Name – Wesley Carter Welker
Position – Wide Receiver
Team – New England Patriots
Height – 5 foot 9 inches
Age – 30
College – Texas Tech
Drafted – Undrafted
Wes Welker is one of the most unlikely superstars the NFL has ever seen. Just getting to the college level for Welker was a challenge, as he initially didn’t receive a college scholarship until, with a stroke of luck, a recruit from Texas Tech backed out of his scholarship which gave Welker his chance. It was not just a lucky break for Welker but also for Texas Tech as “The Natural” as he was nicknamed scored 23 offensive touchdowns and over 3,000 yards in his college career — he also had 8 punt return touchdowns which to this day is tied for the NCAA record.
Welker was undrafted in 2004, but was picked up by the San Diego Chargers. He was subsequently dropped after the first game in a move head coach Marty Schottenheimer later called the worst roster cut he ever made. Welker was then signed by the Miami Dolphins and in his rookie year became only the second player in NFL history to return a kickoff and a punt, kick an extra point and a field goal, and make a tackle in a single game. However, in his three years with Miami Welker failed to make a name for himself.
In 2007, Welker was traded to the New England Patriots for a second and seventh round pick. He immediately paid dividends setting a Patriots franchise record for receptions in a season, an NFL record for receptions in a season with a new team and tying with Cincinnati receiver TJ Houshmandzadeh for the most receptions in the 2007 season.
As the years wore on, Welker became the most consistent receiver in the NFL as every year it seemed he was setting new records for reception totals. Even when Tom Brady missed the entire 2008 season due to injury, Welker thrived and was one of the biggest reasons that backup Matt Cassel had a great season resulting in him receiving a massive contract when he later signed for the Kansas City Chiefs.
Since joining the Patriots in 2007, Welker has caught more passes than any player in the league, and ranks in the top five in yardage. Welker reached 500 receptions with the Patriots in just 70 games, an NFL record. Welker holds the franchise record for consecutive games with receptions, having caught a pass in every game — regular season and postseason — he has played as a Patriot. As of the end of the 2011 regular season, Welker ranks second all-time for receptions as a Patriot, just three receptions behind Troy Brown, who played more than twice as many games as a Patriot — 192 regular-season games. Welker ranks third in receiving yards behind Brown and Stanley Morgan.
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