They are also under a great deal of pressure, as one dropped ball could result in the outcome of a game being changed (i.e. Super Bowl XLVI).
But even with that fateful missed catch in Indianapolis, Patriots wide receiver Wes Welker managed to come in third on Bleacher Report's list of the top 150 wide recievers in the NFL.
Welker had the best season of his career in 2011, setting personal bests in receiving yards (1,569), yards per catch (12.9), touchdowns (nine) and yards per game (98.1). His 122 receptions were the most in the NFL last season. And who could forget his incredible 99-yard touchdown reception in Week 1 against the Dolphins?
Welker was topped on the list only by Larry Fitzgerald of the Cardinals and Calvin Johnson of the Lions. Johnson led the league in receiving yards last season with 1,681, topping Welker. He was also first among receivers in touchdowns with 16, trailing by only one to Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski.
Fitzgerald, 28, set a career high in yards per catch with 17.6 and hauled in 80 passes for 1,411 yards, with eight of them going for touchdowns.
This is latest list in Bleacher Report's NFL 1,000 series, highlighting the top 1,000 players in the league from all positions. The next installment will be released on April 16 and feature running backs.
More NFL 1,000 Rankings: Quarterbacks I Fullbacks I Left Tackles I Right Tackles I Centers I Right Guards I Tight Ends I Left Guards I Punters I Kickers I Strong Safeties I Free Safeties I Defensive EndsI Defensive Tackles I Inside Linebackers I Outside Linebackers
