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 2012 regular season:

WR Wes Welker: 118 catches on 175 targets
WR Brandon Lloyd: 74 catches on 131 targets
TE Rob Gronkowski: 55 catches on 79 targets
TE Aaron Hernandez: 51 catches on 83 targets
RB Danny Woodhead: 40 catches on 55 targets
WR Julian Edelman: 21 catches on 32 targets
WR Deion Branch: 16 catches on 29 targets
RB Shane Vereen: Eight catches on 13 targets
RB Stevan Ridley: Six catches on 14 targets
TE Michael Hoomanawanui: Five catches on seven targets
TE Daniel Fells: Four catches on 10 targets
RB Brandon Bolden: Two catches on two targets
TE Kellen Winslow: One catch on two targets
WR Donte’ Stallworth: One catch on two targets
TE Visanthe Shiancoe: Zero catches on one target
TOTALS: 402 catches on 635 targets

By position
Wide receiver: 230 catches on 369 targets
Tight end: 116 catches on 182 targets
Running back: 56 catches on 84 targets

By way of comparison, here’s a look at how targets in the New England passing game have broken down since 2009

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