Wes Welker: New England Patriots Will Likely Franchise Welker

ESPN's Adam Schefter is reporting that the New England Patriots are looking at slapping Wes Welker with the franchise tag in 2012 if a suitable long-term deal can't be reached between the two parties.

If the Pats do franchise Welker, it will cost them approximately $9.4 million. 

Smart move, if you ask me.

The Patriots would have a tough time getting comparable production if Welker were to land on another team next year. After all, he did lead all NFL receivers with 122 receptions in 2011.

He is Tom Brady's favorite target, and at 30 years of age, Welker looks to have plenty of gas left in his tank for many more seasons of excellent production.

In the last five seasons, he is averaging 110 catches for 1,221 yards and six touchdowns per season. That kind of production isn't something the Patriots will be able to find growing on the NFL draft tree. Heck, that kind of production isn't found much at all...ever.

To put it in perspective, let's compare Welker's last five seasons (average) to Jerry Rice's best five seasons ever (average) in the NFL:

• Welker: 110 catches for 1,121 yards and six touchdowns
• Rice: 105 catches for 1,462 yards and 11 touchdowns

As good as Welker has been for the team, his career average per catch is only 11.1 yards. The Pats still need to find a receiver that can stretch the field down the sidelines, making the franchise tag for Welker seem even more appropriate this year. 

It is tough to continually find success in the NFL from year to year, but the Patriots will be one step closer to finding it in 2012 by securing Welker's services for at least one more year.

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