With that in mind, let’s run down the roster the Patriots ended their run to the Super Bowl with and see who is under contract for the coming season, and who may be elsewhere:
QUARTERBACKS Under contract: Tom Brady (deal ends in 2014), Ryan Mallett (2014)
Expiring contract: Brian Hoyer (restricted free agent)
It will be interesting to see what happens with Hoyer. As he is a restricted free agent, the Patriots can tender him at one of several levels to keep him. But quarterback-needy clubs would be smart to take a long look at the former undrafted player out of Michigan State: He has made tremendous progress in his three years with New England in terms of mobility and accuracy, and the team feels he is starting material. Mallett, who was inactive during the season, also showed good development as his rookie year went on.
RUNNING BACKS Under contract: Danny Woodhead (deal ends in 2012), Lousaka Polite (2012), Stevan Ridley (2014), Shane Vereen (2014)
Expiring contracts: BenJarvus Green-Ellis, Kevin Faulk
After an underwhelming regular season, Woodhead was nearly a hero in the Super Bowl. Ridley’s fumbles in the regular-season finale and the playoff game against Denver meant he never saw the field again the rest of the postseason, and fellow rookie Vereen’s first season was lost to injury. Faulk has almost certainly played his last game, and deserves kudos for returning from a torn ACL at 35 years old. The wild card here is Green-Ellis; he isn’t often flashy, but he is dependable and a good locker room guy, and could step into the leadership void that will open if Faulk departs.
WIDE RECEIVERS Under contract: Chad Ochocinco (deal ends in 2013), Julian Edelman (2012), Tiquan Underwood (2012)
Expiring contracts: Wes Welker, Deion Branch, Matthew Slater
