The New England Patriots have some difficult decisions to make this offseason as 18 of their players are set to become free agents.
Thirteen of those players -- including defensive stalwarts J.C. Jackson and Devin McCourty -- will hit the open market as unrestricted free agents unless they sign a contract extension before March 16. Four will be restricted free agents and one will become an exclusive rights free agent.
The Patriots also have the option to franchise tag a player before March 8. Jackson is considered a likely candidate for the $17.