Target Practice: Tracking opportunities in Patriots passing game

Wes Welker

Targets have been compiled by the NFL since the start of the 2009 season, and while it remains an imperfect stat — a badly thrown ball from a quarterback can often go against the record of the receiver as opposed to the quarterback — it remains a good indication of the confidence level a passer might have in his pass catcher. Here’s a look at the target breakdown for the New England passing game through the first five weeks of the 2012 regular season:

WR Wes Welker: 38 catches on 52 targets
WR Brandon Lloyd: 28 catches on 45 targets
TE Rob Gronkowski: 23 catches on 34 targets
WR Julian Edelman: 10 catches on 15 targets
TE Aaron Hernandez: Six catches on eight targets
RB Stevan Ridley: Five catches on eight targets
RB Danny Woodhead: Five catches on six targets
WR Deion Branch: Three catches on five targets
RB Brandon Bolden: Two catches on two targets
TE Michael Hoomanawanui: One catch on one target
TE Kellen Winslow: One catch on two targets
TE Daniel Fells: One catch on four targets
RB Shane Vereen: One catch on two targets
TOTALS: 124 catches on 184 targets

By position
Wide receiver: 79 catches on 117 targets
Tight end: 32 catches on 49 targets
Running back: 13 catches on 18 targets