2012 NFL Free Agents: Patriots Would Be Insane to Let Wes Welker Walk

Tom Brady may be the New England Patriots, but Wes Welker's value to this team cannot be undersold and that is why the team needs to lock him up this offseason. 

There is plenty to be happy about if you claim the Patriots as your own. New England will again head into an AFC Championship with Tom Brady at the helm. Nothing much changes and that is precisely why the Patriots are the epitome of success on a consistent level. 

Part of that is the play of Wes Welker, and that is not nearly lost on owner Robert Kraft. The Boston Herald's Ian R. Rapoport tweets exactly what is needed in regards to Welker, who is a free agent after this season. 

ESPN's James Walker explain the value that Welker has had on the Patriots this year. Much has been made of the mismatch presented by the Pats tight ends, but we lose sight of the real star that continues to be underrated.  

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But are people forgetting about Wes Welker? He led the NFL in receptions (122) by a wide margin this season and also led the Patriots in receiving yards (1,569). Welker quietly had six catches for 55 yards and a touchdown against Denver.

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Walker goes on to pit Welker as the real reason the Patriots could get over on a tough Ravens team this weekend in the AFC title game. 

Baltimore will no doubt key in on the stars of the season, Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez. That leaves Welker to be the sneaky weapon he has always been for the Patriots. 

There was a genuine fear that Welker's best days were well behind him after an ACL injury suffered early in 2010. 

He came back to give a solid performance in the 2010 season and was back to brilliance in 2011. The last knock on Welker has waned and it is time to guarantee the Patriots have one of their most consistent weapons going into next year. 

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