**Mike Reiss** of ESPNBoston.com takes a look at the best free-agent fits at safety for the New England Patriots. Reiss calls the Patriots' level of need for a safety as "High," and projects top targets as Mike Adams of the Browns, James Ihedigbo, and LaRon Landry of the Redskins. He also notes that the draft class is thin at safety, and teams looking to upgrade at the position might need to be more aggressive than usual.
**Greg A. Bedard** of The Boston Globe notes that the Patriots currently are $16.2 million under the salary cap. Bedard discusses how the Patriots may look to free up more cap space, and that they still have decisions to make on 15 of their own free-agents, not including Wes Welker and Brian Hoyer.
**Ian R. Rapoport** of The Boston Herald gives us five possible non-Patriots targets for when free agency begins on Tuesday at 4 p.m: WR Brandon Lloyd, RB Michael Bush, WR Mike Wallace, OG Evan Mathis, and TE Daniel Fells. On Mike Wallace, Rapoport adds, "Though restricted, the 26-year-old burner may be worth giving up a first-round pick for."
Nick Underhill of MassLive.com questions how the Patriots' backfield will look if BenJarvus Green-Ellis leaves during free-agency. Underhill writes that Bill Belichick may be comfortable with putting Stevan Ridley and Shane Vereen alongside Danny Woodhead if they get outbid for Green-Ellis. He also highlights Michael Bush and Mike Tolbert as potential free-agent targets to fill Green-Ellis' role.
**Jeff Howe** of NESN.com writes that the Patriots should explore the possibility of trading for Dwight Freeney if he's willing to restructure his contract. The Colts are reportedly fielding offers for the 32-year-old defensive end, who is due to make $14 million in base salary in 2012. Howe notes that Freeney's trade value will hinge on his willingness to restructure his contract. He continues, "If they're going to stick with the 4-3 defense in 2012 and Freeney will restructure his deal, the Patriots should strongly consider acquiring him. Since they have a pair of picks in the second and third rounds, they'll have the assets to pull off such a maneuver."
