With New England's recent trade of quarterback Matt Cassel and Mike Vrabel to Kansas City for a second-round pick it certainly is becoming more and more feasible. The Patriots currently have a first-round pick (23rd overall) and three second-round picks (34th, 47th and 58th overall). You would think the Panthers might be tempted to trade Peppers if they're offered a first and a second. Or, if Carolina sticks to its guns and demands two first-rounders, perhaps the Patriots would be willing to first trade two second-round picks for a first rounder with another team and then pair that pick with their own first rounder and sign Peppers to an offer sheet.

That's obviously a lot to give up for Peppers, but the Patriots are clearly in need of a pass rusher and they do play a 3-4 defense that intrigues Peppers. For the record, the Patriots are about $15-$17 million under the salary cap, which would be plenty of room for Peppers if he agreed to a new deal.

Of course, a lot would have to happen, including the Panthers agreeing to trade him and the Patriots agreeing on a long-term contract with Peppers. Of course, compensation would be a big issue, too.

TEAM NEEDS/OFFSEASON STRATEGY

The Panthers have been doing absolutely nothing in free agency because they don't have the salary cap room. At some point, the team will look to bring in a veteran defensive lineman and a veteran offensive lineman to augment their depth.

TEAM NEEDS

1. Defensive end: The Panthers still need to find a replacement for Julius Peppers in case the team can't find a trade partner and he winds up holding out.

2. Defensive tackle: One of Carolina's weaknesses last year was a lack of depth in the middle of the line. They need to add a body here to help out Damione Lewis and Maake Kemoeatu.

3. Offensive line. After losing their top three backups in a span of four days, Carolina's offensive line depth has been depleted.

MEDICAL WATCH: Pro Bowl middle linebacker Jon Beason said in his blog that he tore the labrum in his shoulder last season during a regular season win over Arizona and had surgery on Feb. 12. He's currently in a sling and will be for another four weeks or so.

He said he may not participate in OTAs in June, but will "absolutely" be ready for training camp. "I put my arm down to push myself up and it kind of collapsed," Beason said. "I popped it back into place and got back in the huddle. I think we were winning, 24-23, and two plays later I made an interception that led to a field goal and we won the game. It's funny how certain players can play through pain and some can't. I have values for the parts of my body. In terms of my wings-shoulder, elbows, hands - it's not negotiable. Unless it's sticking through the skin or bleeding bad, I'm staying in the game."

FRANCHISE PLAYER: DE Julius Peppers: Tendered at $16.683M.

TRANSITION PLAYER: None

UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS:

--LB Donte Curry is a moderate special teams player who can be had on the cheap.

--KR
Mark Jones is a quality reliable returner the team would like to have back. But they have other options in Ryne Robinson and Jason Carter.

--LS Jason Kyle is an extremely reliable long snapper who the team would like to have back. But he might test the market.

--LB Adam Seward wants out of Carolina and would like to play in a 3-4 defense - or simply play on defense.

--DT Darwin Walker was inactive for the team's playoff game against Arizona despite having more playoff experience than any player on the roster, so that should tell you all you need to know about his chances of returning to Carolina.

UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS (not tendered)

--WR Jason Carter (not tendered as ERFA).

--DT Gary Gibson (not tendered as RFA) was a backup tackle last year and went on IR late in the season with a hand injury.

RESTRICTED FREE AGENTS

--LB James Anderson (tendered at $1.01M with third-round pick as compensation) has contributed little other than on special teams.

--TE Jeff King (tendered at $1.545M with second-round pick as compensation) has been a three-year starter.

--S Nate Salley (tendered at $1.01M with fourth-round pick as compensation) hasn't played all that much but the Panthers still like his game.

EXCLUSIVE RIGHTS FREE AGENTS

--DT Nick Hayden (tendered at $385,000) actually started toward the end of his rookie season in 2008 after getting cut in training camp. The team likes him and he'll be back.

--CB C.J. Wilson (tendered at $385,000) is a guy the Panthers really like and he could wind up being the No. 3 or 4 cornerback in 2009. The team may cut Ken Lucas, which would allow Wilson to move up the depth chart. He's a former safety with good cover skills.

PLAYERS RE-SIGNED

--OT Jordan Gross: Potential UFA; 6 yrs, terms unknown.

PLAYERS ACQUIRED

--QB Brett Basanez: FA; 2 yrs, terms unknown.

PLAYERS LOST

--OG Jeremy Bridges (released).

--RB Nick Goings (released).

--WR D.J. Hackett (released).

--OG Geoff Hangartner: UFA Bills; $9.6M/4 yrs, guarantees unknown.

--OT Frank Omiyale: UFA Bears; $11.5M/4 yrs, $5.5M SB.

--DT J'Vonne Parker: Not tendered as ERFA/Broncos; terms unknown.