The Patriots and Wes Welker agree to a deal.

Newly acquired widereceiver, Wes Welker has agreed to a 5-year $18.1 million deal that includes a $9 million signing bonus with New England. Welker was acquired via trade yesterday from the Miami Dolphins for the Patriots 2007 2nd round and 7th round picks.

Welker is a fantastic return man, one of the best in the NFL in fact and last year he emerged as a viable pass catching threat as he caught 67 balls for 687 yards and 1 touchdown. Welker also added 1,064 kick return yards and another 378 on punt returns.

He will add depth to a depleted receiving core in New England that had to rely on guys such as Jabar Gaffney and Reche Caldwell to make their playoff run. Welker isn't the #1 option that the Patriots still seek but he is someone that can stretch the field, provide a deep threat that the Patriots don't currently have and take over returning duties for rookie Laurence Maroney so he can focus on becoming the premiere runningback in New England.