The NFL has seen some incredible wide receiver duos that have accomplished remarkable feats throughout its history, and while the New England Patriots might not have the best wideouts heading into the 2024 season, they’ve had some really strong pairings at the position.
The 33rd Team’s Marcus Mosher recently released a ranking of the best wide receiver duos of all time, and the Patriots were represented at No. 11 by Hall of Famer Randy Moss and five-time Pro Bowler Wes Welker.
Here’s what Mosher had to say about the duo:
“Randy Moss and Wes Welker only played three full seasons together, but those three seasons rival any duo in NFL history. From 2007 to 2009, this pairing combined for 8,301 receiving yards and 69 touchdowns.
While it’s true that Tom Brady was throwing the ball to these receivers, Brady missed all of the 2008 season with a torn ACL. Even in 2008, when Matt Cassel threw them the ball, they managed to rack up 2,173 yards and 15 touchdowns.
And, oh yeah, they went 16-0 in their first season together in 2007. During a three-year window, there might not have been a better duo than Moss and Welker. It’s just a shame that it didn’t last longer.”
Moss appeared again on Mosher’s list as part of the top duo in NFL history with the Minnesota Vikings alongside fellow Hall of Famer Cris Carter.
If Moss didn’t want out, New England might’ve been able to keep the pair together for a while longer. However, Moss was traded back to Minnesota for a third-round pick, and New England moved on from Welker in 2013, replacing him with Danny Amendola.
The former Marshall wideout didn’t do much else after he left New England, recording 47 catches for 688 yards and five touchdowns in his 28 games between the Vikings, Tennessee Titans and San Francisco 49ers. Welker went to the Denver Broncos and was a main target for Peyton Manning before wrapping up his career with the St. Louis Rams. In his 35 games after leaving the Patriots, he brought in 135 passes for 1,344 yards and 12 touchdowns.
It was great to see Moss get the reception he deserves from fans in his return to Gillette Stadium for Tom Brady’s Patriots Hall of Fame induction ceremony.
