2011 Offseason Outlook - Wide Receiver

[jmt57]

With the Pats season over and free agency (hopefully) and the draft still a ways away, I figured this would be a good time to look back - and look forward - with some discussion at each position on the team.

Wide Receiver
Deion Branch
Brandon Tate
Wes Welker
Julian Edelman
Taylor Price
Matthew Slater
Darnell Jenkins (practice squad)
Buddy Farnham (practice squad)

 

[jmt57]

Future Focus: Wide receivers - New England Patriots Blog - ESPN Boston

First instinct: The team’s potential moves at this position are tied to how they view Tate and Price, third-round picks from 2009 and 2010, and I think the view is positive. Thus, the feeling here is that a big move is not anticipated.

Storyline not to be overlooked: Do the Patriots have too many of the same type of receivers?

Future: Branch and Welker enter the final year of their contracts. The next three players on the depth chart -- Tate (2012), Edelman (2012) and Price (2013) -- have multiple years remaining on their deals.

Final thought: If the Patriots felt they wanted to add a big-play option, perhaps they’d consider Randy Moss’ return as a free-agent. If it’s the 2007-type Moss from an attitude perspective, it would be a slam dunk. Outside of Moss, I don’t see the team attempting to acquire/sign another veteran, such as Chad Ochocinco. My feeling is that the club invested a year in developing Taylor Price and they’ll give him the chance to be the guy.

2010 number of times targeted with a pass:
123 - Welker
74 -- Branch
46 -- Tate
14 -- Edelman

 

[Sciz]

Ideally, Price knocks Welker back down to the slot role. In reality, we're probably looking at Price spending another season inactive.

 

[jmt57]

Deion Branch, Wes Welker Solidify 2011 Receiving Corps, But Patriots Have Plenty of Offseason Options - New England Patriots - NESN.com - Jeff Howe

Hot Topic
Welker and Branch are each signed through 2011, and Branch has already told NESN.com he wants to play longer than that and eventually retire as a member of the Patriots. While the Pats can wait to deal with Branch, they should be more inclined to extend Welker's contract this offseason. Welker has been the heart and soul of this team for four years -- although, surprisingly, he's never been elected captain -- and his toughness in the middle of the football field helps drive the offense.

It would be risky to give Welker a contract extension now because of the amount of vicious hits he takes on a game-by-game basis, but his price will likely only increase in a year, especially if he is willing to test the open market. It isn't an absolute necessity to extend Welker's contract this offseason, but it would be a nice gesture of good faith.

Offseason Question
Will the Patriots attempt to make an upgrade at the third receiver position?

Second-year receiver Brandon Tate showed potential on kickoff returns, and his speed is always going to be an asset. However, he only had 24 receptions -- running back Danny Woodhead had 34 -- for 432 yards and three touchdowns, and he only had 13 catches in the last 12 games of the regular season. By no means is Tate a finished product, which should create some optimism, and he spent much of his previous two years recovering from knee injuries.

Some of Tate's chances were lost due to the development of the rookie tight ends, but the Patriots still need more production out of their third wide receiver. If they aren’t sure that Tate can take a big step forward next season, they could go after an intriguing cast of free agents ...

The Patriots can stay in house and hope Tate, Price and/or Jenkins progress -- obviously, New England's offense was just fine last season -- but if they'd like to make an upgrade, they'll have plenty of avenues to search.

 

[Sicilian]

At this point, I would not consider Slater a WR, even though he may technically be listed as one (or is he listed as a S? Not sure). He's a special teams player and nothing else.

I don't expect any draft picks to be used on WR, but a mid level vet brought in (ala Torry Holt, Joey Galloway, Jabar Gaffney, etc, even though two of those didn't work out), to give Tate/Price competition. The hope would be that Price shows something and Tate improves, negating the need for the vet insurance.

 

[jarnhestur]

Welker stays because he's, well, Welker. Edelman is a keeper and I would assume Price is as well. I would say that we don't know how either Edelman and Price would do in a full-time role, although personally I'm high on Edelman.

I think you can argue that Branch and Tate are both easily replaceable, particularly Tate. I expect Branch to stay because Brady seems to like him, but I'm not sure he's anything other then a slightly above average WR. Maybe a full off season will do him well, but I wasn't enamored with him. He had some good games and some bad games.

I think we still need to look to improve the WR position. It's far from set.

 

[JackBauer]

In reality, we're probably looking at Price spending another season inactive.

Why is that "probably" the case?

 

[Sicilian]

Why is that "probably" the case?

Not sure of the original poster's thought process, but I wouldn't be surprised if Price is inactive a lot too, especially early on. Nothing to do with his progress or potential, but seeing as we don't often carry five dedicated WRs on the active roster, and Welker, Branch, Tate, and Edelman are still ahead of him until proven otherwise, injury is the only way he's getting on the field. Especially since Tate and Edelman are valuable as returners.

As the season goes on though, if Tate doesn't show improvement, Price will get his shot for sure.

 

[Sciz]

Why is that "probably" the case?

Tate and Edelman offer special teams value, meaning Price would have to clearly be better than Tate to be active at all. If Price is only as good as Tate, then Tate gets the nod due to his KR value, and Edelman makes it since he is the PR.

Price definitely does have the talent to be a better outside receiver than Welker. Everything depends on whether he's ready mentally, and we see that jump usually in the 3rd year, not the 2nd.

