Report: Alan Branch To Remain With Patriots

BOSTON (CBS) -- The defensive line was without a doubt one of the Patriots' strongest units in 2015, and a key member of that line will be returning in 2016.

The Patriots will pick up the option on Alan Branch's contract, keeping him with the team for the 2016 season, according to ESPN's Mike Reiss and the Boston Herald's Jeff Howe

Branch, 31, spent the last season-and-a-half with the Patriots. He recorded 35 total tackles last year, including one sack, while forcing two fumbles and defending two passes.

The 2016 season will be his 10th in the NFL. He was drafted 33rd overall in the 2007 draft by the Arizona Cardinals, and he played for Seattle in 2010 and '11 and Buffalo in '13.