Much coveted linebacker Rosevelt Colvin, rated as one of the most prized players in free agency and assessed by ESPN.com as the No. 1 unrestricted veteran this spring, reached a contract agreement with the New England Patriots.

While complete financial details were not yet available, it is believed Colvin will sign a seven-year deal worth about $30 million.

	Colvin

The addition of Colvin, 25, provides the Patriots great flexibility and further allows head coach Bill Belichick and defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel the latitude to use both the 4-3 and 3-4 fronts. There has been much speculation that New England would use more of the 3-4 look in 2003, and Colvin is a tremendous fit for that alignment.

Colvin is more of a defensive end than a pure linebacker, although his physical dimensions all but dictate that he play the latter position full-time. His rare blend of athleticism, however, gives Patriots coaches plenty of options in how to deploy him.

"This was the best fit for me," Colvin said. "My thoughts in the last couple days have circled so many different ways. But they have been a winning team and their defense is a system I like. I can be a very good piece of the puzzle. I'm not the answer by myself, not by any means, but I know I can make the people around me better players."

Colvin visited four other teams early in the signing period and finally met with New England officials last weekend. Sources said that even before that meeting, however, the Patriots were working on a deal with Colvin.

The four-year veteran gives the Patriots their best pass rush threat in years and should help free up Willie McGinest. With the explosive Colvin likely to operate opposite him in some fronts, McGinest's value as a rusher should be significantly enhanced.

Colvin posted 10½ sacks in each of the past two seasons with the Chicago Bears, the only NFL team he had played for, but a club that could not afford to retain him because of financial commitments to its other linebackers.

New England has not had a player record double-digits sacks since 1995.

Colvin underwent shoulder surgery in January, but both he and New England officials said his rehabilitation is on course and there have been no complications in the recovery.

A fourth-round draft choice of the Bears in 1999, Colvin has totaled 210 tackles, 26 sacks, seven forced fumbles, three recoveries and eight passes defensed in 56 appearances and 36 starts. The former Purdue standout was principally a strong-side linebacker during his Bears tenure.

His free-agency visits over the past two weeks included meetings with Detroit, Arizona, Houston and the New York Giants.

Len Pasquarelli is a senior writer for ESPN.com.