Patriots 2007 WR Competition Options

[BigSoxFan]

I think one of the interesting stories of training camp will be to see how the Pats' WR situation shakes out, as they enter training camp with a host of talent at the position. Here are the receivers that are currently under the Pats' control:

1. Randy Moss - Acquired in trade with Oakland in the offseason. Likely #1 option heading into the season. Not going anywhere unless he intentionally breaks Brady's arm.

2. Donte Stallworth - Signed deal with Pats in offseason but contract is structured so that it's essentially a one year deal. Had a good start in 2006 but was, once again, bothered by leg injuries. If healthy, he provides the Pats with another dangerous deep threat. Like Moss, he's not going anywhere.

3. Wes Welker - Acquired in trade with Miami and given long-term contract. Seen as a perfect slot receiver to complement Moss and Stallworth's deep routes. He's not going anywhere.

4. Kelley Washington - Signed deal with Pats in offseason after 4 seasons with Cincinnati. At 27, entering his prime but so far his talent has far exceeded his actual production. Like Donte Stallworth, his deal could essentially end up being a one year arrangement. Probably not going anywhere.

5. Reche Caldwell - Second year on the team after being the Pats' best WR from their 2006 squad (not saying much). Had a solid season but also had some critical drops in the AFC Championship Game. Given the rapport he's developed with Brady, I'd be surprised if Belichick doesn't keep him around. Probably not going anywhere.

6. Jabar Gaffney - Second year on the team after being picked up during the middle of last season. Performed very well in the playoffs but may not be able to find much playing time given the talent above him. Will be fighting for his Patriots life during training camp.

7. Chad Jackson - Second year on team after being picked in the 2nd round. Last year, showed some potential but also showed some Bethel Johnson-esque immaturity. Partially tore his acl in the playoffs, an injury he is still recovering from. A good candidate for the regular season PUP list, which would sideline him for the first 6 games of the season. After which, the team would have a couple of weeks to decide if he's able to contribute to the club. If not, he could be IR'd and lost for the season. Right now, he's a bit of a question mark.

8. Troy Brown - Brought back for his 34th season with the Patriots. The consummate pro and one of the most popular Patriots in franchise history. Hard to imagine that he doesn't make the squad. Provides the team with depth in the slot position if Wes Welker goes down. I think he stays for what could be his final season.

Others - Bam Childress, Kelvin Kight, C.J. Jones: Barring injuries or trades, these guys will have virtually no chance of making the team.

Thus, here is my guess for how the WR corp will shake out:

Active Roster
Randy Moss
Donte Stallworth
Wes Welker
Kelley Washington
Reche Caldwell
Troy Brown

PUP
Chad Jackson

Cut
Jabar Gaffney
Bam Childress
Kelvin Kight
C.J. Jones

[bsj]

I like your list although I personally would prefer Gaffney over Caldwell.

[Corsi Combover]

Gaffney over Caldwell. Trade Caldwell for a 6th rounder or something.

[Guest_mannytizzletek_*]

Gaffney and Troy, both, over DITH

[wasabisam]

4. Kelley Washington - Signed deal with Pats in offseason after 4 seasons with Cincinnati. At 27, entering his prime but so far his talent has far exceeded his actual production. Like Donte Stallworth, his deal could essentially end up being a one year arrangement. Probably not going anywhere.

5. Reche Caldwell - Second year on the team after being the Pats' best WR from their 2006 squad (not saying much). Had a solid season but also had some critical drops in the AFC Championship Game. Given the rapport he's developed with Brady, I'd be surprised if Belichick doesn't keep him around. Probably not going anywhere.

6. Jabar Gaffney - Second year on the team after being picked up during the middle of last season. Performed very well in the playoffs but may not be able to find much playing time given the talent above him. Will be fighting for his Patriots life during training camp.

7. Chad Jackson - Second year on team after being picked in the 2nd round. Last year, showed some potential but also showed some Bethel Johnson-esque immaturity. Partially tore his acl in the playoffs, an injury he is still recovering from. A good candidate for the regular season PUP list, which would sideline him for the first 6 games of the season. After which, the team would have a couple of weeks to decide if he's able to contribute to the club. If not, he could be IR'd and lost for the season. Right now, he's a bit of a question mark.

Some thoughts:

Given the reliable production of Moss and Welker, I see them being the cornerstones going forward after this season. While we can hope that Stallworth remains injury free and effective, we shouldn't expect it.

Stallworth, Washington, Cladwell and, to a lesser extent, Gaffney will determine if this year's group of receivers is excellent or merely pretty good. By the way, Washington has only caught 72 passes in 44 games (6 starts) in four years. I don't think we would have signed him if we knew we were going to get Moss. Personally, I think Caldwell would make a better 4th receiver.

