Baltimore Ravens' LB Adalius Thomas. Barry Taylor/WireImage.com
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The San Francisco 49ers would have paid Thomas at least $1 million more per season, but his family didn't want to move to California -- and the seven-year vet had his own priorities. "The money wasn't going to make my decision," says Thomas, who had a career-high 11 sacks in '06. "Having a chance to win every year in a good place, with a coach and organization I can trust, those were the important things."

The Patriots ended last season with Jabar Gaffney, Reche Caldwell and Troy Brown as their top three wideouts; they'll most likely start Stallworth and Welker in '07 and bring another free-agent signee, Kelley Washington of the Cincinnati Bengals, off the bench. New England traded a second- and seventh-round pick for Welker, who last year accomplished the exceedingly rare trifecta of leading his team in receptions (67, for 687 yards), punt returns (9.2 yards per attempt) and kickoff returns (22.2). "We've played against him twice a year, and he's killed us every game," Belichick says. "We couldn't cover him."

Stallworth, who averaged 19.1 yards per catch in '06, gives Brady his best deep threat ever. Pioli also built some insurance into the contract in case Stallworth is sidelined by off-field problems. (The Philadelphia Inquirer reported earlier this month that he was in the league's substance-abuse program and could be subject to a suspension for a subsequent violation.) Stallworth is slated to receive $3.6 million this year, but $1.6 million of that will come in roster bonuses of $100,000 per game; if the Patriots retain him for 2008, it triggers a longer-term deal with an $8 million bonus. The Dolphins and the Titans were both pursuing Stallworth, "but he wanted to play with Tom Brady," says Titans coach Jeff Fisher. "Who can blame him?"

With 2006 first-round pick Laurence Maroney ready to become a 300-carry-a-season running back, New England waived Corey Dillon and signed a better blocker and special teams player, Sammy Morris, from the Dolphins. And while their good, young blocking tight end Daniel Graham got $6 million a year from the Denver Broncos in free agency, the Pats signed a good, old blocking tight end, Kyle Brady of the Jacksonville Jaguars, for less than half that, $2.8 million a year.

Of course, projecting whether big-name free agents will improve a team is risky business. The Washington Redskins, Cleveland Browns and Minnesota Vikings were the biggest movers in the market last year, signing presumed impact players such as receiver Antwaan Randle El (Washington), center LeCharles Bentley (Cleveland) and guard Steve Hutchinson (Minnesota). But all three teams went backward -- from a combined 25-23 in 2005 to 15-33 in '06. "I hope what we've done translates to the field," says Patriots owner Robert Kraft. "But you never know. Four years ago we had a major signing in [linebacker] Rosevelt Colvin, and he hurt his hip in the second game of the season and missed most of the year."

If New England has spent wisely, the AFC's balance of power could shift. At the end of last season the Colts, Patriots and Chargers were 1A, 1B and 1C in the conference -- the Pats just as easily could have lost the divisional playoff game in San Diego or won the conference title showdown at Indy. The Chargers, aside from re-signing top guard Kris Dielman, have been all but inactive during free agency. The Super Bowl champion Colts lost two of their best defenders, cornerback Nick Harper (to Tennessee) and linebacker Cato June (to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers), plus running back Dominic Rhodes (to the Oakland Raiders), and have added no one. True, Chargers stars LaDainian Tomlinson and Shawne Merriman haven't left, nor has Colts quarterback Peyton Manning. But given the razor-thin margins between the AFC's elite clubs, New England might have edged ahead.

The Patriots were back in the business of managing expectations last weekend, having shifted their focus from free agency to the draft. "They don't hand out any trophies in the NFL for what you do in March or April," Pioli said. Speaking of which, guess which NFL team is the only one with two first-round choices on April 28.

In New England, the rich don't just get richer. They get smarter.