After missing the entire 2013 season with a torn ACL, veteran pass rusher Will Smith will visit the New England Patriots. Does the former Saints' star have anything left in the tank?

While offensive playmakers are scant in this year's free-agent crop, Chris Wesseling says defensive linemen like pass rusher Jared Allen and run stuffer Red Bryant are plentiful.

The Oakland Raiders have re-signed Andre Carter as the team continues pick up veterans on the cheap at the tail end of free agency. Ian Rapoport reported it's a one-year contract.

With Revis Island closed for business for the rest of 2012, the player who could benefit the most for IDP fantasy football owners stands a little further back in the New York Jets' secondary.

Rookies Chandler Jones (shown) and Dont'a Hightower of the New England Patriots are bucking to take over playmaking roles once held by the likes of Willie McGinest and Tedy Bruschi.

With the NFL season right around the corner, some big names still remain on the free-agent market. Here's a look at how the prospects for Plaxico Burress and others shape up.

With football season nearing, Chad Reuter has his eyes on the stars of Saturday. Kicking off a 10-part series, here are the top defensive ends in college football, including LSU's Sam Montgomery.

Making back-to-back conference championship games is very difficult. Daniel Jeremiah ranks last season's participants -- the Patriots, Ravens, Giants and 49ers -- in order of most likely to return.

Andre Carter is coming off a season in which he earned a Pro Bowl nod and suffered a serious injury, and the veteran believes he's got plenty left in the tank.

A lot of teams make personnel mistakes. The Pats just seem better than most at overcoming them. Who else would do so well after wasting money on Chad Ochocinco and Albert Haynesworth?

The Patriots are cutting ties with defensive end Markell Carter just one year after they drafted the Central Arkansas product in the sixth round.

We tend to overblow the significance of early free-agent signings ... and overlook the value of late additions. Jason La Canfora identifies the best players left on the open market, including Ryan Grant.

The Pats infused their defense with young talent in the draft, but what about the other side of the ball? Can Stevan Ridley carry the rushing load? Elliot Harrison scouts remaining voids for AFC East teams.

The New England Patriots were so desperate to repair their defense that they moved up twice on Thursday. In the process, they added two key pass rushers.

Patriots have only 6 picks, but that could change

Capsules of 32 teams for NFL draft

Less than two weeks away from the 2012 NFL Draft, Charley Casserly expands his mock draft into the second round. And there's plenty of talent available in Round 2, including three gifted tailbacks.

Why is nobody making a case for the Giants to repeat? After taking stock of Big Blue (and the rest of the league), Elliot Harrison says the G-Men have what it takes to win a third Super Bowl in six years.

2012 NFL Free Agents List