I expect a receiver to be traded at the start of the regular season when organizations better understand the composition of their respective squads.

Looking past this upcomming season, the future, I hope, is Jackson. This is mostly due to a desire to see home-grown guys play vital roles on the team, however, he legitimately has a lot of upside.

[Reverend]

Is CJ going to learn the playbook?

That would be useful.

[Maalox]

I expect Caldwell or Stallworth to be moved.

[BigSoxFan]

I expect Caldwell or Stallworth to be moved.

Stallworth? He's pretty much a lock to make the team and is the only other deep threat on the team other than Moss. I think it'll come down between Caldwell and Gaffney.

[QUNate]

Caldwell should probably make the team. He wasn't a very good number 1 receiver and the drop was terrible but he is a very good number four guy.

[Maalox]

Stallworth? He's pretty much a lock to make the team and is the only other deep threat on the team other than Moss. I think it'll come down between Caldwell and Gaffney.

All I said is that I expect Caldwell or Stallworth to be moved. I'm not suggesting that they would be in competition for the same job, nor that the one who isn't moved would or would not make the team.

[Commander Shears]

I cannot imagine that the Patriots would ever let Troy Brown and Chad Jackson be the only returning receivers after what we saw early on last year (granted the '06 batch was a lot less talented than this year's). Caldwell & Gaffney have issues, but at least they have a head start in the offense, and could help buy the new guys some time if need be.

If Washington somehow pans out (I just don't see it), they could hide him on the PUP while making sure that they don't need Gaffney/Caldwell. Even if KW has higher 'upside', I still want holdovers from last year. Especially during the first few weeks.

[Commander Shears]

I expect Caldwell or Stallworth to be moved.

Really? I think Stallworth has a very real shot of not only being better than Moss, but being the best all-around receiver that Brady has ever had.

[dividius]

According to Pro Football Weekly, Caldwell, Gaffney and Washington are fighting for 1 or 2 spots, depending on whether the team keeps 5 or 6 WR's. Makes sense, since the sure bets to make the roster seem to be Moss, Brown, Welker and Stallworth. Then again, this is the Patriots we're talking about. If Moss and Stallworth are both gone before the end of training camp, I don't think I would be very surprised. After saying for months, "There is no way this team would trade for Moss," what did they do? I've learned to expect the unexpected from them, as I'm sure most of you have.

As for trade possibilities, Stallworth would probably have the most trade value, mostly due to Moss' baggage. N.O. got an average LB (Mark Simoneau) and a 4th rounder for him last year, so the Pats should be able to get at least a 4th rounder back for him.

As a side note, I couldn't help but notice this quote from Joe Horn after Stallworth was traded during last year's Training Camp:

"I felt a little bad about Donte' being traded because I felt it was a little my fault I didn't instill more professionalism in him," Horn told AP. "If they thought he had more professionalism, he'd still be here now."

Didn't remember hearing that one before. Maybe my ear just isn't as close to the ground as it used to be. The Horn quote can be found here.

Edit: I'm assuming Jackson will be on IR for the season. At the very least, he'll be on PUP through week 6, then they'll make a decision with him...probably to put him on IR.

This post has been edited by dividius: Jul 25 2007, 10:38 PM

[BigSoxFan]

I believe Stallworth had a little Chad Jackson/Bethel Johnson in him while he was in New Orleans. He seems to have matured since then. I also think he's a near-lock for the roster because he's the only other deep threat we have other than Moss.

[dividius]

I believe Stallworth had a little Chad Jackson/Bethel Johnson in him while he was in New Orleans. He seems to have matured since then. I also think he's a near-lock for the roster because he's the only other deep threat we have other than Moss.

Not to single you out, since others are saying the same thing, but I don't get this logic that Stallworth and Moss are locks to make the team just because they're fast. I don't care how fast they are; if they aren't practicing hard or working hard in the weight room, they will be gone. I would love to have 2 dynamic deep threats like them on the roster as much as everybody else, but if the Pats feel like they aren't putting in the effort other guys are, I don't think they'll hesitate to cut them loose.

[MannysDestinatio...]

Not to single you out, since others are saying the same thing, but I don't get this logic that Stallworth and Moss are locks to make the team just because they're fast. I don't care how fast they are; if they aren't practicing hard or working hard in the weight room, they will be gone. I would love to have 2 dynamic deep threats like them on the roster as much as everybody else, but if the Pats feel like they aren't putting in the effort other guys are, I don't think they'll hesitate to cut them loose.

