n8wood

http://www.profootballtalk.com/rumormill.htm

Do we take a stab at RFA Wes Welker in exchange for a second rounder?

He is young, an impact player on ST, and an underrated receiver. Think Troy in his glory years. Statistics aside they both have intangibles that many overlook and with Troy possibly retiring he would move right in as a long term replacement. He's clutch and everything I've read about him leads me to believe he's a good locker room presence and a believer in the team concept.

It comes down to whether you believe we can get better production out of a (low) second rounder. Many say it takes at least 2 years for a receiver to adapt to the NFL, so that should be weighed also. We've had mixed results with second rounder receivers so far, Branch = great, Bethel = bust, CJ = ???. WW would remove most of that uncertainty, but we'd sacrifice the upside of a possible #1 receiver (like Branch).

In comparison to the Dillon trade, it seems like we'd be getting less value. But assuming Dillon is gone, we got only 3 years out of him and only 1 really great season. Welker is in his prime, we could sign him long term and he'd be a contributer in two phases of the game.

If any non-Pats receiver seems like he should be donning the Blue/Silver, it's Welker. I think he is worth the price.

SamBamsFan

I'll pass. I can think of 4 dbs, 3 lbs and 3-4 wr's that are in the draft that I'd prefer to pick w/ our 2nd.

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Mike the Brit

I love Welker and I think that at this time of the year people exaggerate the up-side of possible draft picks and downplay the risks. But I'm not sure that he's "Troy in his glory years". Troy had pace and elusiveness that I haven't seen in Welker. If it were me, though, I'd roll the dice on him.

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They say what doesn't kill you makes you stronger. Well, Pats fans should be invincible by now. [Fitzy, 16 November 2009]

Still here to learn

ironwasp

I think I'd be more tempted by Hackett than Welker.

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MoLewisrocks

If we keep Asante we don't need a DB in the second, and if we don't we can probably draft one in the second if not the first. I'd go a second for Welker. This team needs a shot of versatile, hard nosed, offensive adreneline that this kid brings. Great field position, no Maroney and Hobbs on the return team, a replacement for our soon to retire versatile smurf.

This is a kid who can multi-task. WR/KR/PR/PK and who knows what else he could be coached up to do.

bevster

If it was my decision, I would give up a second rounder for Welker in a second.

zippo59

No way. Welker is just not that good. He is not as good as Troy Brown in his prime.

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Unofficial Kevin Faulk supporter.

Digger44

I am tending to lean that way as well, but it is tough to give up a solid draft pick for him. He would boost our SP and WR for sure. I think it depends on BB draft strategy as well. If he plans to use the 1st 3 picks for defense then you wont see Welker, but if he was planning on getting a WR with one of them, then he may seriously look at it.

Digger44

Honestly though, not many are as good a Troy in his prime. I dont think he can be expected to be as good as Troy right now either because of the team and QB situation. Why are you saying he is not that good?

patfanken

I think he's the answer to a lot of holes, especially if Troy retires. Understand that most of my knowledge about the guy comes from seeing him against the Pats. In those games he's been a REAL force on special teams, and has been very productive as a slot receiver. His toughness and resiliancy make him attractive to me. Despite his size, he doesn't seem to miss many game and catches the ball in traffic well. We'd get a lot more out of him in 2007 than we would with any WR or DB we'd pick up in the second round.

If we can't get a Kevin Curtis, I'm all for Wes Welker. HE'S A GAMER