2010 Starter Need: Medium
2010 Depth Need: Low
2009 Unit Grade: B-

Laurence Maroney
Signed Through: 2010 ($2.0m)
2009 Grade: C+

Sammy Morris
Signed Through: 2010 ($1.4m)
2009 Grade: C+

Fred Taylor
Signed Through: 2010 ($2.73m)
2009 Grade: B

Kevin Faulk
Signed Through: Unrestricted Free Agent
2009 Grade: A-

BenJarvus Green-Ellis
Signed Through: 2010 ($477k)
2009 Grade: C+

Other than Kevin Faulk, the 2009 season for the running back was full of ups and downs. Injuries derailed Taylor and Morris at times this years, while fumbling concerns knocked down Laurence Maroney just as he was hitting his stride.

The Patriots have an immediate need at 3rd-down back if Kevin Faulk is not re-signed. While Faulk has been quoted as wanting to play with the Patriots, it remains to be seen whether he will get that chance or fall under the same chopping block that caught Tedy Bruschi, Mike Vrabel, and Richard Seymour.

With no clear #1 back and three expiring contracts, one or more of the trio of Maroney, Morris, or Taylor could be on their way out if a free-agent or draft pick that the Patriots feel fit their system would become available.

2010 NFL Draft Potential Targets: CJ Spiller, Jonathan Dwyer, Ryan Matthews, Anthony Dixon, Jahvid Best, Joique Bell

2010 Starter Need: Low
2010 Depth Need: Medium
2009 Unit Grade: B+

Tom Brady
2009 Grade: B+
Signed Through: 2010 ($10.2m)

Brian Hoyer
2009 Grade: B+
Signed Through: 2011(406k, 491k)

Tom Brady performed well for the Patriots in 2009, but couldn’t live up to his 2007 standard. Probably preventing Brady from an A- grade was the lack of a true #3 threat a la Jabar Gaffney or Dante Stallworth. Joey Galloway and Sam Aiken just couldn’t cut it.

Brian Hoyer showed that he could be a quality backup in the league during some mop-up duty, also having the potential to develop into a starter in the next few years.

Only having two QB’s is a dangerous game to play, and the Patriots would be wise to look at a few free-agents or take another flier late in the draft. They should have at least three compensatory picks that can’t be traded that would be well-used on a developmental QB.

2010 NFL Draft Potential Targets: John Skelton (Fordham), Mike Kafka (Northwestern), Tim Hiller (Western Michigan), Bill Stull (Pitt)

2010 Starter Need: Medium/High
2010 Depth Need: Low
2009 Unit Grade: B-

Sebastian Vollmer
Signed Through: 2012 ($707k, 822k, 962k)
2009 Grade: A-

Logan Mankins
Signed Through: Restricted Free Agent
2009 Grade: B+

Matt Light
Signed Through: 2010 ($4.7m)
2009 Grade: B-

Dan Koppen
Signed Through: 2011 ($5.0m, 3.5m)
2009 Grade: B-

Stephen Neal
Signed Through: Unrestricted Free Agent
2009 Grade: B-

Nick Kaczur
Signed Through: 2012 ($3.6m 4.3m, 5.0m)
2009 Grade: C+

Mark Levoir
Signed Through: 2011 ($740k, 880k)
2009 Grade: C+

Dan Connolly
Signed Through:
2009 Grade: C

Rich Ohrnberger
Signed Through: 2012 ($515k, 600k,685k)
2009 Grade: I

Kendall Simmons
Signed Through: 2011 ($815k, 1.0m)
2009 Grade: I

Ryan Wendell
Signed Through: 2011 ($402k, 488k)
2009 Grade: I

George Bussey
Signed Through: 2011 ($480k, 565k)
2009 Grade: I

The Patriots offensive line, once a stalwart that protected that Tom Brady with savvy and strength, had its share of problems during the 2009 season. The Patriots were able to develop a top-10 run game, but had trouble converting in 3rd/4th and short situations. Granted, some of that was an issue with play-calling.

Pass-protection was shored up near the end of the season, but Brady didn’t have as long to find WR’s this year as he did in 2007. Injuries played a part in this, but the emergence of Sebastian Vollmer as a great LT prospect deadened the blow of losing Matt Light.

With Stephen Neal on the precipice of retirement, Logan Mankins a RFA or UFA depending on the CBA machinations, and Matt Light in the last year of retirement, this is the year to shore up the offensive line. Tom Brady will thank you later.

2010 NFL Draft Potential Targets: Bryan Bulaga, Mike Iupati, Vlad Ducasse, Mike Johnson, Jared Veldheer, Roger Saffold