New England Patriots: 7 best players Tom Brady threw TD’s to over his career
Wes Welker
In 2007, the New England Patriots decided to use their second-round and seventh-round draft picks as part of a trade package to acquire an offensively versatile player in Wes Welker from the Miami Dolphins. Once successful in doing so, Welker became Brady’s most powerful weapon.
After two seasons being used primarily as a specialist and return man with the Dolphins, Welker was quickly Brady’s favorite target from his first game as a Patriot. He became the team’s top wide receiver and eclipsed over 110 receptions and over 1,100 yards in his first three seasons in New England.
Welker would go on to play six seasons for the Patriots and he produced over 1,100 receiving yards in five out of six seasons. The only season he did not was in 2010 after coming off a knee injury the season prior and Welker still accounted for 848 receiving yards.
Welker set franchise records for the most receptions and receiving yards in a single game, as well as leading the league in receptions in ‘07, ‘09, and ‘11.
He also has the most career receptions and is third in franchise history in total receiving yards in Patriots history. Welker reached 500 receptions with the Patriots in just 70 games, which is an NFL record.
FanSided 250
Fansided250 Logo
Where does your fandom rank?
See 2019 Rankings
You have to remember that Welker maintained this consistent production throughout his entire tenure in New England, including being on the same team during the great years of Randy Moss. The type of football player that Welker is, helped solidify how the Patriots would run their offense moving forward for years to come.
In Welker’s six seasons as a Patriot, he would total 672 receptions for 7,459 receiving yards and 37 touchdowns. Brady and Welker connected for 34 touchdowns.
Welker, who started his career as an undrafted rookie free agent, would become one of the best slot receivers in the game and he set the standard for the slot receiver position in the NFL.