some of my previous comments in this thread have been shtick, but this is not. I think JT will be at worst the #3 receiver on this team, ahead of Welker. In camp I saw them working lots of 2 TE sets, and saw it again in Thursdays game. The only drive they had any success on was running out of a 2 TE set.
I've been pretty adamant all pre-season that Fox wants to pass to get a lead and then run the ball to seal the win. IMO, Fox places blame on the Baltimore loss on not being able to secure a first down at the end of the game to close it out when they had a lead...so, they strengthened the OL by signing Vasquez and then got younger by drafting a RB early. That being said - it's easier to run the ball out of a 2TE set. So - 1 RB, 2 TE means that for large stretches of the game, there will only be 2 WR's on the field. Welker is the smallest WR and so he will be the one on the sideline. By contrast, JT will be on the field the whole game.
I understand Welkers ability to get open is pretty significant. However, JT will be a dynamic playmaker on the cusp of a breakout season. He's a huge target with great hands, just now understanding the nuances of the game. He will be involved. I'm thinking JT will catch around 60 balls this year, maybe 700-750 yards and a few TD's.