Matt Roth (AP)

Despite the labor uncertainty, over the course of the offseason, WEEI.com will present a list of 10 possible fits for the Patriots in free agency under the old Collective Bargaining Agreement.

Matt Roth
Position: OLB/DE
Age: 28
Height: 6-foot-4
Weight: 275

The Browns are moving to a 4-3 under new coach Dick Jauron, which means this veteran of the 3-4 will be looking to test the free agent market. Roth is not an overwhelming threat as a pass rusher — he’s posted 20 career sacks in seven seasons in the NFL, including a combined 7.5 the last two years in Cleveland — but is an excellent complimentary piece who could provide depth outside and provide support in the run game.

Since college, Roth has played almost exclusively for former Bill Belichick lieutenants: as a collegian, he was with Kirk Ferentz at Iowa. In the pros, he’s also had stints with in Nick Saban (Miami) and Eric Mangini (Cleveland), which would likely mean an easy transition into the New England system. He would be a relatively inexpensive sign. And he certainly fits the body type the Patriots require when it comes to finding someone who could set the edge in the run game and provide a spark to the pass rush.

Why it might not work: Roth is a bit of a wild card. He ran afoul of Bill Parcells in Miami — skipping “voluntary” spring practices with the Dolphins because he was unhappy with his contract — which eventually got him released. While he’s generally considered a good locker room presence, he is also known as something of a glib personality, which might not play well in Foxboro. Of course, if he comes to New England and provides a spark for the pass rush, that’s the sort of thing that can be excused.

Cullen Jenkins (AP)

Despite the labor uncertainty, WEEI.com will continue present a list of 10 possible fits for the Patriots in free agency (under the old Collective Bargaining Agreement) this offseason.

Cullen Jenkins

Position: Defensive end/defensive tackle
Age: 30
Height: 6-foot-2
Weight: 305

Like Matt Roth — another free-agent possibility for the Patriots who was discussed in this space yesterday — the little brother of defensive tackle Kris Jenkins is not a particularly overwhelming pass rusher, but is the sort of defender who is a veteran of the 3-4. He has 29 career sacks in seven seasons, including a career-best seven last season.

In addition, after seven years in Green Bay, the Central Michigan product is ready to move on — he told ESPNMilwaukee.com earlier this month that he would have taken a hometown discount to return to the Packers, but that ship has sailed, saying, “I know how they handle business, and the thought was if we could get something reasonable worked out, I knew I would take less than what I could’ve gotten in free agency. But they never approached me with anything and never got any type of negotiations going. It’s just how the business is. They had a lot of younger guys and felt they could move forward in that direction.”

Why it might not work: He’s been slowed by some nagging injuries the last few years — he missed five games last season with a bad hamstring and broken hand. In addition, he missed 12 games in 2008 with a torn pectoral muscle. (Of course, despite all of that, he had career-best numbers last year, so that might not matter a whole lot in the long run.) He is 30 years old, and going long-term for a player at that age might be something of a dicey situation. And if the old rules apply, Jenkins figures to be one of the pricier pickups in free agency. He had a career-best year this past season with the Super Bowl champs — his stock will never be higher than it is right now. Probably not an ideal time to invest.

Jason Babin (AP)

Despite the labor uncertainty, WEEI.com will present a list of 10 possible fits for the Patriots in free agency (under the old Collective Bargaining Agreement) this offseason.

Jason Babin
Position: Defensive end
Age: 30 (will turn 31 on May 24)
Height: 6-foot-3
Weight: 260

While the two previous possibilities we detailed in this space — Matt Roth andCullen Jenkins — weren’t particularly known as pure pass rushers, Babin will likely be the best pure pass rusher available when free agency begins this offseason. This Western Michigan journeyman — he’s played for five teams in six years — figures to cash in after a 2010 season with Tennessee where he collected 12.5 sacks, a career-best. (He went to his first Pro Bowl as a result.) For what it’s worth, he seems to have come to terms with the idea that the Titans aren’t going to re-sign him, telling reporters, “They told my agent they are letting me go to free agency and passing on the opportunity to sign me to a long-term deal.”

