New England hasn't had a true featured running back since Curtis Martin. Yes, they'd acquired Corey Dillon but he soon regressed like Antowain Smith. Neither was as impressive as they were in their first season as a Patriot. Then too, they both were highly motivated to prove their former teams wrong.
I don't believe you can let Faulk walk. If he has something left in the tank, resign him to a reasonable contract. He like Troy Brown should retire as Patriots.
Taylor is a nice veteran to have if only he could remain healthy. Ditto of Morris. However, I don't feel as strongly for keeping either of them as I'm for keeping Faulk.
Here's where the conversation will getting interesting. What are the immediate futures of Maroney and Green-Ellis? I think Maroney is a complementary running back at best. That is to say, I liked the role he'd with Dillon: He was that change of pace running back to whoever is your starter. Moreover, Maroney isn't a true featured running back. His talent can tempt you... But he has done little in his career in my opinion to prove that he has staying power in a starting role. He's inconsistent and indecisive at times. Yes, injuries have derailed much of his games. Still, when he does play, his inefficiencies are his fault more so than any problems you may have with the offensive line play. Because Morris and Faulk seem to produce behind this same offensive line.
Ideally, you don't want him in that role, a starter. You would prefer to have a regular (durable) starter. Hopefully, that starter will come out of next year's draft.
It amazes me who was selected after Maroney from the 2006 draft. Of these, Maroney is the only one who's yet to reach a thousand yards in his career at least once, and White was eventually upended by a better running back in Chris Johnson. That's what I'll like to happen for New England. They draft an eventual stud out of the 2010 draft at the position.
Round 1
DeAngelo Williams
Joseph Addai
Round 2
LenDale White
Maurice Jones-Drew