There was a point last training camp when the Patriots had more than 20 defensive linemen on the roster, and the sheer number was an obvious sign that head coach Bill Belichick wanted starting-level talent throughout the depth chart. With that, he knew the Patriots could avoid an injury epidemic that throttled their line in 2010.
While things didn't work out with Albert Haynesworth, the Patriots really hit on Andre Carter and Mark Anderson, who each recorded double-digit sacks. Vince Wilfork had another monster year, and both Kyle Love and Brandon Deaderick surpassed expectations, all of which helped New England's defensive front have a strong season.
Now, the Patriots have to work to keep the group together. Carter, Anderson, Gerard Warren and Shaun Ellis are free agents, and Love is an exclusive rights free agent, which essentially means he's under New England's control. With their own free agents, as well as the rest of the crop on the open market, the Patriots will have plenty of options.
Head of the Class
1. Mario Williams: He'll likely command the greatest contract, in terms of total dollars, on the market this offseason, save for maybe quarterback Drew Brees. Williams won't be franchised by the Texans due to a tag that would cost them about $22 million, so the entire league should be after the true defensive end who can also play outside linebacker in the 3-4. Williams has 53 sacks in his six-year career, though his last two seasons were derailed by injuries, and he's a complete edge player.
2. Calais Campbell: A pure monstrosity at 6-foot-8 and 300 pounds, Campbell will almost certainly be franchised by the Cardinals. He's a terrific 3-4 defensive end who is going to get a big-time contract sooner or later.
3. Cliff Avril: With 19.5 sacks over the last two seasons, the defensive end will get a nice contract in free agency, but it shouldn't come without warning. He really broke out with an 11-sack season during his contract year, and his success has come with Ndamukong Suh as his teammate and Jim Schwartz as his head coach. Suh commands the brunt of the offense's attention, and Schwartz is a terrific defensive line coach. Avril should still do well if he's put in the right situation, but it might be a mistake to pay him as a player who could be the cornerstone of a line.
Diamond in the Rough
Michael Bennett has continued to blossom in three seasons with the Buccaneers, and he has played inside and outside on a four-man line. Bennett is a well-rounded player who had a career-high four sacks in 2011, but his growth in each of his three seasons since going undrafted in 2009 is the intriguing thing. However, he's a restricted free agent, and the Bucs would be foolish to let the 26-year-old get away.
Fit for New England
The Patriots have found a good thing with Carter, Anderson and Warren, so they should aim to retain all three. However, with Carter's late-season injury, Anderson's likely ability to get a bigger contract and Warren's potential for retirement, it's a far cry to assume all will be back.
Belichick has shown in the last two seasons that he prefers to go the veteran route on the defensive line, and there's another crop available this offseason. Defensive ends Robert Mathis and John Abraham are the two who stick out the most and would appear to be good replacements if Carter or Anderson don't return.
Don't Forget
1. Due to defensive end Dwight Freeney's $14 million base salary in 2012, it wouldn't be surprising if the Colts unloaded him in their rebuild.
2. Defensive end Matt Roth is a free agent once again. Remember the stir he created last season in New England?
3. The Patriots worked out defensive end Raheem Brock last year, but he stayed in Seattle, where he registered three sacks.
4. Defensive end Jeremy Mincey, a Patriots sixth-rounder in 2006, has developed very slowly, but he had eight sacks with the Jaguars in 2011.
5. Defensive end Israel Idonije is a pretty good option if he's across from a good pass rusher. He racked up 13 sacks in the two seasons since the Bears signed Julius Peppers.
6. It will be very interesting to find out whether or not Haynesworth will get another shot somewhere.
7. Adam Carriker, who is an interior player, hasn't lived up to his pre-draft hype, but maybe there's a coach out there who can figure out the best way to utilize him now that he's on the free market.
8. Defensive tackle Paul Soliai was even surprised when the Dolphins franchised him last year, so after making $12.3 million in 2011, his salary going forward will be intriguing. It won't be anywhere near that number, and Soliai surely knows it.
9. Defensive end/outside linebacker Anthony Spencer has always been a very good player, but how much of it has to do with playing across from DeMarcus Ware?
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