Most teams, the answer is Welker - 100+ catches how many seasons in a row? Edelman has done it once, hasn't been on the field much most years, etc. I really like Edelman as a player and hope we pay to retain him, but that's not how most of the NFL is going to view him.
If Welker pulled that dinky contract after his 2007-2012 seasons, why are we worried that Edelman is going to be offered much more after one solid year?
Edelman has great hands. I'd say better than Welker - much better. I'd also say that he is more than a slot. This year with the lack of receivers on the field, he was still getting open even with him being focused on. When we get more receivers on the field (healthy), he'll show even more. Anybody that had to cover him would want him.
I don't think he'll get the kind of offers that we can't compete with. I think most teams see him as an anomaly. Remember that it only talkes one.....
There will be more than few WR on the free agent market. Number one will most likely be Eric Decker. Texan and Colts would seem to be the main players, but I think Decker has been close enough to the ring not sign with an also ran. Denver will not be able to sign him unless they can free up some cash. Think Manning would give up any of his $23M?? He's never restructured a contract in his career. He's only got a couple hundred million in the bank....why should he not be the highest paid QB in the NFL??
Overpay Edelman? How much is overpaying. Would he stay with NE for 3 years $15M? Or does he want the biggest contract he can get even if it's with the Jaguars? My guess is that the Pats offer him a contract similar to Amendola's and force Amendola to restructure his.....or cut him loose.