Veteran Free Agent Fits – Wes Welker
Despite his thoughts on retiring, Wes Welker is still looking to play football. The multiple concussions Welker suffered in 2014 are obviously a red flag, but if he is cleared and can stay healthy, he’s still an excellent receiver. It might be smart for a team to move the smaller receiver out of the slot to avoid so many across the middle hits he is used to dealing with. Even after the receiver heavy draft, many are still looking for options heading into camp. Could a veteran like Welker be the difference for a team needing receiving depth?
2014 Stats: 49 rec, 464 yds, 2 TD
Cleveland Browns
The Browns receiving corps is made up of the bottom scrapping of the barrel. Their starting wide receivers are Dwayne Bowe (cut by the Chiefs) and 2014 UDFA Taylor Gabriel, who did turn some heads during a couple of games last season. After that its Brian Hartline; Andrew Hawkins; and 4th round pick Vince Mayle, a soft-handed receiver who could surprise people. Signing Welker’s a shot in the dark for Cleveland, but its better than what they have; which is essentially nothing.
Kansas City Chiefs
The Chiefs are another wide receiver hungry team needing help. While Andy Reid did reunite himself with Jeremy Maclin, the group of DeAnthony Thomas, Jason Avant and Chris Conley is less than exciting. Andy Reid loves giving guys a chance to prove the world its wrong, giving Welker a stage to succeed in Kansas City.
Dallas Cowboys
The Dez Bryant situation is the main reason Jerry Jones should be taking a look at Welker. Outside of Bryant, the team has Cole Beasley and Terrence Williams, both of whom are serviceable receivers. However, more than half of the Cowboys receiving depth chart was a UDFA. They can’t rely on the unproven talent of those players over the long-term. The bigger issue is, how long can they hold the team up after loosing their run game, which protected Romo all season. The Cowboys are known for taking risk; just look at Greg Hardy, La’el Collins, and Randy Gregory. A guy like Wes Welker, if healthy, would be a great slot option for the Cowboys if they need to move pieces around at the beginning of the season.
New England Patriots
Recently, Welker openly expressed interest in returning to New England. Unfortunately, the interest appears to be one-way.
Nov 24, 2013; Foxborough, MA, USA; Denver Broncos wide receiver Wes Welker (83) and New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft embrace before the start of the game at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports
The Patriots seem to be content with Julian Edelman, Brandon LaFell and Danny Amendola catching passes from Brady and Garoppolo. None the less, Robert Kraft always proves to be loyal to his players. Perhaps it could happen, but I don’t see the strong connection between the two after Welker left for Denver.
Miami Dolphins
The Dolphins were one of the few teams in free agency that took a serious look at Welker. Those interests may now be diminished with the addition of DeVante Parker during the draft. Still, getting a slot receiver to back-up Jarvis Landry would be a smart move for Joe Philbin and the rest of the Dolphins brass.