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WR snapshot

(Third in a series of position snapshots leading into the start of Patriots training camp, July 28.)

Wide Receivers

STARTERS: Deion Branch (5th year)

RESERVES: Troy Brown (14th year), Reche Caldwell (5th year), Chad Jackson (rookie), Bam Childress (1st year*), Erik Davis (rookie), Michael McGrew (2nd year), Rich Musinski (1st year*), Matt Shelton (rookie), Zuriel Smith (2nd year), John Stone (2nd year)

2005 WIDE RECEIVERS: Branch, Brown, Childress (1 game), David Givens, Tim Dwight, Andre’ Davis, Bethel Johnson

2006 ROSTER LOCKS: Branch, Brown, Caldwell, Jackson

OUTLOOK: This group has undergone the most significant turnover of any non-specialist position on the roster, with four of last year’s top six receivers not back. The main question is whether Deion Branch and the Patriots can reach an agreement that will bring Branch to training camp. Branch, who is the elite talent of this group, skipped the team’s mandatory minicamp in June due to his contract situation. After Branch, the trio of Brown, Caldwell and Jackson make up the 2-3-4 spots on the depth chart, in no particular order at this time. Of the remaining players, Childress and Stone would project to fight for a potential No. 5 receiver spot due to their added value on special teams. The rest of the players (Davis, McGrew, Musinski, Shelton, Smith) are longer shots. If there are no changes with the personnel at this position throughout training camp, it’s conceivable the Patriots could keep four receivers on the 53-man roster, and make up for that smaller number by keeping four tight ends (one more than 2005) while possibly using speedy tight end Benjamin Watson as a wide receiver at times.

QUOTE OF NOTE: “I think it’s important to be here, but at the same time, he’s working out and ready to go. I remember two years ago, he was hurt for half the year, after that Arizona game. He came back, against KC, and had [six] catches. So if there’s one guy who can just step on the field and play, it’s him. He’s probably our best player on offense.” –- Tom Brady on his level of concern regarding the absence of receiver Deion Branch (at the Patriots’ Charitable Golf Tournament, June 12, 2006).

(* Childress is designated a first-year player after appearing in just one game in 2005, meaning he wasn't credited with an accrued season toward free agency. Musinski, who didn't appear in any 2005 regular-season games, is in a similar situation.)