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What's Next For Patriots This Offseason?

BOSTON (CBS) -- We're all coming to grips with the fact the Patriots' 2015 season is over, without a trip to Santa Clara to defend last year's Super Bowl title.

After accepting that Peyton Manning will be suiting up against the Carolina Panthers in Super Bowl 50, we can move on and set our sights on the 2016 season. The next six months shouldn't be anything like last offseason, when headlines were dominated by a controversy over a few puffs of air and key players like Darrelle Revis, Vince Wilfork and Shane Vereen changing zip codes.

We should be in for a relatively quiet offseason, though there will be plenty of intrigue as the Patriots plan for not just next season, but the seasons beyond.

Free Agents

DT Akiem Hicks
RB LeGarrette Blount
RB Steven Jackson
ST Nate Ebner
C Ryan Wendell
G Cameron Fleming
RT LaAdrian Waddle
WR Brandon Gibson
CB Tarell Brown
CB Justin Coleman
FS Tavon Wilson
FS Brandon King

Unlike last season, the Patriots don't really have any big-name free agents to re-sign. It would be nice to see them bring back Hicks after he played such an important role along the defensive line, and is likely the one player that will get a nice paycheck this offseason.

LeGarrette Blount wasn't the impact guy he was at the end of last season, so we'll see if the Pats are in any rush to bring him back or try for a younger option in the draft or on the open market. Nate Ebner will likely be brought back, as he's carved out a nice role as an important player on special teams.

It'll also be interesting to see if the team tries to get Danny Amendola to reconstruct his deal.

Looking Ahead To 2017

Here's where things get interesting. The Patriots won't be breaking the bank this offseason because they don't have too many holes to fill, but because they have a number of key defensive players ready to hit free agency following next season.

Linebacker Dont'a Hightower and defensive end Chandler Jones have fifth-year options for the upcoming season, so they'll get a big pay bump in 2016. Then they hit the open market after next season, where their dollar amounts will increase even more.

Linebacker Jamie Collins is a free agent after the 2016 season, and if he has another beast of a year will also command a truckload of cash. Cornerback Malcolm Butler will be a restricted free agent following next season, so the Pats have a little leverage, but will have to give him more than the $510,000 average salary he's currently making.

Jabaal Sheard, Rob Ninkovich and Logan Ryan will also be free agents after the 2016 season. While there isn't much to worry about this offseason, after Super Bowl 51 is when the Patriots will have to make some tough choices on their roster.

NFL Draft

The Patriots don't have a first round pick this season, part of the punishment the NFL hit the team for the DeflateGate controversy (they were also docked a fourth-round pick in 2017), so their first pick will be the 60th overall selection. Here's what Bill Belichick and his staff will be working with when April 28 (well, April 29 and 30) come around.

- Second-round pick
- Third-round pick
- Fourth-round pick
- Seventh-round pick from Houston (Ryan Mallett trade)
- Seventh-round pick

The Pats should also receive some additional compensatory picks from the free agent departures of Darrelle Revis, Vince Wilfork, Shane Vereen and Akeem Ayers. Those picks will be determined after the 2015 season comes to an end.

At the moment, offensive line, cornerback and wide receiver are their big areas of need.

No Concerns About Belichick's Coordinators

It appears, for now, that Josh McDaniels and Matt Patricia won't be poached from Belichick's coaching staff, meaning they'll be back on the sidelines as the hooded one's coordinators.

The seven head coaching positions that were open following the regular season have all been filled, so unless the Cowboys, Lions or anyone else have a late change of heart, it doesn't look like either of Belichick's top two coordinators are going anywhere.

But he will be looking for a new offensive line coach after Dave DeGuglielmo was fired Monday.

More DeflateGate

No, it's not over yet.

The NFL's appeal of U.S. District Judge Richard Berman vacating Tom Brady's suspension will be heard by the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals on March 3 in New York. It's unlikely, but Brady's four-game ban could be reinstated, which would make the offseason much more interesting.

Get out your popcorn!

Listen: WBZ-TV's Levan Reid talks to WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Jeff Brown about Pats Offseason

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