Just look back at what people were saying about him three years ago, when he set sail from Texas Tech with intentions of a pro career. Or, more succinctly, look how he measured out.
He stood 5-foot-8, 195 pounds, ran a 4.61 40-yard dash, leaped all of 30 inches vertically, had a 9-foot-5 broad jump and, well, you could just keep going.
"You look at me on a piece of paper and I don't look like much at all," he admitted yesterday in his introductory conference call with the New England media. "Put me on a field with a bunch of guys who like to play ball and it's a whole different story."
In coming to New England, Welker thinks he's found those guys. Bucking just about every personnel man's assessment, catching 67 balls and becoming one of the most productive return men in the business just three seasons after going undrafted, the former Texas Tech product knew just what he was looking for in hitting the market as a restricted free agent.
Quickly, he found it, and that's why he looked nowhere else but Foxboro for a new home.
"It was just individuals coming together and forming a team," Welker said. "You could see it. You looked at them on paper and you just couldn't understand why they were winning so many games and Super Bowls. Then, you go out and play them, and you can't beat them. You watch them on film, and they can't lose.
"Those guys, I always kind of envied what the Patriots have done while I was at Miami just because I feel like that's me. I think that's the type of system that I fit in."
Welker was the first to say that, at this early juncture, he has no idea just how he'll fit. But while he agreed he's best suited for the slot, or 'Y' position, he also said he gained experience last year playing the outside 'X' and 'Z' spots when Marty Booker went down with injury.
And the new Patriot added that it's a non-issue, anyway. He's willing to do anything asked.
"I'm here to help the team in any way, shape, or form," Welker said. "Whatever they'll have me do, I'm more than happy to do it."
Plus, he has a better idea of what that may be than most outsiders coming in. With Nick Saban off to Alabama, the old player pipeline he's provided Bill Belichick in the past is being revived.
Sammy Morris was the first one to prove that. Welker's the next, saying that he had a pretty good idea that Saban sent a recommendation along before the trade that netted Miami second- and seventh-round picks.
"I think it would only be smart to," he said. "Nick and I got along really well. He was a great coach and we respected each other. ... I've heard (Belichick and Saban are) very similar. It's kind of nice to know what I'm getting into and what to expect and the type of work ethic and things that I need to bring to the table."
The Patriots, too, know what they're getting into. After Welker burned them for nine catches in October, the receiver says he saw more attention from the Patriots defense in the December rematch than he'd seen from any unit.
And that level of attention carried right over into the offseason, with the Patriots proposing an offer sheet, then deciding to go to Miami to negotiate a trade. That, to Welker, was another sign that "shows the first-class organization they are" and one the receiver badly wanted to join.
"My agent (Vann McElroy) talked to a couple of different teams," Welker said. "In the end, this is the team where I wanted to be and where I could fit in and really do some positive things."
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Late Tuesday night, free agent tight end Daniel Graham agreed to terms on a five-year, $30 million deal with his hometown Broncos, departing in a move that was expected after the Patriots slapped Asante Samuel, and not Graham, with the franchise tag.
The contract includes $15 million guarantees and gives Graham the chance to play for the team his father, Tom, played for. The Patriots never came close to those numbers, told the tight end's camp they wouldn't engage in a bidding war and Graham's reps never went back to New England.
"There was no point in it," said agent Jack Mills. "It was really, really close between Denver and Seattle. I bet Daniel changed his mind six times (Tuesday). I know he'll miss his teammates in New England. One of the big draws in Seattle was (former Pats) Deion Branch and Tom Ashworth."
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Corey Dillon is set to hit the free-agent trail today, kicking off his by visiting the Bills, who are considering trading star back Willis McGahee, possibly to the Giants.
Dillon's agent, Steve Feldman, said the Ravens and Eagles have shown an interest. The Ravens cut Jamal Lewis and have little behind him, while the Eagles, who feature a Swiss Army knife back in Brian Westbrook, have long lacked a bruiser like Dillon.
"Everything's transpiring exactly as we thought it would," Feldman said. "Because of his age, he's not gonna be everyone's first choice. But what it boils down to is that he is still a very productive back in this league."
(Albert Breer is a Daily News staff writer. He can be reached at 508-626-3872 or abreer@cnc.com)
