5. Wes Welker – WR
Eyebrows were raised a little bit when the Patriots traded away a second-round draft pick to the Miami Dolphins in 2007 to acquire Wes Welker. It seemed like a lot for New England to give up to land someone in Welker who had just one receiving touchdown during his first three seasons in the NFL.
Well, it turned out to be one of the best trades the Patriots have ever made.
Welker made an immediate impact in New England, hauling in a league-leading 112 passes for 1,175 yards and eight touchdowns. He went on to finish with at least 110 catches, 1,100 yards, and three scores in five of his first six years with the Patriots.
During his tenure in New England, Welker emerged as a reliable target for quarterback Tom Brady. From 2008 to 2012, the veteran receiver was voted to five Pro Bowls and he earned two First-Team All-Pro selections.
Welker was only with the Patriots for six seasons, but his 672 catches in their uniform are still the most by any player in the franchise’s history. He also holds New England’s single-season all-time records for catches and receiving yards.
One has to imagine that Welker will eventually be inducted into the Patriots Hall of Fame for everything that he did for the team during his tenure.