He’s an interesting prospect for New England to consider: Houston’s first-round pick from 2004 can clearly get after the passer — he is a speedy end with an extraordinarily high motor — but he’s not a power guy, and his greatest success has come in 4-3 schemes. And while he is one of the best in the league the last couple of seasons when it comes to sacks, in the past, he has had problems when it comes to setting the edge and providing run support.

But no matter what you think of him, it’s clear Babin has had an eventful offseason: He’s threatened to take his talents to the UFL or the CFL if no labor agreement is reached. In addition, he’s reportedly started mixed martial arts training, and has an eye toward participating in an MMA event sometime this offseason, according to the Tennessean. In March, he said he had a bear-hunting expedition planned for this spring. And this past week, he was named No. 85 on the NFL Network’s presentation of “The Top 100 Players of 2011.”

Why it might not work: As stated, Babin, who will be 31 before the start of the 2011 season, has enjoyed his greatest success in 4-3 defensive sets, and has struggled in 3-4 schemes. Barring a change of New England’s base 3-4 defense, the marriage of Babin and the Patriots might not work. In addition, like Jenkins, Babin had his best season entering free agency — he will likely command one of the heftiest contracts across the league as a result. Despite his  2010 production, on paper, it doesn’t appear to be the most cost-effective move for New England to pursue Babin.

Manny Lawson (AP)

Despite the labor uncertainty, WEEI.com will present a list of 10 possible fits for the Patriots in free agency (under the old Collective Bargaining Agreement) this offseason. For the rest of the players we have profiled as part of this feature, click here.

Manny Lawson
Position: Outside linebacker
Age: 26 (will turn 27 on July 3)
Height: 6-foot-5
Weight: 240

If the free agency rules of 2010 carry over to 2011, Lawson would be a restricted free agent, which would make it pretty hard to land him. But if there are new rules in effect with a new CBA, Lawson could be one of the more attractive free agents on the market, particularly to the Patriots. He’s a smart, heady player who has distinguished himself as one of the better young outside linebackers in the league.

Lawson’s sack numbers won’t blow you away — he led the 49ers with 6.5 in 2009, and had just 2.5 last year. But from the midway point of the 2009 season through last year, he was used primarily on first and second downs, which caused a dip in his totals. In addition, he’s known as a solid presence against the run. For more evidence, www.profootballfocus.com/blog/2011/03/16/pass-rushing-productivity-3/" target="_blank">check out this breakdown from the fine folks at Pro Football Focus. Regardless of what you think of their opinion of Tom Brady (and we have heard from many of you on that topic), the PFF guys present a very compelling argument that Lawson is one of the most productive pass rushers in the league.

In a recent ESPN article, Matt Williamson of Scouts Inc. weighed in on Lawson, and added a very interesting side note: “Every time I bring his name up, San Francisco fans are like, ‘He is a bust, he is not good.’ But the rest of the league wants him. The best might be ahead of him. He is long, fluid. If he went to New England, he might all of a sudden be going to Pro Bowl after Pro Bowl. Not that the San Francisco defense is bad, but you might be careful what you wish for with him leaving town. I don’t think he has been a bust.”

Regardless of the rules, San Francisco sounds ready to move on from Lawson, if not this year, than in the not-too-distant future. They took Aldon Smith — who plays the same position as Lawson — with the seventh overall pick in the draft. Which could mean that if he’s not available as a free agent, the 49ers might entertain the possibility of a trade sooner rather than later.

Why it might not work: As an unrestricted free agent, it would be a long shot. The asking price for Lawson would be too steep. And even if he is available, the contract would come at a hefty price — Lawson’s stock is on the rise seemingly everywhere outside of San Francisco. (The only red flag on that front came last year when he skipped OTA’s, reportedly because he was unhappy with his deal.) But at least on paper, the combination of Lawson and the Patriots appears to make a lot of sense.