Let me give you a real assessment...
Danny Amendola - his ONLY knock has been his health. Its certainly not his skill or talent level as for when he is healthy he has been regarded by many experts, former players and anaylsts as a star talent in this league. Shined even with an average at best quarterback in Sam Bradford. In my honest opinion, whenever his durability is not a liability, his ability goes beyond what Wes Welker could ever do. He is a quicker, faster, stronger, more athletic, more explosive and a more versatile version of Wes that can not only play the slot at an extremely high level but stretch the field as well which is something beyond Welker's capability. Additionally, he has some clutch-ness to him, shear determination and a great set of hands that will not let you down in big moments. His precise route running, smarts and playmaking ability I would take over Deion Branch, Troy Brown, David Givens or David Patten any day of the week from this Welker 2.5 upgrade BUT can he get healthy come January?........
Kenbrell Thompkins has a higher ceiling then any four of the guys during the 2003 or 2004 season, I'm sorry but he does. He has the "it" factor and doesn't seem to allow the game to be too big for him. I always thought that his playmaking ability can be special once he puts it all together, and I'm not the only one that feels that way. I seem some young Chad, I see a little Holt and I also see the makings of a superb route runner once his polishing is complete. He'll shake off those rookie cobwebs and knuckle head drops but all in all this guy is something to look out for in the near future. A receiver that looks to be a 1,000 yard regular that is something the championship group receivers were not. They were dependable, solid, and clutch but they weren't what Kenbrell Thompkins could potentially give you. Heck, he is on pace to break a rookie receiving record with Tom, so Deion and David Givens will soon have to step aside if he keeps his projected pace.
Aaron Dobson - built like an athletic freak and had great hands coming out of college but is slowly getting over the dropsies. Physically, and from an athletic standpoint he has top 10 talent but needs to develop. I love his ceiling in that it may not be a top 5 Julio Jones, or Larry Fitzgerald, but it could be close and not far behind. Think about this, did any of the 2004 guys fit that category?? We all love them but I think not, not even Deion Branch during his best years.. And who is to say that at 6'4 or 6'3 and over 200lbs with some speed that he won't be a top 5? Heck, we've seen what he could do with his hands from College, once he puts it all together, once again I'm sorry but I'll take that over the 4 guys from 03 and 04 any day of the week.
Julian Edelman - another guy that's only been a question mark in the health department. Physically, its not much this guy can't so except jump balls of course and for lack of straight line speed what he does have is deep speed. Deep speed is the ability to get behind the defenders while focusing and concentrating on the ball while they are loosing speed. He has that, as I've seen him a few times succeed in those plays (Jets last year, and New Orleans this game on the INT that Tom threw, beat the defenders but ball was underthrown slightly). But aside from that, is there really a route this guy can't run? Think about it, his stats so far this season are pretty good, and go back to the season where he replaced Wes Welker while he was hurt. The guy broke a rookie record and put up a pretty good season. He has also what, taken reverses and smoke routes for big gains like Wes did, very good at those shallow and crossing routes and even took a few handoffs for big gains. The guy is a swissarmy knife and one of my top players to watch. I'll have to take him over David Patten and DEFINITELY Bethel Johnson and Dedric Ward without question but I'll pause at a prime Deion Branch and Troy Brown.
Austin Collie - a poor man's Danny Amendola or Wes Welker but less of a slot guy and more of an any route guy. If you watched him in Peyton Manning's offense when he was on the field and not suffering from concussions then you CANNOT question his ability or talent. Incredibly smart guy that again, outside of healthy can get open on anybody and often. But like I said, health is the only issue. Now if he can stay on the field, then there is no question I would take his ability and explosiveness over David Patten, and David Givens just solely based off how he broke ankles running routes for Peyton Manning and some of the amazing catches he has made. Reggie Wayne has taught him well... If he can stay on the field, then San Francisco made a big mistake...
Rob Gronkowski - self explanatory as in when healthy he is the best offensive weapon in the NFL over YES Jimmy Graham, THE BEST is GRONK when he is healthy... which you don't even need Christian Fauria, Daniel Graham or Ben Watson on the field with a guy like this. I'm talking potentially the greatest all around tightend in the history of the NFL. But again, health, health, and health is the question mark.
Shane Vereen is an upgrade over Kevin Faulk, who did some great things years back but Vereen's ceiling for someone who is already extremely talented and effective in the offense is incredible. He catches passes as though he is a no-***** wide receiver, as though it was his natural position AND he can run the ball well. A rare talent that's hard to find, that would have done even more damage in 03 and 04..
Brandon Bolden - all purpose back that is a solid receive and is a good runner. Immediate upgrade over Patrick Pass.
Looks like the ONLY theme is health and development. I can say this, that if Aaron Dobson's development speeds up and Kenbrell stays on the path he is on.. and that also Rob Gronkowski, Danny Amendola, Shane Vereen, Julian Edelman, and Austin Collie get healthy/or stay healthy and stay on the field by December and January time then this offense will be unstoppable and I mean it.
wilfork, ridley, dillon and mayo have nothing to do with the receivers. obviously the 2004 team as a whole was better - they won a championship, not to mention 21 games in a row going back to 03'.
