Wide Receiver Depth Chart Predictions

[JoeSixPat]

And they'll all see significant time.

For that reason the Patriots don't really employ the traditional depth chart.

Stallworth will be on the field for most plays simply to stretch the field deep.

Because he is going deep don't expect him to be the leading WR in terms of catches. He doesn't need to have a lot of catches to be "effective" and nor does Brady need to be throwing high risk passes 30 yards deep often.

Caldwell and Welker will battle it out for being on the other side of the field consistently. As of now give the edge to Caldwell. He has his timing with Brady down. Welker does not - but in the future I expect Welker to grab this spot.

Welker and/or Brown (don't forget, Brown can make the team as a jack of all trades, providing DB depth too) are the 3rd down posession wrs. Gaffney can play this role too.

Jackson and Washington - anyone in the 4-6 spots - generally aren't going to see as much time on the field.

However, I think McDaniel finally realized last year that multiple WR sets make things tough on DCs even if all the WRs aren't all that good.

I expect he'll continue to go with that quite often now that he has better WRs.

 

[Fixit]

Are you making a current depth chart standing or a future prediction?

Just curious.

Either, neither, both. Stallworth is the clear #1 and Welker is the slot guy at #3. Washington is an unknown quantity, so he's an easy #5 right now. That leaves Gaffwell, uh, Caldney to fill #2 and #4, and Gaffney has impressed me in the short time he's been here.

But a depth chart in Patriot-Land is almost irrelevant when there's a lot of depth. If four or five of them earn the right to play, they'll play.

 

[Fixit]

For that reason the Patriots don't really employ the traditional depth chart.

Stallworth will be on the field for most plays simply to stretch the field deep.

Because he is going deep don't expect him to be the leading WR in terms of catches. He doesn't need to have a lot of catches to be "effective" and nor does Brady need to be throwing high risk passes 30 yards deep often.

Caldwell and Welker will battle it out for being on the other side of the field consistently. As of now give the edge to Caldwell. He has his timing with Brady down. Welker does not - but in the future I expect Welker to grab this spot.

Welker and/or Brown (don't forget, Brown can make the team as a jack of all trades, providing DB depth too) are the 3rd down posession wrs. Gaffney can play this role too.

Jackson and Washington - anyone in the 4-6 spots - generally aren't going to see as much time on the field.

However, I think McDaniel finally realized last year that multiple WR sets make things tough on DCs even if all the WRs aren't all that good.

I expect he'll continue to go with that quite often now that he has better WRs.

When they spread five guys this year, I just might salivate.*

*The previous statement should in no way be construed as being as gay as it sounded. Not that there's anything wrong with that.

 

[Krazy Koz]

I'm going to throw a wrench into the predictions:

set #1
1 Stallworth
2 either Gaffney, Caldwell, or Welker depending on what BB wants to do

set #2
1 stallworth
2 & 3 any mix of Gaffney, Caldwell, Welker, or Washington depending on what BB whats to do

Basically I think BB is going to use their versitility and different talents to pair them in various different formations/groups to exploit missmatchs and their won't be a standard set. I think we saw some of this last year. Plus it goes right along with the theme of speading the ball around and the best WR is the open one.

 

[pats1]

Either, neither, both. Stallworth is the clear #1 and Welker is the slot guy at #3. Washington is an unknown quantity, so he's an easy #5 right now. That leaves Gaffwell, uh, Caldney to fill #2 and #4, and Gaffney has impressed me in the short time he's been here.

What did he do in the regular season to impress you? What did Caldwell?

Did Caldwell have a let-down in the playoffs?

But a depth chart in Patriot-Land is almost irrelevant when there's a lot of depth. If four or five of them earn the right to play, they'll play.

Surely.

 

[Fixit]

What did he do in the regular season to impress you? What did Caldwell?

Did Caldwell have a let-down in the playoffs?



Surely.

Hey, I'm very positive on Caldwell, despite the two glaring drops in the playoffs. I think he could end up being the #2, and it wouldn't surprise me. Gaffney was awesome in the playoffs, and not just numbers-wise. His routes, hands, footwork, and guts showed me a lot. I just think he'll earn the #2 spot, that's all.

I could be wrong. It has happened once or twice before.

 

[Fantasic4x50x54x59x55]

1..Stallworth

2..Caldwell/Gaffney <~ Battle it out...most productive gets extension, the next gets cut or isnt resigned

3.Welker (Slot, Special Teams Specialist)

4.(inster loser of Caldwell/Gaffney Battle here)

5.Washington -- Used Sparingly, Stretch Field, Solid Player incase of injuries

THIS WHOLE LIST is subject to change..Jackson's injury length, if he's ready to go or not...Also The Draft hasnt happened yet, so we have no clue who they pick up here..although chances are if they do go receiver he wont contribute much this season

By the End of the season I believe it will go something like

1..Stallworth
2.Jackson
3.Welker
4.(Gaffney/Caldwell Winner)
5.Washington
6.(Gaffney/Caldwell Loser) <~ IF I had to choose who I would want? Caldwell naturally, Ive seen more of him.)

 

[pats1]

Hey, I'm very positive on Caldwell, despite the two glaring drops in the playoffs. I think he could end up being the #2, and it wouldn't surprise me. Gaffney was awesome in the playoffs, and not just numbers-wise. His routes, hands, footwork, and guts showed me a lot. I just think he'll earn the #2 spot, that's all.

I could be wrong. It has happened once or twice before.

That's your personal opinion, so fine.

But you're still wrong.

