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 when it came to the 2012 postseason:

WR Wes Welker: 16 catches on 25 targets
TE Aaron Hernandez: 15 catches on 23 targets
WR Brandon Lloyd: 12 catches on 23 targets
RB Shane Vereen: 7 catches on 10 targets
WR Deion Branch: 2 catches on 5 targets
RB Stevan Ridley: 1 catches on 2 targets
RB Danny Woodhead: 1 catch on 3 targets
TE Rob Gronkowski: 0 catches on 1 target
TOTALS: 54 catches on 92 targets

By position
Wide receiver: 30 catches on 53 targets
Tight end: 15 catches on 24 targets
Running back: 9 catches on 15 targets

Here’s a look at how targets broke down for the Patriots over the course of the 2012 regular season.