Wes Welker, Wide Receiver, Denver Broncos

NFL Experience: 10 Years

Undrafted Free Agent

College: Texas Tech

Best Performance

Week 4, VS- Philadelphia Eagles: Seven Receptions, 76 yards and two touchdowns 

Imagine this being Welker's best single-game performance during his time with Tom Brady and the New England Patriots. Having to share the ball with a ton of other receiving options in Denver, Welker struggled putting up tremendous fantasy numbers. Even his best performance in that category only ranked him as the No. 10 fantasy receiver in Week 4. 

Welker caught seven of the nine passes thrown in his direction, including four and six-yard touchdown receptions from Peyton Manning in the Broncos 52-20 trouncing of the Eagles. 

Best Four-Game Stretch

Weeks 3-6: 25 receptions, 272 yards and five touchdowns

Welker put up eight touchdowns in the first six games of the season, but only tallied two in his final five outings. This four-game stretch started to remind us of his days with the Patriots, as hey quickly became Manning's favorite target. Including the single-game performance I referenced above, Welker averaged 6.3 receptions, 66.8 yards and 1.3 touchdowns during that span. 

It must, however, be noted that he went up against some pretty bad defenses in the form of the Oakland Raiders, Philadelphia Eagles, Dallas Cowboys and Jacksonville Jaguars in these four games. Not exactly the best indicator when looking at potential fantasy success moving forward. 

Lowest Statistical Standpoint

Week 12, AT- New England Patriots: Four receptions, 31 yards and zero touchdowns

Interestingly enough, Welker's worst single-game performance came against his former team in his old stomping grounds of Gillette Stadium. He put up just four receptions and averaged less than four yards per target in Denver's 34-31 overtime loss.

Unfortunately for the Broncos, this game turned in New England's favor when Welker, returning a punt, waived off Broncos special teams players. Reserve defensive back Tony Carter ran into the ball, which gave New England possession in field goal range. It would kick a 31-yard field goal with less than two minutes remaining in overtime to grab the victory. 

2013 Season at a Glance

It really was a tale of two seasons for Welker in 2013. He started out with a bang, putting up 50 receptions for 550 yards and nine touchdowns in the first eight games before Denver's Week 9 bye. After the off week, Welker tallied just 23 receptions for 193 yards and one touchdown in five games. Dealing with multiple concussions, Welker would miss the final three games of the year before returning in time for the Broncos run to the Super Bowl. 

Despite putting up double-digit scores, Welker finished the regular year as the 31st-ranked fantasy receiver. These numbers represented a major regression in production from the veteran receiver. Overall, Welker put up double-digit fantasy points in just over half of the 13 games he suited up in. It was Welker's second-lowest fantasy output since his rookie campaign with the Miami Dolphins in 2006. 

2014 Outlook

One would think that Welker's fantasy value will increase in 2014 with the likely departure of Eric Decker in free agency. On the surface that might be true, but it also might indicate that Welker will be going up against better corners and may be tasked with playing on the outside, which isn't his natural position.

In addition, it's important to note that the veteran has sustained multiple concussions over the years and saw a decrease in production when he was actually on the field in the second half of the season.

Some may still consider Welker a sexy redraft bet because of the offense he's playing in, but we view him as nothing more than a bottom-tier FLEX guy in 2WR leagues. 

Next Up: #98, Tony Gonzalez, Tight End, Atlanta Falcons