 

[JackBauer]

Not sure of the original poster's thought process, but I wouldn't be surprised if Price is inactive a lot too, especially early on. Nothing to do with his progress or potential, but seeing as we don't often carry five dedicated WRs on the active roster, and Welker, Branch, Tate, and Edelman are still ahead of him until proven otherwise, injury is the only way he's getting on the field. Especially since Tate and Edelman are valuable as returners.

As the season goes on though, if Tate doesn't show improvement, Price will get his shot for sure.

That makes sense, but I doubt they keep that stable of receivers as constituted unless Tate takes a sizeable step forward in his progress. Welker, Branch, and Edelman all give you essentially the same thing, and as we saw in the Jets game they really need more of a vertical presence and guys who can pose threats outside the numbers on a consistent basis.

Plus, those guys aren't the most durable wideouts in the game, to say the least.

 

[jeffbiologist]

The way I see it is that Price and Tate will be battling for the active 4th WR spot. Edleman's role should increase if he is to take over the slot in '12, Welker could be expendable. Truth is Welker is best used in combination with a deep threat and he is an expensive luxury if we arent using him like that.
We were fairly healthy at this position this year, it hardly ever happens that way. Redundancy is good in covering this, but I think the short comings fall more on Tate than anyone else. I'm sure we will have some vet in camp pushing someone or getting hurt. I dont expect to see Branch in the preseason at all..if there is one.

 

[Deus Irae]

Just an observation:


Matthew Slater could end up paying the cost of Brandon Tate's disappointing season, unless rosters are expanded with the new CBA. If the Patriots decide that there's a need to bring in another WR to compete for the deep/speed receiver position because Tate didn't get it done and Price is still developing, they'll need to make a cut somewhere to fit the roster. A pure ST guy might be where the team would look to make the cut.

 

[RayClay]

Our offense works vey well and a straight line deep receiver distorts it IMO. No reason we can't pick up a guy that's fast and quic, able to run all the routes plus beat single coverage and/or go deep to keep teams from playing us like the Jets did. I think a guy like Patten had that versatility and that's without breaking the bank. as long as people overvalue (IMO) the 6'4" burners we can have quick and fast receivers, giving up a little size. We still have mismatches in Gronk and Hernandez.

Doesn't mean we don't have trouble with tall receivers on other teams occasionally, but that has noting to do with how our offense runs best.

 

[Deus Irae]

Our offense works vey well and a straight line deep receiver distorts it IMO. No reason we can't pick up a guy that's fast and quic, able to run all the routes plus beat single coverage and/or go deep to keep teams from playing us like the Jets did. I think a guy like Patten had that versatility and that's without breaking the bank. as long as people overvalue (IMO) the 6'4" burners we can have quick and fast receivers, giving up a little size. We still have mismatches in Gronk and Hernandez.

Doesn't mean we don't have trouble with tall receivers on other teams occasionally, but that has noting to do with how our offense runs best.

Ray, the problem is that the team doesn't even have a Givens, nevermind a Moss, if you know what I mean. Also, the team repeatedly tried to bring in a deep/speed guy. It's just that Bethel failed before Moss succeeded.

 

[PatriotsInGA]

Dump Tate. Draft Julio Jones/Sign Holmes

 

[RayClay]

Ray, the problem is that the team doesn't even have a Givens, nevermind a Moss, if you know what I mean. Also, the team repeatedly tried to bring in a deep/speed guy. It's just that Bethel failed before Moss succeeded.

I'll agree that Bethel fit the mold, but he wasn't a football player and had no production on a run oriented team in college.

The perfect guy would be a Deion Branch, but the Deion Branch of a few years ago pre knee injuries,/wear and tear. Those long striders just seem to cause us to play one offense for the big guy and one for the 3-4 smutfs and TEs. I'd keep the current Deion (as a 2,3)too, but a more elusive fast/quick receiver is needed too, IMO.

 

[part-timer]

I feel fairly comfortable going into training comp with the current compition but, I may add one more piece to guarentee the fact that at least one and maby two get cut increasing the level of competion to the survival level. I would be wary that they may have a comfort level if they all could find a spot again on the roster or PS. This pick I see comeing in round 5, possibly Cecil Shorts III.

 

[Sciz]

Just an observation:


Matthew Slater could end up paying the cost of Brandon Tate's disappointing season, unless rosters are expanded with the new CBA. If the Patriots decide that there's a need to bring in another WR to compete for the deep/speed receiver position because Tate didn't get it done and Price is still developing, they'll need to make a cut somewhere to fit the roster. A pure ST guy might be where the team would look to make the cut.

Slater is probably the best of the pure special-teams guys. Somebody like Murrell, Sergio Brown, or Thomas Clayton should be gone before Slater.

 

[convertedpatsfan]

I think Price looked really good in the last game of the season. If he continues to develop, that would be a big boost to the WR group. Combined with a healthy Welker all season, one could argue we don't need to do much at WR in the draft.

 

[mgteich]

Every year, posters want us to keep ZERO special team specialists except kicker, punter and deep snapper. And every year, the posters are wrong.

MY POSTION
There is always room for 3 special-teams only players on a Belichick team. This year, we had Slater, White and Brown. They earned their keep a lot more than others at the bottom of the roster. If we can upgrade and fine special teamers, then great. I think it best to consider that these players are starters on special teams.

Just an observation:


Matthew Slater could end up paying the cost of Brandon Tate's disappointing season, unless rosters are expanded with the new CBA. If the Patriots decide that there's a need to bring in another WR to compete for the deep/speed receiver position because Tate didn't get it done and Price is still developing, they'll need to make a cut somewhere to fit the roster. A pure ST guy might be where the team would look to make the cut.