A look at the dream offseason for the Patriots and why it isn't plausible.

DRAFT:

Draft Mark Barron at safety.

Trade the second pick in the first round for a first rounder next year along with a 3rd round pick for next year.

Trade the first pick in the second round for a fourth rounder and a second rounder next year.

Draft two good WR who can be developed (McNutt, etc)

Draft a DL and a TE and trade any other picks.

RESIGNINGS

Restructure Ocho's contract to save 1.5 million.

Sign Welker to a 4-year (22 m guaranteed) 34 million deal. (8.6 million a year).

Sign the rookies for a total of 4 million.

Sign Anderson, Love, Connolly, Slater, Branch, Waters, and other bit players back for another 6 million (not guaranteed).

Sign Mario Williams for 12 million a year. (This is less than what the Bears gave Peppers).

This adds up to 34.1 million in additional money.

With 26 million in cap space, and 4 million that could be borrowed, this is only possible if the Patriots decide to go for broke.

But here's another scenario:

Draft a DE, one WR, one DL, a TE, and a CB. (4 million)

Sign Anderson, Carter, and the rest for 6 million.

Sign Meachem for 2.3 million a year (2 year contract)

Restructure Ocho's contract (-1.5 million)

Sign Welker for 8.6 a year for four years.

Sign Michael Griffin for 2 million a year.

Total of 20.5 million which is entirely plausible. This is the most logical decision.

Thus, although Williams would be cool, in order to keep the band together, sign young talent, while plugging the safety and WR holes, resign Welker, and still meet the cap, Scenario 2 is the only way we can go.