In a recent entry to NFL.com, Around The League blogger Brian McIntyre takes a look at the Patriots' salary cap situation heading into training camp.

He covers the team’s adjusted cap number ($128.992 million), remaining space underneath the cap ($10.874 million) and dives into the team’s best bargain, potential cap casualty, and a looming contract issue for 2013.

Tight end Aaron Hernandez, who has a maximum salary of just $740,000 this season (if he hits all of his bonuses) is McIntyre’s choice for the team’s best bargain. Hernandez was dynamic in 2011, and could have an even more unique role under new coordinator Josh McDaniels in 2012.

Given the low number of players the Patriots have with a base salary of over $2 million for 2012 (just four) and the team’s sizable remaining cap space, McIntyre was hard-pressed to choose a cap casualty. He notes a trio of veteran offensive skill players (Joseph Addai, Deion Branch and Jabar Gaffney) as possibilities to be cut because their deals are low on guaranteed money and higher on base salaries and bonuses.

As for the looming contract issue in 2013, not surprisingly, McIntyre taps receiver Wes Welker. Welker, who signed his franchise tag tender earlier this offseason, still has time to agree to terms on a multi-year extension with the team, but it is unclear if such a contract will be consummated.

If the team elects to franchise him again in 2013, they will be forced to pay Welker a 120 percent increase from his previous year salary, spiking his pay to $11.418 million.