The New England Patriots won Super Bowl XXXVI in part because of their ability to blend modestly priced free-agent veterans into significant roles, and it appears the 2001 champions are planning a similar formula for the upcoming season.

ESPN.com has learned that the Patriots have reached a contract agreement with unrestricted free-agent cornerback Tom Knight, a five-year veteran who played his entire previous NFL career in Arizona, and who was the Cardinals' first-round choice in the 1997 draft. Knight will sign a two-year contract worth at least $1.65 million.

The deal includes base salaries of $825,000 each for 2002 and 2003. There are stipulations that could raise his compensation to $1.3 million this season and $3.1 million next year.

Knight, 27, also was pursued by the Cincinnati Bengals, Oakland Raiders and Denver Broncos.

It is likely that Knight, who has started 53 games in his career, will serve as the "nickel" corner for the Patriots in 2002. The team already has lost one of its veteran backup cornerbacks from last season, Terrance Shaw, who signed a two-year contract with Oakland last month. Terrell Buckley was the Pats' third corner in 2001 and he remains an unrestricted free agent.

The acquisition of Knight might not preclude the re-signing of Buckley, but it reduces some of the urgency to do so. Arizona now has lost both its 2001 starting cornerbacks, Knight and Corey Chavous, in free agency. The Cardinals did sign Duane Starks, arguably the top cornerback in the free-agent market, to a five-year, $23 million contract last month.

A former Iowa star, Knight has been held back at times by injuries, and he appeared in just nine games last season. Despite having just average straightline speed, Knight has the potential to still blossom into a solid cover defender, and his knowledge of the game and solid work ethic are among his strongest attributes.

Knight was the ninth overall player selected in the '97 draft and started 14 games as a rookie. He has appeared in 65 games and has 233 tackles, three interceptions and 37 passes defensed.

Len Pasquarelli is a senior writer for ESPN.com.