 

[ayjackson]

Caldwell makes the team over Gaffney. Caldwell starts over Washington.



Caldwell starts over Gaffney.

I think too many of us are still drunk over Gaffney's playoff performance. He's very much on the bubble in 2007. Caldwell is not.

the thread asked for our predictions, not your critiques - why not keep them confined to your "caldwell" thread

 

[pats1]

the thread asked for our predictions, not your critiques - why not keep them confined to your "caldwell" thread

I didn't see the rule where I (or anyone else, for that matter) couldn't engage in critical discussion.

 

[BradyManny]

Stallworth - 1 Wr

Caldwell 2 Wr

Welker 3 Wr

Washington 4 Wr

Gaffney 5 Wr

Jackson - PUP

No way the team keeps 6 wr.. Jackson is too much of a unknown..

Why no way the team keeps 6 wr?

3 of the 5 guys who are going to make the team have had some injury probs in the past (Caldwell, Stallworth, Washington). Why not carry a 6th?

 

[Krazy Koz]

I didn't see the rule where I (or anyone else, for that matter) couldn't engage in critical discussion.

That's your personal opinion, so fine.

But you're still wrong.

It's my forum and I'll be an arrogant jerk if I want to.

 

[ayjackson]

I didn't see the rule where I (or anyone else, for that matter) couldn't engage in critical discussion.

no rules...i just we'd had enough of it in the other thread...

 

[Fixit]

It's my forum and I'll be an arrogant jerk if I want to.

It's okay. People just naturally hate me.

 

[pats1]

Why no way the team keeps 6 wr?

3 of the 5 guys who are going to make the team have had some injury probs in the past (Caldwell, Stallworth, Washington). Why not carry a 6th?

I don't know if I'd call a torn ACL an injury problem.

 

[NE_PATS_FAN_54]

Wide Out:
1) Stallworth: the only way he doesn't have the best stats at the end of the season is if he misses games.

2) Gaffney/Caldwell: it really could go either way. If both are healthy after camp they may split time here. Who's the better #2?

Flanker/Slot:
Strong Side
3) Washington: the only reason I can think of as to why he was hired is to block from the slot so Maroney can run off tackle between K. Brady(6'6, 280)and K. Wash(6'3, 220). Other ideas? He apparently is a sucky route runner.

Weak Side
4) Welker: was signed for his KR and PR skills. He is what he is and that is here at #4. Maybe Caldwell/Gaffney?

5) The loser of the Caldwell/Gaffney TC battle.

As for the rest...Jackson and Brown... too questionable.

Some roles are more easily defined.

1. stallworth
2. welker
3. caldwell
4. gaffney/washington
5. washington/gaffney

i think troy brown will retire, chad jackson will miss 1st part of season

i like gaffney more than i do washington, but i admit i havent seen much of washington(main reason is because he was never on the field with cinci)

 

[BradyManny]

I don't know if I'd call a torn ACL an injury problem.

Touche. (10 char)

 

[Pat_the_Patriot]

1. Stallworth - Deep threat... either catching the ball, or pulling off a CB and at least part of one of the FS

2. Caldwell - Good poss. receiver, works hard, runs good routes, has talent. (PROVED IT).

3. Welker - That's what they brought him in for...he is "the" slot receiver

4. Gaffney - Non RZ, he's the "other" man to catch over the middle

4a. Washington - RZ - jumps through the roof... "poor man's Randy Moss" and all of that.

5. Jackson (or PUP) - 1 year isn't enough time to figure this kid out... if he is as good as BB and the FO thought he was last year, he might be our #2 by the end of the year.

6. Brown - I know, I know... I'm just too much of a fan to see him go. Not having him on the sideline will hurt more than having McG down in CLE.

 

[JaredOfNazareth]

In a formation such as this:

[WR1.......(T)(G)(C)(G)(T)(TE)..........WR2]
[......WR3..........QB..............................]
[.......................................................]
[......................RB..............................]

We all agree that WR1=Stallworth; WR2=Caldwell/Gaffney
I believe WR3 is either Caldwell or Washington(health concern, I know) because they are big enough to pick up blocks on LB(maybe) at least they're bigger than Welker who would be a liability in that situation.

I say WR1 and WR2 are who they are because explosiveness off the line is required for guys to play wide, whereas in the slot you have a couple yards and are less likely to get bumped which is good for Welker.
Also, Welker can beat most LB in coverage down the field thats why he was good against the Pats.
I bet Welker plays more verse 3-4(Dallas, SD) and 4-3(Miami, NYG) teams and less verse cover 2(Indie).
I don't see Welker on the field in a 2 WR set.

 

[pats1]

In a formation such as this:

[WR1.......(T)(G)(C)(G)(T)(TE)..........WR2]
[......WR3..........QB..............................]
[.......................................................]
[......................RB..............................]

We all agree that WR1=Stallworth; WR2=Caldwell/Gaffney
I believe WR3 is either Caldwell or Washington(health concern, I know) because they are big enough to pick up blocks on LB(maybe) at least they're bigger than Welker who would be a liability in that situation.

I say WR1 and WR2 are who they are because explosiveness off the line is required for guys to play wide, whereas in the slot you have a couple yards and are less likely to get bumped which is good for Welker.
Also, Welker can beat most LB in coverage down the field thats why he was good against the Pats.
I bet Welker plays more verse 3-4(Dallas, SD) and 4-3(Miami, NYG) teams and less verse cover 2(Indie).
I don't see Welker on the field in a 2 WR set.

If WR3 is the slot, then Welker will be there.