 

If that doesn’t create excitement, then just keep reading. Okoye has five years of pro experience. He entered the league when he was 19 and has averaged 33 tackles per season. Okoye collected 27 tackles and four sacks last season. 

This prospect has huge amount of upside and the potential is there. With a few more additions, the Patriots defense could pull itself out of the cellar. Okoye is a lifeline for a dying defense. 

Plus, New England is interested. 

DE Luis Castillo

Another way to improve the Patriots defense is through Castillo. 

The Boston Herald reported: "The team hosted Chargers DE Luis Castillo for a free agent visit over the weekend, a source said. That’s a big one” 

Injuries derailed a promising carrer, but the veteran has some good years left in his tank and could help transform the Patriots front seven. 

He is versatile and tough. He can shift around the defensive front and provide both pass-rushing and run-stopping abilities. Castillo is just what the Patriots need for their defense, and he could be a veteran discount. 

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CB Lardarius Webb

The Patriots have to upgrade their secondary for next season. At times last season it was downright awful. 

Signing Lardarius Webb is a move the Patriots must consider but not jump into. 

Since Webb is a restricted free agent with first-round tender, New England would have to give the Ravens a first-round pick in addition to the large contract Webb will require. 

New England has two first-round draft picks, but young talent might be what's best for the Patriots. That being said, if Bill Belichick wants to win now, this move makes sense. 

Webb is elite and is capable of covering many different wide receivers. He is only 26 years old and is coming off a career year. 

Last season the Patriots were laughable in passing yards allowed per game.

The cost may be high, but Webb should be a no-brainer to at least consider.