Anticipation is at an all-time high for the New England Patriots this offseason.

Tom Brady’s future with the team appears to be very cloudy and it’s shaking up the process for free agency in Foxborough. The Patriots have around $40 million to work with in cap space, but the list of free agents doesn’t give them much flexibility to make offseason moves. The list includes prominent names like Brady, Devin McCourty, Kyle Van Noy, Matthew Slater, Jamie Collins, Joe Thuney and Danny Shelton.

The Patriots also have a dire need to replenish the tight end position after an incredibly inefficient season from the group in 2019. But, the position that may hold the second-most importance behind quarterback is defensive line. New England’s defensive line was already thin and having Shelton and Adam Butler on the free agent market doesn’t help.

Lawrence Guy is who the Patriots will build around if they can’t retain either Butler or Shelton. There are some notable free agents on the market the Patriots should consider, especially considering their lackluster run defense in 2019.

Here are five free agent defensive tackle prospects for New England.

D.J. Reader (Houston Texans)

D.J. Reader, 25, has spent his four NFL seasons with the Houston Texans. He’s sent for free agency this offseason and expecting a large payday, making it a long shot for the Patriots to attain him. But, the situation would become a lot more interesting if the Patriots let go of Shelton and/or Butler.

Reader carries a nose tackle build at 6-foot-3, 347 pounds, but his increasing ability to rush the passer brings an intriguing dynamic. He had a career-high 2.5 sacks and 13 quarterback pressures last season — surpassing 11 quarterback hits in his first three seasons. Since 2016, Reader has played in 61 of 64 possible games and proved to be durable.

The paycheck will make it difficult for New England to retain him, but Reader could be a game-changer for a struggling defensive line.