New England Patriots' Possibilities: 7 Players the Pats Will Show Interest In

The New England Patriots enter the 2011 off-season with holes to fill on their roster. 

Like other teams, some of the holes and needs might be considered minor and some are top priorities.

However, this off-season will be an interesting one. Current free agent players will likely not sign until later in the off-season due to the uncertainty of the CBA. The current CBA expires in March, and there have been talks or a potential work-stoppage.

Assuming if the NFL and players union do agree upon a new CBA, here is a list of seven players that the Patriots will likely show interest in to fill our their personal.

NOTE: This article was first seen at PatriotsPlus.net.

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Quarterback: Drew Stanton

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TAMPA, FL - DECEMBER 19: Quarterback Drew Stanton #5 of the Detroit Lions throws a pass against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the game at Raymond James Stadium on December 19, 2010 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by J. Meric/Getty Images)

The Patriots obviously aren't in need of a quarterback, however they only have two on their roster. 

It wouldn't be out of the oridinary if Bill Belichick does consider signing a quarterback to add some competion in training camp for the back-up job with Brian Hoyer. 

Detroit Lions quarterback Drew Stanton would a possible target for New England. 

Stanton who played in six games for the Lions last year and played fairly well. He finished the season with 78.4 passer rating while throwing four touchdowns and three interceptions, completing 58 percent of his passes. 

If New England does sign Stanton, or a quarterback, it might just be to put some pressure on Hoyer to fight for the back-up role. However, the Patriots might not enter the first week of the season with three quarterbacks, as they felt comfortable with only two quarterbacks throughout all of last year. 

Running Back: 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)

New Orleans Saints running back Pierre Thomas has been on New England's radar for about a year now. 

There were talks during last season in October, prior to the trading deadline, that they were going to send corner back Jonathan Wilhite in return for Thomas.

Thomas would be an interesting fit in New England's off-season, as he'd join Danny Woodhead and likely BenJarvus Green-Ellis, if re-signed.

Last season was a lost one for Thomas, as he only played six games for New Orleans due to injuries. However, he did manage to catch 29 passes.

Thomas has proved to be a dual-threat pack, and would be a nice asset next to Tom Brady out of the shotgun.  

Receiver: James Jones

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GREEN BAY, WI - NOVEMBER 07: James Jones #89 of the Green Bay Packers throws the ball into the air after scoring a touchdown against the Dallas Cowboys at Lambeau Field on November 7, 2010 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

Green Bay Packers wide receiver had a break-out year last season, finishing with 50 receptions for 679 yards and five touchdowns. 

If Packers receiver Donald Driver retires, Green Bay will likely show major interest in bringing back Jones. However, I wouldn't be surprised in Belichick showed interest in the well-rounded receiver. 

Receiver isn't a top need for New England, having Wes Welker, Deion Branch, Rob Gronkowski, and Aaron Hernandez on their roster. But, the Patriots are lacking a big-play receiver that can force his way open by using his body, and last year, Brandon Tate did not get the job done.

Jones would be a nice upgrade to Tate, and it would allow Tate to be strictly a special teams player. 

Offensive Linemen: Logan Mankins

If New England does sign any free agent offensive linemen, it will either be Matt Light or Logan Mankins.

The Patriots must do whatever it takes to keep Mankins, after a superb season only playing half the year and still made the AFC Pro Bowl roster. 

With the contract disput last season leading to a contract hold-out, the relationship between Mankins and New England is uncertain. 

As the franchise tag period opened Thursday Feb. 10, the Patriots will likely tag their left guard. 

Defensive Linemen: Cullen Jenkins

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CHICAGO, IL - JANUARY 23: Cullen Jenkins #77 of the Green Bay Packers reacts after a sack of quarterback Jay Cutler #6 of the Chicago Bears in the first half in the NFC Championship Game at Soldier Field on January 23, 2011 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo

The New England Patriots really need to add a dominant pass rusher to their defensive, as they didn't have one last season.

During their dynasty years, New England had pass rushers like Willie McGinest, Mike Vrabel, and Richard Seymour. Now, they don't have any defenders to disrupt the pass besides Vince Wilfork.

Green Bay Packers defensive end Cullen Jenkins would be a perfect fit for New England. The Packers run the 3-4, like the Patriots, and their schemes are similar as Green Bay's defensive coordinator was New England's for 2008. 

Jenkins played in 11 games last year for the Packers and recorded seven sacks and was a major force in the team's success on defense. 

Linebacker: Tamba Hali

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KANSAS CITY, MO - SEPTEMBER 26: Tamba Hali #91 of the Kansas City Chiefs sacks Alex Smith #11 of the San Francisco 49ers at Arrowhead Stadium on September 26, 2010 in Kansas City, Missouri. The Chiefs won 31-10. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)

Kansas City Chiefs outside linebacker Tamba Hali is coming off of a career year with former Patriots defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel. 

Hali recorded a team high 15 sacks last year with 52 tackles with the Chiefs.

The Chiefs, like New England, run a 3-4 defense and have very similar schemes, so the translation should be easy for Hali if he does join New England. 

Defensive Back: Kyle Arrington

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FOXBORO, MA - DECEMBER 19: Cornerback Kyle Arrington #27 of the New England Patriots celebrates scoring a touchdown after intercepting the ball and running 36 yards against the Green Bay Packers during the third quarter of the game at Gillette Stadium on

Out of the defensive backs in the free agent market, the only player I can see Belichick signing is current corner back Kyle Arrington. 

Arrington started as the team's second corner back for New England last year. He finished with one interception and five pass deflections. 

With corner back Leigh Bodden coming off of injured reserved, he will likely replace Bodden as the team's second corner, however Arrington would fit nicely as a package player.