From 2001-2018, here's a list of the Pats' players who had the best seasons, by year, other than Tom Brady. Just one man's opinion, but I'd love others as well.
2001 - Troy Brown. 101 rec, 1099 yds, 5 td
2002 - Ty Law. 4 int, 79 tackles, 1 FF, 1 FR, pro-bowl
2003 - Ty Law. 6 int, 73 tackles, all-pro
2004 - Corey Dillon. 1635 rush yds, 12 td, pro-bowl
2005 - Richard Seymour. 46 tackles, 4 sacks, 1 FF, 1 FR, all-pro
2006 - Asante Samuel. 10 int, 1 FF, 64 tackles
2007 - Randy Moss. 98 rec, 1493 yds, 23 td (tough to leave 112 rec, 1175 yd, 8 td Welker off)
2008 - Wes Welker. 111 rec, 1165 yds, 3 td, pro-bowl
2009 - Wes Welker. 123 rec, 1348 yds, 4 td, pro-bowl, all-pro
2010 - Jerod Mayo. 175 tackles (!), 1 FF, 3 FR, pro-bowl, all-pro
2011 - Rob Gronkowski. 90 rec, 1327 yds, 17 td, pro-bowl, all-pro
2012 - Wes Welker. 118 rec, 1354 yds, 6 td, pro-bowl (Wilfork was all-pro that year and was a beast...this might be a better pick than Welker but my word look at Welker's numbers)
2013 - Chandler Jones. 82 tackles, 11.5 sacks, 1 FF, 1 FR
2014 - Rob Gronkowski. 82 rec, 1124 yds, 12 td, pro-bowl, all-pro (Revis had a monster year too and was all-pro)
2015 - Chandler Jones. 44 tackles, 12.5 sacks, pro-bowl
2016 - LeGarrette Blount. 1161 rush yds, 18 td
2017 - Rob Gronkowski. 69 rec, 1084 yds, 8 td, pro-bowl, all-pro
2018 - Stephon Gilmore. 45 tackles, 2 int, 20 passes defended, pro-bowl, all-pro
Your mileage may vary, of course, and it's really difficult to evaluate offensive linemen. In these 18 seasons, I've got 10 offensive winners and 8 defensive winners. Pretty balanced. In 2012 I might go with Wilfork over Welker. Wilfork was completely dominant that year. It's just so hard to ignore 118 receptions and 1354 receiving yards though. Toss up. Went with Welker...upon further review, might go with Wilfork instead.
2001 - Troy Brown. 101 rec, 1099 yds, 5 td
2002 - Ty Law. 4 int, 79 tackles, 1 FF, 1 FR, pro-bowl
2003 - Ty Law. 6 int, 73 tackles, all-pro
2004 - Corey Dillon. 1635 rush yds, 12 td, pro-bowl
2005 - Richard Seymour. 46 tackles, 4 sacks, 1 FF, 1 FR, all-pro
2006 - Asante Samuel. 10 int, 1 FF, 64 tackles
2007 - Randy Moss. 98 rec, 1493 yds, 23 td (tough to leave 112 rec, 1175 yd, 8 td Welker off)
2008 - Wes Welker. 111 rec, 1165 yds, 3 td, pro-bowl
2009 - Wes Welker. 123 rec, 1348 yds, 4 td, pro-bowl, all-pro
2010 - Jerod Mayo. 175 tackles (!), 1 FF, 3 FR, pro-bowl, all-pro
2011 - Rob Gronkowski. 90 rec, 1327 yds, 17 td, pro-bowl, all-pro
2012 - Wes Welker. 118 rec, 1354 yds, 6 td, pro-bowl (Wilfork was all-pro that year and was a beast...this might be a better pick than Welker but my word look at Welker's numbers)
2013 - Chandler Jones. 82 tackles, 11.5 sacks, 1 FF, 1 FR
2014 - Rob Gronkowski. 82 rec, 1124 yds, 12 td, pro-bowl, all-pro (Revis had a monster year too and was all-pro)
2015 - Chandler Jones. 44 tackles, 12.5 sacks, pro-bowl
2016 - LeGarrette Blount. 1161 rush yds, 18 td
2017 - Rob Gronkowski. 69 rec, 1084 yds, 8 td, pro-bowl, all-pro
2018 - Stephon Gilmore. 45 tackles, 2 int, 20 passes defended, pro-bowl, all-pro
Your mileage may vary, of course, and it's really difficult to evaluate offensive linemen. In these 18 seasons, I've got 10 offensive winners and 8 defensive winners. Pretty balanced. In 2012 I might go with Wilfork over Welker. Wilfork was completely dominant that year. It's just so hard to ignore 118 receptions and 1354 receiving yards though. Toss up. Went with Welker...upon further review, might go with Wilfork instead.
