I might be in the minority, but I always thought Edelman was a lesser version of Wes Welker. Yes, Edelman was tougher and probably more clutch. But Edelman many times dropped too many passes and multiple times botched easy passes that turned into Pick 6's. And Edelman was constantly hurt. So props for gutting it out at times, but IIRC he missed 55 games over his career . . . that's three and a half seasons worth of games. Welker averaged 80 receiving yards a game and had a 72.6% catch rate. Since becoming a starter, Edelman average 68 yards a game and had a 65.9% catch rate.
Even in the playoffs, both guys averaged 76 yards per game but Welker had a catch rate of 76.7% and Edelman was at 65.6%. But Edelman will be remembered for the circus catch against the Falcons, while Welker will be remembered for his
drop against the Giants that could have sealed a win against the Giants and prompted the infamous my-husband-cannot-throw-and-catch-the-ball comment.
(IMO, with a better throw that play is a TD and the Pats win that game as they would have taken a 9 point lead.)