Wes Welker
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Ever since wide receiver Wes Welker joined the New England Patriots and became the favorite target of Tom Brady, you can basically figure that Welker will be either leading or in the top two or three wide receivers in pass receptions and passing yards gained. He's one of the most consistent players year in and year out.
For that consistency, Welker should be rewarded with a big contract. As of now, he's the No. 1 receiver again this year, leading in both receptions and yardage.
Welker joined the Patriots five years ago, and back then, the contract was for $18.5 million. Times have changed, and Welker will be seeing a huge bump in his pay.
This year, Welker is earning only $2.5 million. He's 30 years old and is two years removed from his major knee injury. ESPN Business Analyst Andrew Brandt speculated that Welker could see an offer around what Santonio Holmes got this year, (five-year, $45.25 million deal with $24 million guaranteed).
For his production, his consistency and being a guy that remains professional, Welker should see a deal in the $8 to $9 million range per year. How many years he's offered will be the result of his age and concerns over the knee.
My prediction: Offers will come in at the $8 million range, but Welker will earn more than that.