New England Patriots: 5 Offensive Free Agent Targets in 2011 NFL Offseason

From the Green Bay Packers and Pittsburgh Steelers maximizing their drafted talent all the way to Super Bowl XLV, we all know that free agency isn't the best way to attack a need.

But sometimes a key free agent addition here and there can serve as a perfect stop-gap in bringing along those players.

We all know that the Patriots' biggest offseason free agent target—in terms of both size and importance—must be Logan Mankins. But let's take a look at some external candidates that the Patriots should look at bringing on board for the 2011 season.

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Pierre Thomas

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ATLANTA, GA - DECEMBER 27: Pierre Thomas #23 of the New Orleans Saints runs upfield against the Atlanta Falcons in the second half during their game at the Georgia Dome on December 27, 2010 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

The talk of the past couple of days has been the trades that could have been for the Patriots in the 2010 season, one of which was a trade that involved sending a defensive back to New Orleans for Pierre Thomas.

The trade fell through when the Patriots asked for the Saints to include a draft pick in the trade.

Now that adding Pierre Thomas comes without the cost of a defensive back, the addition of the veteran running back seems a very real possibility. Despite an ineffective injury-plagued 2010 season, he served as a very effective battering ram for the Saints rush attack in 2009.

Adding Thomas to the two-headed backfield of Danny Woodhead and BenJarvus Green-Ellis would give the Patriots a viable third option at running back to spell the two backs and also to step in should one of the two starters go down with injury.

Ronnie Brown

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MIAMI - DECEMBER 19: Running back Ronnie Brown #23 of the Miami Dolphins is upended by the Buffalo Bills at Sun Life Stadium on December 19, 2010 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Marc Serota/Getty Images)

Really? The Patriots, picking up the scraps of an AFC East division rival?

No way... we'll ignore the fact that the Patriots have done this so frequently before in the form of Sammy Morris, Wes Welker and others.

My friend Mike Dussault and I talked about this in our recent podcast (which you can check out here), and we agree that the allure of playing for a championship team and a "professional football franchise" like the Patriots would be enough for even a bitter rival to squash the beef.

Still, it's hard to ignore the long injury history of Brown, who has only started all 16 games once in his career. Fortunately for Brown, that full season came last year, but was marred by ineffective play to the tune of 3.7 yards per carry and just five touchdowns on 200 carries.

What makes him an intriguing addition is his versatility as a pass-catcher out of the backfield, having reeled in 30 or more receptions in every year except 2009, in which he missed almost half of the season.

As for his Wildcat abilities? Don't worry, no need to take Tom Brady out from behind center for any reason.

Malcom Floyd

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DENVER, CO - JANUARY 2: Wide receiver Malcom Floyd #80 of the San Diego Chargers makes a one-handed 41-yard reception for a first down against cornerback Perrish Cox #32 of the Denver Broncos during the second quarter at INVESCO Field at Mile High on Jan

In the midst of the bevy of injuries that crippled the Chargers receiving corps in 2010, Malcom Floyd emerged as a legitimate target for Philip Rivers. He was tasked with stepping up while Vincent Jackson held out for a new contract.

Floyd answered the bell to the tune of 37 receptions for 717 yards, a whopping 19.4 yards per reception and six touchdowns. Both of those last figures were career-highs. His speed, large frame and physical style of play allowed him to get open on all kinds of routes for the Chargers' vertical style of offense.

After his stellar 2010 campaign, Floyd could command substantial numbers on the open market. The Patriots should bring him on only if they feel the need for a big, physical receiver is crucial and can't be left to the uncertainty of developing talent in the draft.

Donte Stallworth

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KANSAS CITY, MO - JANUARY 09: Wide receiver Donte' Stallworth #18 of the Baltimore Ravens runs with the ball on a reverse against the Kansas City Chiefs during their 2011 AFC wild card playoff game at Arrowhead Stadium on January 9, 2011 in Kansas City,

After spending one season with the Patriots in 2007, Stallworth moved on to Cleveland and has had a very down career since then. He missed the entire 2009 season for violating the league's personal conduct policy after pleading guilty to DUI vehicular manslaughter.

Last year, with the Ravens, he had more rush attempts (5) than receptions (2) and totaled a paltry 127 yards between the two, fumbling once.

Now that Stallworth has reportedly stated that he's "100 percent" open to returning to the Patriots (via NESN.com), is a return to New England a possibility?

Brady and Stallworth seemed like they weren't on the same page at times, but Brady has done some of his best work with veteran receivers.

However, after such a dramatic dip in production over the past few years and with young receivers in Brandon Tate and Taylor Price waiting in the wings, Stallworth's addition wouldn't be out of necessity as much as insurance.

Brad Smith

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PITTSBURGH, PA - JANUARY 23: Brad Smith #16 of the New York Jets runs with the ball against William Gay #22 of the Pittsburgh Steelers during the 2011 AFC Championship game at Heinz Field on January 23, 2011 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The Steelers won

There isn't a more explosive receiver available through free agency than Brad Smith. On offense and special teams, Smith has made any who've tried to catch him look silly.

He's got a lot of things the Patriots lack in their receiving corps right now—size and speed to name just a couple—but he's also got the one mark of a true Patriot: versatility. He can line up as a kick returner, quarterback, wide receiver and elsewhere.

With so much talent and athleticism in one big package, Bill Belichick could certainly find a use for Smith. Oh, did I mention his love of picking up AFC East scraps?