MaineMan

Branch, Boldin, Bryant. Any of them would be fine by me for exactly the reason you state. But no ONE of those guys is going to fix the depth problem by himself unless he can be on the field in two positions at the same time. We still need to draft a couple guys. And, if we get one of those three, that's all the more reason NOT to go for a WR the 1st or early 2nd.

mayoclinic

Right now we have Moss (signed through 2010), Welker (likely out for most or all of 2010), Tate (injury status uncertain though likely to play in 2010), Edelman, Aiken and Stanbeck. Edelman should be able to play the slot adequately in Welker's absence based on his 2009 performance. Moss will hopefully be better in 2010 given the story that he played much of last year with a separated shoulder. Add a solid #2 and Tate for depth and our WR corps should be much stronger than last year.

I'm not sure why we need to still draft a couple of guys given that scenario, and I certainly don't see the need to draft one high. I'd love to pick up an Eric Decker or a Freddie Barnes at a discount if they are available at the right point, but I wouldn't necessarily go into the draft needing a WR who can contribute for 2010.

I'm personally looking to 2011 to draft a long-term successor to Moss, with talents like AJ Green, Michael Floyd, Julio Jones and Jonathan Baldwin likely coming out. I think all of those guys are in a different league than any prospect in the 2010 draft, including Dez Bryant.

I'm also hoping that the silver lining to Welker's injury will be that TB will go back to spreading the ball around more and targeting the open receiver instead of focusing on Welker all the time.

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"OVER Loading at ANY position can create a Fatal Advantage. THAT is what interests ME. Attacking With Concentrated Force. THAT is what WINS. In the words ~ more or less ~ of General Patton: 'I'm fighting a WAR, here. Let the B*****ES worry about their FLANKS.' " - Off the Grid

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MaineMan

I think we're pretty much in agreement. I'd be very happy to pick up one of the Three Bs free agents being kicked around here. That would give us Moss, a "B" and Edelman. Can't count on Welker or Tate. Aiken and Stanback simply aren't anything like real receivers. So, I'd at least go for Barnes or White or someone similar in the 4th.

IF we sign Wilfork and Bodden and don't lose Neal to retirement,
AND IF we can pick up a decent defensive player in FA (I like the Dansby idea and think it's entirely possible. I'd prefer Kampmann over Taylor over Peppers, but I doubt any of those happen.)
AND IF we pick up solid defensive players with our first three picks, THEN I could also see splurging on someone like Gilyard or Shipley with our #53.

That would give us three fairly reliable WRs, two rookies who have at least demonstrated that they can get open and catch and two injured guys, either of whom might return to the lineup later in the season as high-end guys. We could end up with everyone healthy and ready for Week One - seven pretty decent pass-catchers - and have to decide which one of the promising rookies to try to slide through waivers to the practice squad. I'd love THAT dilemma for a change.

carolinatony

What he said. We need some MOJO in our defense

MaineMan

Teams tend to prefer WRs with great speed, height, Combine numbers - but especially speed (4.35-4.45) - who they can teach to run routes, etc. over guys with lesser measurables who can already run routes (You can't teach a guy to be tall, fast, etc.). So the magnificent physical specimens waiting to be filled with great NFL skills go early, in the first 35 - 45 picks. Then they have to take a year to learn the skills - IOW, no immediate impact. But quite often (just slightly under 50% of the time), these guys simply can't pick up the necessary skills and they bust. Anyway, I think THIS is where the adage about WRs taking a year before they contribute comes from - because everybody's watching these high-profile guys.

Meanwhile, the other guys - the ones who are much slower (4.50-4.55, say) but who may already have the skills - go later in the 2nd, early in the 3rd (often even later). These guys have a far lower bust rate (only about 35%) and more often make very good contributions right out of the gate, though that depends a lot on the specific depth chart and QB situation they're drafted into. But, y'know, nobody's really paying a lot of attention to them or their solid, immediate #3-level contributions - unless one of them turns out to be a stud and then everyone's surprised.

I think, with Brady at QB and at least two or three essentially open WR spots to start the season, the Pats would be much better served taking a guy or even two from this second group rather than going for a WR earlier.