Now, with the addition of Lloyd, perhaps the 32-year-old Branch could settle in to the type of role that the Patriots probably envisioned when Ochocinco came aboard – as a 2b/3a type of receiver option. Given his rapport with Tom Brady, and his knowledge of the offense, Branch still has value to the Patriots. Meanwhile, part of the reason the Patriots were in the market for Lloyd was to have an outside presence who could pick up chunk yardage. That’s not necessarily Branch’s game. So if everyone is healthy, and Wes Welker is under contract, Branch looks like he could become more of a complementary weapon than the front-liner he was in 2011.