I'm realistic about what to expect from WRs in any season. In most systems (though less so with the Pats) your #1 & #2 WRs get the bulk of receptions. Your #3 plays a significant role as well.

The Pats like to spread the ball a bit more and your 1,2,3, & 4 WRs all get a good number of passes thrown their way.

Branch is our clear #1. Brown had a solid #3 season last year but given his age I look at him as a #4.

Caldwell and whoever we draft I also classify as #4 WRs at best (I don;t expect much from rookie WRs outside of the top tier WRs in their first year)

So that, in my eyes, leaves us with a #1 WR - and a handful of #4 WRs. Not good if you ask me.

I didn't feel good about WR depth last year and was proven correct - though Branch and Givens carried the load. I feel that the WR corps has taken a step backwards now.

And while many are counting on our TEs to step in and fill the void, with limited downfield threats, defenders will be much more able to better cover the short pass routes - making things a lot tougher for Watson, Graham, Brown and a WR like Hass.

Santonio Holmes was on NFL Network last night and was quite impressive. He's finishing school despite about to be a millionaire and is taking care of his child so despite some supposed personality issues he seems quite mature. He comes across well too. I realize we don't spend a lot of resources on WR but Holmes and Branch together could really be something and Holmes would be a good replacement for Branch if the unfortunate happens and Deion leaves.

BTW, I should add that I may have inadvertently soured some people when I repeated what a Buckeye fan told me that he's aloof and tough to get along with. I asked on the Browns board and while someone remembered the post I referred to, they were basically unanimous that Holmes has had few character issues while at Ohio State and no serious ones. That rumor I seem to have spread appears to be false, sorry.

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Don't Give Me a Defensive Player Who Can't Tackle . . . What Am I Going to Do With Him ? --- Bill Belichick

An underrated receiver that's not getting a lot of attention is Brandon Williams. He's a bit on the small side but he can do a lot of things. He's fast, quick and runs good routes. And he could could step right in and play special teams as he's as dangerous a return man as there is. He had outstanding stats in a run-happy offense. He also had great receiving games vs. a good Penn State secondary and vs. a solid Auburn D in the bowl game.

Yeah, I had him on my 4th round list. I like Greg Jennings better but Williams is interesting, if for nothing else but as a return man. And maybe he would develop as a WR too. We have lost our only explosive PR so that's something to keep in mind.

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Don't Give Me a Defensive Player Who Can't Tackle . . . What Am I Going to Do With Him ? --- Bill Belichick

I have another name of the same mold:

Skyler Green

I've been waiting for this guy to enter the draft since his freshman year at LSU. He's just exciting to watch because he can really turn on the jets & he's shifty.

Travis Wilson and Greg Jennings are the two guys that impress me the most and that I would expect to fit in well here. I believe Holmes and Branch are very similiar WR, though Holmes is more of a home run threat. If we feel like we will not re-sign Branch than he could definitely be the pick. Jackson could also fit well, especially since we throw a lot of screens and he would have the chance to make plays with the ball in his hands. He is a willing blocker but he has had some past problems with fumbles. People will look at his 10 yards per catch last year and think he was not productive, but the year before when he wasn't in the spread offense he broke the UF record with 22 per catch. I would like to see him here, but only if Belichick thinks he could run crisper routes, since he tends to round them off slightly.

Both??? Even better..I like Hass...and Avant would make it even more sweeter..but would we take 2 fairly early??

Precisely my thought too...

Why not? BB did that with LTs last year.

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"Lord Favrequad" Stolen from Demolition Man
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Does anyone else like Martin Nance? I remember people talking about him as a number one overall pick pre-injury...now the hype has died down, and he should be available with our first third.