I like this thread and congratulate DI on starting it. However, it seems that we have moved to our list of needs, which is pretty useless since each of us has a different starting point.
For example, some start with Revis, McCourty and Amendola on the team. After all, Revis and Amendola are on the team, and McCourty can be franchised. Others understand that the team is not paying Revis $20M, so he is in essence a player who we must sign in order to keep. Wilfork may considered part of the team or not. Since almost no one thinks that he is being paid $8.5M, he too could be considered not part of the team unless he signs a new contract. The same goes for Amendola.
So, I guess my list of needs is below, and will be very different in two weeks.
CB - could be a new contract for Revis
S - could be McCourty
OG - could be Connolly and 2-3 draftees
DT - could be Wilfork (or a free agent or Branch) and a draftee
WR - could be Amendola
RB2 - could be Vereen
RB1 - many are fine with Blount, Ridley could fill this need
K - could be Gostkowski
LB - could be Ayers and/or Casillas
LS - could be Aiken (I couldn't resist adding this "starter")
Almost every one of these "needs" could disappear before free agency starts.
EXAMPLE
SOURCES
Sign Revis to a 5 year deal $15M (2015 cap savings)
Restructure Wilfork 3M
Restructure Mayo (no loss in pay) 4M
Restructure or cut Amendola 2M
Total $24M
COSTS
Overage $7M
McCourty 6M (first year net cap cost, could be less)
Gostkowski 4M (franchise cost)
Vereen 3M (net cost to add to the 51)
Connolly 2M
Casillas 1M
Ridley 1M
total $24M
LATER COSTS
There are other restructures that can be used for later costs. These include Browner, Gostkowski, Arrington and Brady.
NOTE
Obviously ALL the restructures will not happen. Obviously, all the players will not be signed. Ayers or Branch might be chosen instead of my choices. Savings or costs could be more.
BOTTOM LINE
The point is that talking about needs now is unreasonable unless we have a set of assumptions with regard to who is already here.
BTW, if we did all of the above, what would our list of needs be?
Mine might be OG, OG, DT, TE, LB
AN ASIDE
For those who didn't see my Revis contract proposal elsewhere. It is a 5/$70M ($35-40M guaranteed), with a $20M bonus, and a $1M first year salary, for a 2015 cap hit of $5M (plus $5M for the 2014 contract).