How he fits: Re-signing Talib, the team’s top corner, was considered a key factor in the Patriots’ title hopes for next season. He made the most of his opportunity with New England after he was acquired in a trade with Tampa Bay on Nov. 1. He brought stability and shutdown ability to a struggling Patriots secondary. Talib has the size (6-1, 205) and skills to match up against top receivers—and that’s exactly what he’ll be asked to do in 2013.

His ability to match up one-on-one takes pressure off the rest of the secondary and allows the team to be more aggressive in blitz packages.