For the second straight year, the Denver Broncos have made a huge splash in free agency.
Last year, on almost the exact same day, Denver executive John Elway went out and landed Peyton Manning. This year, he found the Hall of Fame quarterback an all-star wide receiver.
The Broncos stole five-time Pro Bowl receiver Wes Welker away from the New England Patriots, giving Manning one of the best slot receivers in the history of the league.
Welker is an eight-year professional football player, being drafted by the Miami Dolphins before competing the last six seasons in New England.
Over that span with the Patriots and quarterback Tom Brady, he enjoyed five seasons of 111-plus catches and over 1,100 yards receiving, which is an NFL record.
He's been Brady's go-to guy for years, on the best-run football franchise in the NFL.
There's no better way to put it than saying signing Welker immediately puts him in the discussion as the top receiver in Broncos history; he's really that great.
What it means for the Broncos offense – which was the second-highest scoring unit last season – is that they'll undoubtedly be even more dangerous this fall.
Demaryius Thomas is the 6'3” 230-pound freak of nature, with Eric Decker – the sure-handed No. 2 man – opposite him; now Denver has Welker as well. Along with two tight ends that could each be starting for any other team in Jacob Tamme and Joel Dreessen.
Talk about an embarrassment of riches.
Welker is amazing in the middle of the field, fearlessly running routes that could get him killed by linebackers despite his small stature of 5'9” and 185 pounds. He's nearly unstoppable when he runs slants and drag routes, seemingly always finding a soft spot in the defensive zone and settling in when he's open.
At 31 years old, Welker's no spring chicken, but he's still in the prime of his career.
The Broncos signed the receiver for two years in a deal worth $12 million, which likely means the end of former slot man Brandon Stokley's career in the Mile High City. They could still re-sign Stokley for depth, but he'd have to take a low-paying deal.
This move comes on the heels of a wildly crazy first day of Free Agency for Elway and Denver, as the Broncos are building a Super Bowl caliber team before our very eyes.
They also signed 330-pound defensive tackle Terrance Knighton and starting corner Dominique Rogers-Cromartie along with linebacker Stewart Bradley Wednesday; it's clear Elway and the Broncos are hell-bent on winning a third franchise championship.
Rich Kurtzman is a freelance journalist. You can follow Rich on facebook or twitter for all your Denver Broncos news and opinion.
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