Free agency will begin 4 p.m. sharp March 12 and the Patriots were gift-wrapped some salary cap relief from Tom Brady to gorge on all the available talent.

With 18 free agents of their own and five draft picks, the Patriots have the opportunity to upgrade after coming off a 12-4 season and an AFC Championship appearance.

The team can lure a number of stud of players in free agency, particularly in the secondary, on the defensive line and at wide receiver. The talent is there and possibly the value, too.

Here are our top free agent suggestions. It's another list of unsolicited advice for Bill Belichick that we really think he should take.