New England Patriots: Taylor Price Will See an Increased Role in 2011

The New England Patriots' 2010 third-round selection was wide receiver Taylor Price out of Ohio. Price may have a lot of potential, but was virtually irrelevant in 2010 as he only played in one game for the Patriots. 

In most eyes, including fellow wide receiver Wes Welker, Price has major upside and is set up to have a breakout 2011 season. 

“Oh yeah. Those guys [Price and Brandon Tate] have a lot of ability. They’re still young," Welker said at his Old Spice youth football camp this past weekend. 

Price was a rather unknown prospect entering the 2010 draft as he played for Ohio in the small Mid-American conference. However, Price put up solid numbers in Athens despite playing in such a run heavy offense. 

During Price's four years at Ohio, he snagged 149 passes for a total of 2,019 yards while scoring 14 touchdowns.

Entering 2011, Price may be the missing piece to New England's receiving corps. 

Price has a nice combination of speed, height, and physicality as he stands in at 6'0" tall and weights 205 lbs.—definitely much larger than the team's two starting wide receivers Wes Welker and Deion Branch. 

2010 was essentially a red-shirt season for Price, as he spent the majority of the season off the game field. However, when his number was called upon in the season finale against the Miami Dolphins, he put up some big-time numbers—Price reeled in three balls for 41 yards. 

After a year in New England's complex offensive system, Price should feel much comfortable entering his second year in the league. Not to mention, Price had an entire season to develop some-sort of chemistry with the league MVP Tom Brady. 

Price's rookie season was definitely a developmental one, but expect 2011 to display a much increased role of Price—and he will have all the chances to flourish in New England's pass-first offense. 

This article was first seen at PatriotsPlus.net. Be sure to follow Tony Santorsa on Twitter @   TonySantorsa.