Pats free-agent forecast: Defensive line

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This is the third in a series of position-by-position looks at the Patriots heading into free agency. Today's position: Defensive line.
Wbo's on the roster?Ron Brace, Brandon Deaderick, Kyle Love, Alex Silvestro, Vince Wilfork, Aaron Lavarias, Myron Pryor.Patriots need level?A solid 8.Position overview?The Patriots had a good defensive line group in 2011. With a few moves and some health luck, they'll be fine again in 2012. The defensive tackle group of Vince Wilfork, Kyle Love and Brandon Deaderick stands out. Love is underrated and Deaderick's got nice versatility. Wilfork is still brilliant but it's not a bad thought for the Pats to eyeball his successor, either. The Patriots' struck gold on the edge of their 4-3 in free agency last year with Mark Anderson and Andre Carter. Both are now free agents. The team also cycled through veteran DTs Gerard Warren, Albert Haynesworth and Shaun Ellis. Only Warren was reliable. Who's out there?John Abraham, Falcons: Abraham will be 34 this season and what he's got left in the tank would make him merely a rotation guy. Mark Anderson, Patriots: Has to be a priority re-signing for the Patriots. There is the Leigh Bodden Effect to be concerned about -- re-signing your own free agent to a bigger deal then getting disappointing performance -- but the 29-year-old Anderson had 10 regular season sacks and two more in the playoffs. Brodrick Bunkley, Broncos: Excellent against the run but has been a bit of a disappointment over his career. Adam Carriker, Redskins: One-time 13th overall pick revived his career in Washington. Still just 28, has 3-4, 4-3 versatility and is a very intriguing player. Andre Carter, Patriots: Was just outstanding until tearing his quad in December. Consummate pro and a priority re-signing even if he's entering his 12th season. Luis Castillo, Chargers: He'd have to come in on an incentive-charged deal. Gets hurt a lot but is a pro and could be lured as a veteran in search of a championship. Derrick Harvey, Broncos: A first-round pick in 2008 who was a bust in Jacksonville, was as big a bust in Denver. But he's long and fast, fast and long. Kendall Langford, Dolphins: Solid young run-plugger. Miami won't let him go, one supposes. Amobi Okoye, Bears: This kid's still only 24. Went belly-up in Houston and is finding himself with Chicago which wants to re-sign him. Mario Williams, Texans: Too expensive.Other names of note?Dave Ball, Raheem Brock, Red Bryant, Jonathan Fanene, Jeremy Mincey, Sione Pouha, Paul Soliai. Free agent forecast?Re-signing Carter and Anderson should be high priorities. Real interesting names out there like Carriker who could fill the Mike Wright role (high energy, pasty white guy). Making a run at either Carriker or Castillo couldn't hurt. Gerard Warren is always ready to roll, it seems, so the Pats could wait until July on him. The draft is well-stocked with these guys as well so New England probably won't go high-end at all.

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