There is absolutely no chance that Stallworth and Moss don't "make" the team and are cut. They are both veteran receivers with very impressive resumes. Saying that Moss doesn't practice or work hard is completely unfounded based on all reports out of the Pats organization, evidenced by the fact that he originally had prior commitments that would have caused him to miss mini-camp sessions but rescheduled everything to start "learning the system", amongst other reports. Sure, there were reports of him "dogging" it last season with Oakland, but I would contend it was the environment. Not to mention the fact that all of his former teammates have commended his work ethic - this isn't Terrel Owens we're talking about here. Stallworth may have had a few sporadic reports of immaturity in his NO days, but, again, his production and skills speak for themselves.

There's a remote (phenomenally remote in my opinion) chance that Stallworth could be traded, but when you look at the roster up and down the only real hole on the team is at CB, and I can't see Stallworth netting a top-flight CB from anyone this season. Remember that part of the reason for the plethora of WR is to appease, and complement, Brady from the dearth of options last year.

[BigSoxFan]

Not to single you out, since others are saying the same thing, but I don't get this logic that Stallworth and Moss are locks to make the team just because they're fast. I don't care how fast they are; if they aren't practicing hard or working hard in the weight room, they will be gone. I would love to have 2 dynamic deep threats like them on the roster as much as everybody else, but if the Pats feel like they aren't putting in the effort other guys are, I don't think they'll hesitate to cut them loose.

Moss and Stallworth are both top 25 receivers in the league. They're both near-locks to make the team unless they do something incredibly stupid. Obviously you never say never but I think it'll come down to the Caldwell/Gaffney/Washington group. One of those guys likely won't wear a Pats uniform when the regular season starts.

[ClutchBOS]

I personally don't see Troy Brown as a lock. I mean he can play CB, KR, PR and WR, but he's not very good at any of them at his age. I love Troy Brown, but he's so old and doesn't have much upside compared to 3-4 years ago. Basically I think the locks are:
#1 Randy Moss
#2 Dante Stallworth
#3 Wes Welker

I think Caldwell will make the roster, but right now its a battle with Gaffney/Washington/Caldwell/Troy Brown. We should have at least 5 WR's with Jackson on the PUP. Im personally rooting for:
(#4 Reche Caldwell)
(#5 Troy Brown)
PUP: Chad Jackson

[soxfan121]

1. Kelly Washington's ability to make this team has nothing to do with how well he plays WR. He's going to need to be one of the Top 2 gunners on ST; if he does that, he's on the team as the 6th WR (who might see 25 offensive snaps all season, if everyone else stays healthy). Supposedly, Washington is good on ST. And he'd take the spot of an Antwan Spann or Willie Andrews on the 45 man gameday roster.

2. Wes Welker will lead this team in catches and yards. He'll be followed by Ben Watson. Moss & Stallworth will "stretch the field" for these two, while contributing a very high catch/TD ratio. If everything clicks right with how I think they'll play offense this season, Moss/Stallworth should combine for about 50 catches, 1200 yards and 20+ touchdowns.

3. Reche Caldwell is undeservedly maligned in this thread; he was unspectacular and he had a memorably horrible AFC Championship Game. He's going to make the team and he'll probably equal or exceed Stallworth's total of offensive snaps.

Also, don't forget that Welker - as the primary KR/PR - won't be on the field for most 1st down plays. I predict that will be Moss & Caldwell (who's a far better blocker than either Moss or Stallworth).

4. Troy Brown is the 5th WR; he provides stability and a 3rd down & short presence.

5. Depth chart, in total number of projected snaps taken:
1. Welker
2. Moss
3. Stallworth
4. Caldwell
5. Brown
6. Washington

6. On first downs, I expect to see lots of 2 TE (Watson & Brady) /2 WR (Moss & Caldwell) / 1RB (Maroney) sets
On second down & long, I expect 1 TE (Watson) / 3 WR (Moss-Stallworth-Welker) / 1 RB (Maroney)
On second & short, I expect 1 TE (Watson) / 3 WR (Moss-Caldwell-Welker) / 1 RB (Maroney)
On third & long. I'd expect 1 TE (Watson or Thomas) / 3 WR (Moss-Stallworth-Welker) / 1 RB (Faulk)
On thrid & short, I'd expect 2 TE (Watson & Thomas) / 2 WR (Welker-Moss) / 1 RB (Faulk)
Goalines, I'd expect 3 TE (Watson, Thomas & Brady - with Watson in the slot) / 1 WR (Moss) / 1 RB (Maroney)
On 4th down, depending on yardage, it's either the 4 WR/1 TE spread or the 5 WR with Troy Brown as the fifth guy

[Maalox]

Really? I think Stallworth has a very real shot of not only being better than Moss, but being the best all-around receiver that Brady has ever had.

Oh, I can see that too. He's potentially great, and that's a great reason to keep him. But with Moss on the roster, it's also a great reason why he'd be attractive trade fodder.

I just think they're going to move someone. Not someone they'd otherwise have to cut, but someone who will bring a good player at another need position (probably defense). I can't see Moss or Welker being the ones to go.