2007 Previews: New England Patriots

Note: This is a team-by-team look previewing the 2007 season. These are my official thoughts on how I think things will play out.

Last year: 6-10 (12-4, AFC East champs)

Best additions: Randy Moss (WR, Raiders) and Adalius Thomas (LB, Ravens)

Key personnel loss: Cory Dillon (RB, retired)

2007 outlook: With an entirely new WR corp that includes the embattled Moss, nothing short of a Super Bowl will appear satisfactory in New England. And while Laurence Maroney will be on his own in the backfield with the retirement of Dillon, this offense seems loaded enough to make another deep playoff run at the least. The Patriots have to be considered a favorite to win the AFC as long as they have Tom Brady and he will probably have the best WR corp he's ever had.

A solid defensive team gets better with the addition of Thomas, but the continued holdout of Asante Samuel could leave a thin secondary exposed. After being tagged a franchise player, Samuel said he will sit out the first 10 games after he failed to reach a long term agreement with NE which means he may be ineffective for longer than that as he has to get back into playing shape once he shows up. Still, NE has enough weapons on defense to be able to hide a deficiency in the secondary.

Key to success: The Patriots went out and spent some serious money to upgrade positions they thought were week. If those new players struggle to fit into NE's mold, a promising season could get ugly in a hurry. They are likely to win the AFC East again regardless of what happens but their playoff run could be short if there are too many uncertainties late in the season.

Against Washington: The Patriots will host the Skins on Oct. 28, two week before the Patriots bye week and one week before NE faces Peyton Manning and the Colts, meaning Washington could potentially steal a game if the Skins can catch NE looking ahead a week.

Fantasy sleeper: Wes Welker. 1 of 4 WR's added this offseason, Welker could explode as the go-to guy when Moss and Dante Stallworth draw extra attention. Welker could lead the Patriots in receptions as he will likely fill a role similar to the one Art Monk filled in his days with the Posse, possession and outlet receiver. Welker could be a potential steal in the later rounds, provided he can turn his open looks underneath into long receptions and TD's.