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Fitzgerald is as close to a sure thing as is available, though.
Jackson - one incident away from a year-long suspension
Rice- coming off of injury, and only has one good season in his career, to date
Smith - injury concern, and not a real speed/deep threat
Breaston - Classic case of a WR3 living off of his WR1 and WR2
Floyd - turns 30 in September, has career highs of 45 catches and 776 yards
Sims-Walker - Marked decline from last year to this year, despite team's significant improvement
Holmes - Dumbass, and on the edge of a year-long suspension
Edwards - One of the more overrated players in football. Dumbass. Anti-Patriots in terms of attitude
The only Fitzgerald issues right now would seem to be trading compensation and signing costs. Both are significant issues, but ones that would be dealt with the moment the trade was made and the contract signed. That's different from all the other options you listed. I'm not saying your idea doesn't have merit, or wouldn't work (Heck, I've mentioned Jackson mysef). I'm just noting the potential issues.
Again, you cannot take out the compensation package. If Fitzgerald was an UFA, it would be a no brainer which way to go. He's not. If a problem child like Brandon Marshall can net the Broncos two second rounders, the low end of the asking price for Fitzgerald is a first and second. The Cards are probably going to hold out for two firsts. That changes the equation.
Once the Pats got rid of Moss, we found out the Pats can have an elite offense without a down the field threat. Now after one loss, it is a priority to mortgage the future on an elite WR. I don't get it. I think it is a need, but not a need that the Pats need to throw elite money and draft picks at. If I overestimated the trade market for Fitzgerald and he comes much cheaper, I might revise my position.
If the Pats are going to make a huge splash in terms of elite salary and first and second day draft picks, this team would be better served going after an elite defensive player than an elite offensive player. When the offense, as constituted, is clicking, it is as good or better than any offense in the league. We don't know if Fitzgerald would have made a difference two weeks ago.