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Cap check

The Patriots currently have slightly more than $15 million in salary cap space, the highest figure in the NFL.

The Eagles rank second at around $13 million.

What might the team do with the cap space (which now accounts for the top 51 salaries)?

An extension for receiver Deion Branch appears to be one of the top priorities, and that would likely take up no less than $5 million. Money must also be set aside for the team's draft picks.

Assuming Branch and the draft picks get done, that would likely still leave some significant salary cap space to utilize.

The Patriots could use some of that to sweeten an offer to free-agent cornerback Ty Law. Or they could focus on extensions for tight end Daniel Graham, cornerback Asante Samuel and center Dan Koppen.

The salary cap for all NFL teams is $102 million for 2006.