2017 Free Agency:

Long led the Patriots with 29 combined QB sacks (4), hits (8) and pressures with 17 in 2016 and played in 65 percent of the snaps in the regular season.

In both Super Bowl LI and XLIX, Hightower made big plays at crunch time to allow the Patriots to escape with the victory.

He’s a good runner that can show power, a good receiver out of the backfield as well as a core STs player that plays on all four units in the kicking game.

Develin is a very good lead blocker in the running game, can carry the ball, is good in pass protection, and can line up as an H-back/tight end.

The Patriots landed the uber-athletic Mingo for a 5th round draft pick during the end of August in 2016. Mingo was a former 1st round draft pick #6 overall

The Patriots picked up a bargain with Floyd, who was a former first round pick. He has the size at 6’2, 220 that the other Patriots receivers don’t have.

The Patriots drafted Harmon in the 3rd Round, 91st overall in the 2013 Draft. His role has steadily evolved and he’s now a trusted member of the defense.

The Patriots signed Sheard to a 2-year, $11 million-dollar contract with $5 million guaranteed including a $4 million bonus before the 2015 season.

Many have the Patriots selecting either S Jabril Peppers or RB Christian McCaffrey with the 32nd pick in the NFL Draft. We’ll respectfully disagree

He’s a very good playmaker with six interceptions and 25 passes defensed in the last two seasons, along with a forced fumble and 131 tackles.

The Patriots and Butler will forever be linked by the one play in Super Bowl XLIX where he intercepted Russell Wilson at the goal line and sealed the win.

With so many free agents on the defensive side of the football, the Patriots find themselves with their work cut out for them this offseason.

The Patriots will enter the 2017 offseason with a ton of cap space ($61,248,593) but have 21 players hitting free agency.