Drafting WRs...thoughts?

[VJCPatriot]

I'm not overwhelmed with the list of UFA or RFAs:

2009 NFL Free Agents: WR

I like Roy Williams, but that doesn't seem too likely. Lee Evans is off the list now. Houshmandzadeh, I dunno, seems to be redundant to Welker.

Are you kidding? Much as I love Welker, TJ Houshmandzadeh is a much better wide receiver. The problem is that TJ would demand a Moss-like contract once he hits free agency. And he's not going to get that here.

Any WR core with Moss/Welker/Gaffney is in good shape. I don't think they need to look into a WR till the second day. The Pats need to do some better mining for prospects regardless. They haven't hit on 2nd day prospects in a while now. Though in the 2008 draft they seem to have hit on some decent late guys like Wilhite/Slater. And Guyton and BJGE look rather lucky UDFA pickups as well.

 

[BradyManny]

Are you kidding? Much as I love Welker, TJ Houshmandzadeh is a much better wide receiver. The problem is that TJ would demand a Moss-like contract once he hits free agency. And he's not going to get that here.

Any WR core with Moss/Welker/Gaffney is in good shape. I don't think they need to look into a WR till the second day. The Pats need to do some better mining for prospects regardless. They haven't hit on 2nd day prospects in a while now. Though in the 2008 draft they seem to have hit on some decent late guys like Wilhite/Slater. And Guyton and BJGE look rather lucky UDFA pickups as well.

"Much better"? Come on...

Welker 2007:
112 catches 1175 yards 10.5 ypc 8 TD 65 first downs


Houshmandzadeh 2007:
112 catches 1143 yards 10.2 ypc 12 TD 70 first downs

Define "much better". I would never in a million years think of replacing Welker in the slot with Houshmandzadeh - Brady is comfortable with Welker, and the production is nearly identical.

 

[dryheat44]

Are you kidding? Much as I love Welker, TJ Houshmandzadeh is a much better wide receiver. The problem is that TJ would demand a Moss-like contract once he hits free agency. And he's not going to get that here.

Any WR core with Moss/Welker/Gaffney is in good shape. I don't think they need to look into a WR till the second day. The Pats need to do some better mining for prospects regardless. They haven't hit on 2nd day prospects in a while now. Though in the 2008 draft they seem to have hit on some decent late guys like Wilhite/Slater. And Guyton and BJGE look rather lucky UDFA pickups as well.

It's really not an either/or as far as their position goes. There's no reason Housh could play the slot and make a killing in the 10-15 yard curl zones. In fact, he'd be a perfect compliment to Moss and Welker. And it would allow us to get rid of Watson and get a tight end who can block and has hands.

All that being said, it's not going to happen. That would be far too much money invested in the WRs.