We are in a rebuild. I don't really want too many old guys coming back. Zero interest in Clayborn and Van Noy and minimal interest in Butler and Sanders. We need to get younger and signing progress blockers isn't the way.
The Patriots are going to be spending some real money on offense in free agency at QB, WR and OL. The defense needs only a couple of players to elevate it from a very good unit to an elite unit.
My guess is they bring back their own DL free agents - Lawrence Guy (31), Dietrich Wise (27) and maybe Adam Butler (27) who will be the most costly. I think they'll draft one DL with one of the top 4 picks, maybe even #1 if the right nose tackle is on the board. Otherwise the defense is loaded with young guys on good deals. Adding Hightower and Van Noy (at the right price) restores the LB group to elite level, Butler, at 31, will be affordable and a plug and play. The secondary is set unless they trade Gilmore for a QB. As
@robertweathers says above, Clayborn was/is a good rotational veteran. If what Mayo and Belichick the younger continue with an "amoeba" defense, there's always room for veterans who can fill gaps or come off the edge.