NFL Trade Rumors: New England Patriots Looking at Deion Branch

Jacksonville, Feb. 6, 2005, Deion Branch caught 11 Tom Brady passes for 133 yards against the Philadelphia Eagles as the Patriots won their third Super Bowl in four years.  The production tied the Super Bowl record for most grabs in a game.

That success shot down any haters labeling Branch a "one-hit wonder" after his 10 catches, "143 yards, plus an end zone visit" performance the year before in the big game.

His 21 receptions in those two games not only are third-most for a single player in Super Bowl history, but they put Branch's name on top for most catches in two consecutive title games.

The New England Patriots drafted Branch in the second round in 2002, the year after they upset the St. Louis Rams to win the first championship of their dynasty.

Playing four years with the Patriots, Branch never played a full season until 2006, his best year as a pro.  He recorded 78 catches for 998 yards and five touchdowns, but the career year was the beginning of the end for Branch in New England.

The Patriots offered Branch an extension, but he felt he was low-balled.  He demanded a trade and the Patriots eventually dealt him to the Seattle Seahawks for a first-round pick.

Branch hasn't put together a full season since.

Deion Branch is now 31 years old and after an injury-plagued career, he doesn't seem like the answer to any teams questions at the receiver position.

Wednesday morning, the Patriots dealt a disgruntled Randy Moss back to the Minnesota Vikings for a third- and seventh-round pick.

All of a sudden, the Patriots starting split ends in their often used three wide receiver set are Brandon Tate and Matthew Slater.

New England is reportedly interested in orchestrating another reunion and trading for Branch.  The question is how much of an upgrade, if any, would the 5'9", 193-pound, brittle Branch be to the rebuilding Patriots.

The Seahawks would most likely be willing to swap Branch for a late, say sixth-round draft pick.

The Patriots, though rebuilding, are 3-1 and are still a legit championship contender in a year where there is no team that stands out as a favorite.

Even though Moss wasn't having an amazing season, he still spread the field opening up holes for Wes Welker and Aaron Hernandez.

If the Patriots don't want their prolific offense to take a step back, they must add a deep threat wide receiver defenses will respect.

Randy Moss is expected to transform a struggling passing game in his Minnesota homecoming.  A Deion Branch return to New England won't bring the same level of improvement, but he still would be an upgrade over the unproven weapons the Patriots currently have on the outside.