Assuming a Cassel trade (big assumption), I believe the Patriots will have the resources (picks and cap room) to address all of their pressing offseason personnel needs, including a #3 WR. I realize that there is a mood that the defense needs all the attention this offseason and that the offense, the WR corps in particular, is good enough such that a #3 WR is a nice but minor need. I disagree--I believe that an upgrade at the #3 WR would be a significant upgrade to this team and therefore is a significant offseason priority.
I started to think about the value of a #3 WR when the rumor of Deion Branch return was floated--imagine if the Patriots had a small, quick, smart #3 WR that could play the outside and dominate against single coverage. If he had enough speed to threaten the CB, he would be open all day for outs, slants, and stop routes.
The reality is that when this team loses it is often because the offense struggles. Of course the defense needs help, but in fact they don't lose a lot of high-scoring games. Often, our offense struggles when the QB is pressured, usually by blitzing. Moss isn't a great blitz-beating WR, leaving Welker and screens at this point. If we had a #3 WR that was great at beating blitzes, it could be a significant component of the offense when teams are pressuring.
I like Gaffney, but he could be upgraded significantly. It'd be nice to re-sign him as a #4, if the special teams could handle it. A #3 WR upgrade would also help if Moss gets hurt, which is currently not an attractive scenario for this team.
So, any suggestions of available free agents or draftees that could fill this need for a small, quick, smart #3 WR with enough speed?
Isaac ya bum, where've you been goofing off at? Get your butt over to the Draft Forum and let's get this WR thing hashed out!
Options:
Percy Harvin, Florida 5-11/195 - still learning how to be a deep threat, but a versatile talent who can be used in a variety of ways.
Hakeem Nicks, North Carolina 6-1/210 - Awsome bowl game against WV.
Darrius Heyward-Bey, Maryland 6-2/206 - Fast, gets the Uncle Heatster prime beef stamp of approval.
Derrick Williams, Penn State 5-11/197 - Doing a better job running routes in the Senior Bowl practices than was expected, speedy.
Brian Robiskie, Ohio State 6-3/207 - well trained possession kid who has enough speed to get deep on some routes too.
Kenny Britt, Rutgers 6-4/215 - productive kid, but with a history of drops.
Juaquin Iglesias, Oklahoma 6-1/204 - may be sliding some more if he doesn't break loose in the Senior Bowl game after a lackluster week of practice.
Louis Murphy, Florida 6-2/205 - Speedy, reportedly not a great route runner, "Florida" WR, missing the Senior Bowl after a knee injury in the BCS Championship.
Mohamed Massaquoi, Georgia 6-2/210 - Britt redux.
Brandon Gibson, Washington State 6-1/204 - Getting some love from his Senior Bowl practices.
Austin Collie, BYU 6-2/206 - productive possession WR.
Mike Thomas, Arizona 5-08/187 - described as a slot WR, but with more speed than Welker, perhaps more of a Branch-type with good hands who can play a 1-b WR in time.
Quan Cosby, Texas 5-09/191 - playmaker.
Brandon Tate, North Carolina 6-1/195 - productive WR, coming off an ACL injury.
Brooks Foster, North Carolina 6-1/204 - Getting some love from his Senior Bowl practices.
Jeremy Childs, Boise State 6-0/196 - he was a playmaker for Boise, I'd take a late round flyer on him.
Tiquan Underwood, Rutgers 6-2/185 - had an off year but was very productive for Rutgers.
D.J. Boldin, Wake Forest 5-11/220 - started coming on his Senior season, maybe he could be a late round version of his big brother.