Tom Brady has been the Patriots' starting quarterback for 18 seasons and has led his team to the Super Bowl in half of them. Looking at his skill players and offensive lineman this season, he leads one of his strongest supporting casts ever in his quest to earn a sixth ring in Super Bowl 53 against the Rams.
But looking back over his entire career in New England, who have been the all-time best offensive teammates for the greatest quarterback of all time?
Based on a combination of talent, productivity and longevity, here’s ranking the ultimate TB12.
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12. Corey Dillon (running back, 2004-06)
The Patriots have had many load-carrying, early-down backs during the Brady-Bill Belichick era, from Antowain Smith to perhaps the most talented in rookie first-rounder Sony Michel. Dillon came to them at the end of his four-Pro Bowl career but had plenty left. In 2004, he rushed for 1,635 yards and 12 TDs as he helped the team win Super Bowl 39 over the Eagles. Although Dillon finished with two less effective seasons, he scored 37 times in all with New England.
11. Dan Koppen (center, 2003-11)
Fourth-year center David Andrews is pretty darn good snapping the ball and blocking in front of Brady in the present, but Koppen for now gets a nod as one of the three former Patriots offensive linemen on this list. He went to one Pro Bowl and was a steady presence up front through 120 starts in nine regular seasons.
10. Deion Branch (wide receiver, 2002-05, 2010-12)
Branch's finest Patriots moment was when he won Super Bowl 39 MVP after he caught 11 catches for 133 yards against the Eagles. At 5-9, 193 pounds, he stood out as the Patriots’ original mighty mite and Brady’s reliable go-to guy. Branch did not have any big-stat seasons, but where he matched Brady was in the clutch. A holdout in 2006 caused Branch to be traded to Seattle, but he returned to New England to finish his career strong with one more big season with Brady.
9. Troy Brown (wide receiver, 2000-07)
Brown was a well-established Patriot before Brady got to New England, having played there since 1993. Until Brady arrived, however, he was doing most of his best work on punt and kickoff returns. Then Brady connected with him right away as a high-volume target. Brown had his best season in 2001 with 101 catches, 1,199 yards and 5 TDs to help launch the Patriots’ dynasty in Super Bowl 36. In that game, he had 6 catches for 89 yards. Brown remains one of the most revered and respected Patriots of all time.
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8. Kevin Faulk (running back, 2000-11)
Faulk made the trusty receiving back a staple of Brady's offenses out of the gate, and he gets a special mention for playing with Brady the longest of anyone on this list (12 seasons). He was extremely consistent in catching 431 career passes, all with the Patriots, for 3,701 yards and added another 3,607 yards rushing. As second-round pick the year before Brady was drafted, Faulk immediately was a key short outlet for the QB, paving the way the others to thrive in that role.
7. James White (running back, 2014-present)
White, a fourth-round pick from Wisconsin, has contributed for only four seasons. But he has emerged as the perfect versatile Patriot for Brady in any situation. Although Whie has found his niche in the passing game, he’s also been an effective power runner when given the opportunity. The catalyst of the Patriots’ epic Super Bowl 51 comeback against the Falcons, White has gone from secret weapon to indispensable. He turned his 181 touches in 2018 into 1,176 yards and 12 TDs, averaging 6.5 yards per touch. In 10 playoff games, he has 86 touches for another 567 yards and 8 TDs.
6. Matt Light (left tackle, 2001-11)
Light, a three-time Pro Bowler who also was an All-Pro selection in 2007, was the rock on Brady’s blindside for 11 seasons. He was consistent in holding down the edge before passing the torch to Nate Solder. Light has been the best of the many tackles responsible for keeping Brady upright over the years.
5. Logan Mankins (left guard, 2005-13)
Mankins went to the Pro Bowl six times in his nine seasons blocking for Brady. He was a well-rounded mauler in the running game and nimble in interior pass protection, to the point where he could fill in at left tackle when needed. He lived up to his first-round draft pedigree and then some with his strength, power, agility and durability. It was unfortunate, however, that Mankins fell short of winning the Super Bowl with Brady.
4. Julian Edelman (wide receiver, 2009-present)
Edelman has had a suspension, a major knee injury and no Pro Bowl nods. None of that matters, because he has been the Brady wideout who best embodies the qualities of his QB. Edelman, who also was an overlooked former college QB drafted late, matches Brady's mental and physical toughness, as well his age-defying work ethic. The Super Bowl 53 MVP is a great friend and motivator to Brady, beyond being a complete short-to-intermediate receiver who comes through for Brady in seemingly every crucial situation.
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3. Randy Moss (wide receiver, 2007-10)
The Hall of Famer made too big of an impact as Brady's best-ever outside threat not to rank this high, despite playing only 52 games in fewer than four seasons in New England. When Brady threw a then-record 50 TD passes and the Patriots became the then highest-scoring offense in NFL history in 2007, Moss posted 98 catches for 1,493 yards and 23 TDs. Even with Moss cooling off and his relationship with the Patriots going cold in the end, he was key in helping Brady transition from efficient winner to downright prolific passer.
2. Wes Welker (wide receiver, 2007-12)
The only thing missing from Welker’s excellent six-year run with the Patriots was a Super Bowl victory with Brady, as the team lost twice the Giants after the 2007 and 2011 seasons. In that span, the former Dolphin and future Bronco posted 672 catches for 7,459 yards, with two All-Pro and five Pro Bowl nods. He was a consistent slot machine with four seasons of more than 110 receptions.
1. Rob Gronkowski (tight end, 2010-present)
Among fellow Patriots other than Moss and kicker Adam Vinatieri, Gronkowski is the only sure bet to join Brady in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. This current season could be Gronkowski’s last, especially if the Patriots win Super Bowl 53 with his age-30 season ahead. Through 115 games in nine seasons, in which he has been first-team All-Pro five times, Gronkowski has 521 catches for 7,861 yards with 80 total TDs. At 6-6, 265 pounds, when healthy, he has been a physically dominant blocker and an athletically gifted receiver like the position has never seen in combination before. In all, that makes Gronk the best of Brady’s many winning buddies.
