New England spent last offseason stockpiling veteran free agent defensive lineman. In 2012, the Patriots are taking the same approach to building their wide receiver corps.
So far, New England has signed Gaffney, Donte' Stallworth, Brandon Lloyd and Anthony Gonzalez. With the exception of Gonzalez, all have multiple seasons of experience in Josh McDaniels' offense. Both Stallworth and Gaffney were part of New England's record breaking 2007 season under McDaniels.
They will join perennial Pro Bowler Wes Welker, former perennial Pro Bowler Chad Ochocinco, longtime Patriot Deion Branch, versatile youngsters Julian Edelman and Matthew Slater and 2012 seventh-round pick Jeremy Ebert on the roster.
Almost as surprising as the sheer number of talented players at the position is the lack of diversity between them. None of the nine wideouts are listed as taller than 6-foot-2 or heavier than 204 pounds. There are no true deep threats either, and most would fall in the category of possession slot receivers.
The current Patriots receivers have a combined 3,140 receptions, 41,796 yards, 235 TDs and 12 Pro Bowls in their careers. Six of the top 35 career active leaders in receiving yards are on New England's roster.
A hefty chunk of those receptions, yards and TDs come from second-year Patriot Ochocinco, as do six of the Pro Bowls. Once one of the most boisterous - and productive - receivers in the NFL, Ochocinco now finds himself on the roster bubble after a humbling 2011 season in New England in which he only had 15 catches and one touchdown. Even after taking a pay cut, No. 85 might find himself without a spot on the team.
Although the Patriots run many different formations and packages, there is a .01 percent chance that New England carries nine receivers on the 53-man regular season roster, especially with tight ends Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez having large roles.
In all likelihood, aside from Welker, who was franchise-tagged this offseason, and perhaps Lloyd, no receiver is guaranteed a roster spot. Edelman and Slater have been solid contributors on special teams, and even occasionally on defense, for New England and have the added advantage of being young and inexpensive. Ebert probably won't be cut before his rookie season or might be a practice squad candidate.
That leaves Branch, Ochocinco, Gaffney, Gonzalez and Stallworth, a group that averages over nine years of NFL experience. The biggest uphill battles to make the roster are likely Ochocinco and the injury-riddled Gonzalez.
Branch, Stallworth and Gaffney have extensive experience in the Patriots' system and that may give them a leg up on earning a roster spot. Those three also happen to be the only three receivers still active in the NFL from the 2002 draft.
Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, who has 3,397 completions, 39,979 yards, 300 touchdown passes and seven Pro Bowls in his illustrious, 12-year career, is assured to have more than a few targets he's familiar with. It will be interesting to see which of them make it through camp and try to help the Patriots reach a second straight Super Bowl.
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