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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ANAHEIM, CA – NOVEMBER 16: Stanley Morgan #86 of the New England Patriots runs with the ball against the Los Angeles Rams during an NFL football game November 16, 1986 at Anaheim Stadium in Anaheim, California. Morgan played for the Patriots from 1977-89. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images) /

4. WR Stanley Morgan

Wide receivers Wes Welker, Julian Edelman and Troy Brown all have more receptions with the team. But only tight end Rob Gronkowski has more TD grabs with the franchise. And no player in New England Patriots’ history has gained more receiving yards than four-time Pro Bowler Stanley Morgan.

The 25th-overall pick in the 1977 draft from the University of Tennessee played 13 seasons with the club before spending his final year in the NFL with the then-AFC East rival Indianapolis Colts.

Early in his career, the former Volunteer saw duties as a wideout and as a punt returner. In 13 seasons with the Pats, he quietly put up impressive numbers and sometimes gets lost a bit when it comes to the great receivers of his era. His resume in New England added up to 534 receptions, good for an impressive 10,352 yards and an imposing 19.4 yards per catch.

Morgan totaled 67 touchdown grabs, second only to Gronkowski (79) in team annals.

The unsung performer was part of four playoff teams with the franchise, including the 1985 club that reached Super Bowl XX after becoming the first club in NFL history to win three road playoff games in the same postseason.

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