Pros and Cons of signing Dwayne Bowe

After his breakout season in 2008, WR Dwayne Bowe put his name on the map. His 2010 and 2011 campaigns also proved him as a top notch receiver. The Patriots certainly need an explosive threat that Bowe could provide. Last season the Chiefs placed the franchise tag on him and he earned $9.5 million. He is now a free agent and many believe that the Chiefs will not franchise tag him again. The question naturally rises, would the Patriots try to sign him? Let's take a look at the pros and cons.

PROS
- Explosive
- Always a threat to make a big play
- Can stretch the field vertically
- Over 1,000 yards receiving in 3 of his 6 NFL seasons (could have possibly gotten it last year but he was injured)
- Pro Bowl in 2010
- Great hands and speed
- Reels in a solid amount of receptions
- VERY good in the red zone
- At 6'2", he has a solid height and build for a WR
- Had amazing production with sub-par quarterbacks in Brady Quinn and Matt Cassell

CONS
- Will want a long-term deal
- Will also want lots of $$$
- Signing him will most likely mean Wes Welker is gone
- We already have great red zone receivers with Hernandez and Gronk especially
- Has held out of camp twice with the Chiefs (rookie season and last season)
- Although it wasn't serious, he is coming off injury
-Again, he will want big $$$$$$

Will the Patriots break the bank on Dwayne Bowe? Probably not. I think there's a much greater chance of them signing Welker to a long-term deal or draft a receiver in the first round than pursue Bowe. Yes the pros seem to outweigh the cons, but 3 solid seasons aren't enough for the Pats to dish out some big bucks.