New England Patriots should pass on Randy Moss

Current San Francisco 49ers wide receiver and former New England Patriots star wideout Randy Moss is open to playing after the 2013 season, and ESPN Boston speculated yesterday if Moss could be a future option for the Patriots. The Pats could use a deep threat, because that’s one of the biggest needs for this team. However, a reunion between the Pats and Moss has little benefit for the Pats, and the team is better off bringing back a different wide receiver.

Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

Moss enjoyed a quality season with the 49ers by catching 33 passes (including the playoffs) for 505 yards and 15.3 yards per reception. He can still stretch defenses deep and is still an asset in the end zone with three touchdown receptions (including one on the Patriots).

He is 36 years old but is still a useful No. 4 wide receiver as a deep threat on the field. Signing Moss wouldn’t be a bad idea, and I’m not fully against a reunion with Moss. However, I think there is a better option out there for the Patriots to sign and that is Donte’ Stallworth.

In the one game he played for the Patriots, Stallworth caught a big 63-yard touchdown catch on the Houston Texans. He still has plenty of speed and athleticism and is younger than Moss at 32. Age isn’t much of a factor in a one-year deal, but it serves to show that Stallworth has more speed than Moss and offers much more after the catch than the other veteran WR.

All the Patriots need is a No. 4 WR who can go deep if they can re-sign Wes Welker (if they can’t, then they need more), and Stallworth fits that bill. Even though he sometimes struggles with drops, Stallworth can still be a big asset to this team as a deep threat and showed it with his big TD catch against Houston.

I’m not completely against signing Moss, but I have a feeling Stallworth will be cheaper. Ultimately, that’s what it comes down to for me. If Moss is somehow cheaper than Stallworth, then the Pats should sign him. If he isn’t, then the Pats should definitely take Stallworth over him. I’m betting Stallworth’s asking price is lower than Moss’s since Moss made $1.75 million this year with a likely $750,000 in bonuses.

You can follow Joe Soriano on Twitter @SorianoJoe.