Thing is it won't come down to convincing you. Bill and Tom and the staff often value things that fans simply don't factor into their evaluation. They often cite it as a player doing all the little things (which can include precise route running, well executed blocks, appropriate reads and adjustments) that make the offense effective and efficient even when personally not targeted. Some believe Branch has lost a step. According to Reiss he looked fast yesterday and Brady strongly commended him for one particularly well executed route.
IMO as well as some of the media, he was overused and wore down down the stretch last season in large part because Ocho and the kids provided nothing on the other side basically mandating his overuse, something the Lloyd signing was clearly persued to rectify. Stallworth was brought in for depth and insurance, but he's also had a history of hammy issues and is signed to a split contract. Then Gaffney became available - the guy who replaced Stallworth the last time out. Meantime, Gonzo hasn't managed to make it onto the field yet and he too is signed to a split contract. While Edleman is in a contract year and is still returning punts in OTA's, along with Welker and...Branch.
I think barring camp injury Branch is a virtual lock, Ditto Gaffney. Because they both possess the ability to run any route in a pinch. Lloyd, Welker, Branch, Gaffney, Edleman, and... Stallworth, Ocho, Gonzo, the rookie and everyone else competing for maybe one more receiver slot. Maybe. Absent ST versatility it may be hard to justify a 6th WR with an emergency WR already on the ST roster in Slater.