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: 48 catches on 66 targets
WR Brandon Lloyd: 34 catches on 57 targets
TE Rob Gronkowski: 29 catches on 42 targets
TE Aaron Hernandez: 12 catches on 17 targets
RB Danny Woodhead: 10 catches on 11 targets
WR Julian Edelman: 10 catches on 15 targets
RB Stevan Ridley: Six catches on 10 targets
WR Deion Branch: Four catches on nine targets
RB Brandon Bolden: Two catches on two targets
TE Daniel Fells: Two catches on six targets
TE Michael Hoomanawanui: One catch on one target
RB Shane Vereen: One catch on two targets
TE Kellen Winslow: One catch on two targets
TOTALS: 160 catches on 240 targets

By position
Wide receiver: 96 catches on 147 targets
Tight end: 45 catches on 68 targets
Running back: 19 catches on 25 targets

By way of comparison, here’s a look at how the targets broke down through six weeks last season.