What do the Patriots Need?

Mike Reiss of the Boston Globe breaks down all of the positions...

Quarterback:
Short-term need: Depth. With Tom Brady returning from his left knee injury, adding a fourth option to the depth chart -- either in the form of a veteran or a developmental prospect -- seems like a smart move as extra insurance.

Long-term need: Moderate. Brady is signed through 2010, O'Connell through 2011 and Gutierrez through 2009.

Running Back:
Short-term need: Lead blocker. The Patriots didn't run many two-back sets with a standard fullback in 2008 -- they're more of a one-back team -- but had Heath Evans in that role when needed (e.g. Denver game). The late-season emergence by Russ Hochstein in that role could lead them to not directly fill Evans' void.

Long-term need: Moderate-to-high. Kevin Faulk's contract expires after the 2009 season, so keeping an eye on a possible pass-catching type of back could be on the radar. Taylor, Morris, Maroney and Green-Ellis all have deals that expire after the 2010 season.

Wide Receiver:
Short-term need: Answers at No. 3. The Patriots' base offense is a three-receiver set, and Jabar Gaffney -- who was on the field for 66 percent of the snaps in 2008 -- has signed with Denver. So filling the void at the No. 3 receiver spot, with Joey Galloway and Greg Lewis top candidates, is the top question.

Long-term need: Moderate-to-high. Galloway is on a one-year deal. Moss is signed through the 2010 season, while Welker and Lewis are inked through 2011.

Tight End:
Short-term need: Minor. The free-agent signing of Chris Baker should make the Patriots stronger at the line of scrimmage, and deeper than they were last season.

Long-term need: Moderate-to-high. Watson and Thomas enter the final year of their contracts. Baker's deal includes an option bonus after 2010 that essentially makes it a two-year deal.

Offensive Tackle:
Short-term need: Minor. Every offensive tackle on the roster from last season returns.

Long-term need: Moderate-to-high. Kaczur, the starting right tackle, has a deal that expires after the 2009 season. Light is signed through 2010. While LeVoir, Britt and O'Callaghan have been utilized in short stretches, and have proven to be effective, questions remain if they would be long-term answers.

Offensive Guard:
Short-term need: Minor. Every offensive guard on the roster from last season returns, with the addition of veteran C/G Al Johnson.

Long-term need: High. Both Mankins and Neal, the starters, enter the final year of their contracts. While Hochstein and Yates have filled in when called upon, they aren't considered long-term answers.

Centers:
Short-term need: Minor. The Patriots return the same personnel from 2008, with the addition of Johnson (1 year deal, $950,000) in free agency.

Long-term need: Minor. Koppen, the starter, is signed through 2011.

Nose Tackles:
Short-term need: Minor. Wilfork has become a top-flight player in the Patriots' base 3-4 scheme and seldom comes off the field on early downs. Wright is a prototype short-term fill-in.

Long-term need: High. Wilfork enters the final year of his contract, so if the team re-signs him, the long-term need is negated. Wright is a hard working backup who doesn't project as a full-time starter at nose. Adams spent last year on the practice squad.

Defensive Ends:
Short-term need: Minor. The top of the depth chart returns from 2008.

Long-term need: High. Seymour, Green and Smith are entering the final year of their contracts.

Outside Linebacker:
Short-term need: Moderate to high. The Patriots traded Mike Vrabel, creating a void at one of the starting outside linebacker spots. It's possible the replacement is on the roster -- either in the form of one player or a combination of players -- but it remains an unknown.

Long-term need: Moderate to high. It is difficult to project without seeing the year 1-to-2 progressions from Shawn Crable (2008 third-round pick) and Vince Redd (2008 rookie free agent). Woods will be on a one-year deal once signing his restricted free agent tender and Banta-Cain is also on a one-year deal.

Inside Linebacker:
Short-term need: Moderate. The Patriots return their top three players from 2008. Mayo hardly came off the field, while Bruschi (early downs) and Guyton (third down) split time.

Long-term need: Moderate to high. Bruschi enters the final year of his contract, so grooming a future replacement is likely on the radar.

Cornerback:
Short-term need: Moderate. Hobbs returns after starting last season and free-agent signees Leigh Bodden and Shawn Springs -- as well as 2008 draft choices Terrence Wheatley (second round) and Jonathan Wilhite (fourth round) -- figure to challenge for starting cornerback spots as well.

Long-term need: Moderate to high. Hobbs and Bodden have contracts that expire after the 2009 season, and if they're not back, it creates more openings at the position.

Safety:
Short-term need: Moderate to high. Meriweather and Sanders, who started as a tandem throughout the second half of last season, return in 2009. The Patriots entered last season with Rodney Harrison, Meriweather and Sanders at the top of the depth chart, so they aren't as deep at this point. Springs would probably be the third option, but he's more of a cornerback.

Long-term need: Moderate to high. Sanders and Meriweather are signed through 2011. Springs is also signed for three seasons.

Specialist:
Short-term need: Moderate. Gostkowski is coming off a Pro Bowl appearance and Hodel was signed to fill the void as snapper when Lonie Paxton signed with the Broncos. The competition to watch is at punter.

Long-term need: High. Each specialist enters the final year of his contract.