10 greatest New England Patriots of all time

FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS - JANUARY 04: A detail as Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots communicates a play at the line of scrimmage in the AFC Wild Card Playoff game against the Tennessee Titans at Gillette Stadium on January 04, 2020 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images) /

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FOXBORO, MA – JANUARY 20: Wes Welker #83 of the New England Patriots catches a touchdown pass in the second quarter against Corey Graham #24 of the Baltimore Ravens during the 2013 AFC Championship game at Gillette Stadium on January 20, 2013 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images) /

The NFL’s reigning dynasty has had its share of outstanding players.

The Boston Patriots were a charter member of the American Football League and then eventually became the New England Patriots in the early 1970s. The franchise had some moderate success early on but never won a league title in the AFL and for the most parts, the lows outweighed the highs.

Then Bill Belichick was named the team’s head coach in 2000 and quarterback Tom Brady came off the bench in Week 2 of 2001 when Drew Bledsoe was injured. The club has posted 19 consecutive winning seasons and counting, reaching the Super Bowl nine times and hoisting six Lombardi Trophies. Of course, thing may be a little different this year now that Brady is a member of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

In any case, the Patriots have had many outstanding players. So which 10 performers made the list?

10. WR Wes Welker

He was originally a member of the AFC East rival Miami Dolphins but would wind up in New England via trade. And after only six seasons with the franchise, he remains the New England Patriots’ all-time leader in career receptions.

From 2007-12, Wes Welker pulled down 672 throws, good for 7,459 yards and 37 touchdowns. The former undrafted from Texas Tech University totaled 112, 111, 123, 86, 122 and 1118 catches, respectively, during his stay in Foxborough.

The versatile performer also did his share on punt and kickoff returns. Welker was a member of two Super Bowl teams but both wound up resulting in losses to the Giants. And courtesy of Tom Brady in 2011 vs. the Dolphins, he’s one of only 13 players in NFL history to record a 99-year receptions.

Welker was named to five straight Pro Bowls from 2008-12 and earned All-Pro honors in 2009 and ’11.

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