We’re on to 2016… Patriots Roster and Key Free Agents

Steve Balestrieri

8 years ago at 9:17 am ET

Greg M. Cooper - USA TODAY Sports

The 2015 season is in the books, the Patriots came up short in their efforts to repeat as Super Bowl Champions and it is time to move on. As Bill Belichick would say…”we’re on to 2016.”

And, compared to other teams, the Patriots are a bit behind in terms of looking at impending free agents and free agency in general as they’ve had their eyes on the postseason. It is a familiar problem and one that that they’re used to dealing with.

The Patriots currently have 74 players on the roster, the 53-man unit that faced Denver in the AFC Championship and 21 players who are on IR. Of those 74, the team has 11 un-restricted free agents, four restricted free agents and three exclusive rights free agents, those players only the Patriots can make offers unless they decide to let them go to free agency.

We’ll break down the roster by position and list the free agents for the team. In the coming days and weeks, we’ll break down each free agent individually and make a case for them to stay or go as the team will have a lot of thinking to do.

Unlike last season there is no huge pending free agent contract pending with a player like Darrelle Revis. There will have to be decisions made in regards to contracts already on the books but overall the team is great shape to add some free agents in 2016 and with the salary cap. First up is the offense…