Wes Welker to the Rams: What Makes it So Great

Nov 23, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos wide receiver Wes Welker (83) is brought down by Miami Dolphins strong safety Jimmy Wilson (27) after making a catch during the second half at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. The Broncos won 39-36. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports

Welker will eventually help the Rams on third down.

Let’s start with the elephant in the room. So far this season, the St. Louis Rams have, by far, the worst third down conversion rate in the league at 23.8%. And in the last three contests, the Rams have only converted 10.8% of third down plays. As much as we enjoy watching Johnny Hekker punt bombs and Greg the Leg showing off his incredible kicking power, these third down statistics are embarrassing and detrimental to the team’s success this season.

However, this trend of third down inefficiency started long before Nick Foles was under center. Jeff Fisher’s Rams have been painfully mediocre on third down, converting only 33.9% of third downs through his first three seasons as head coach. Jeff Fisher’s solution? Wes Welker.

"“He’s going to get open, he’s going to make the catch, he’s going to get the first down. He’s going to get down, get up, and we’ll keep the chains moving. That’s kind of what we’re looking for.” – Jeff Fisher, Head Coach of the St. Louis Rams"

Sep 20, 2015; Landover, MD, USA; St. Louis Rams wide receiver Stedman Bailey (12) stands on the field during warm ups prior to the Rams

In Welker’s legendary career with the New England Patriots, 25.6% of his 672 receptions with the team came on third down. Then whilst with the Denver Broncos, 25.4% of his 122 receptions came on third down. Therefore, Wes Welker is the kind of receiver you want on the field in third down situations.

But despite his age, Welker is still a very efficient route runner and possesses extremely reliable hands (Yes, contrary to popular belief, Wes Welker is a reliable pass catcher despite a few crucial drops in his career).

Those two attributes are reminiscent of his new teammate Stedman Bailey, who is not only underutilized by the coaches but is also serving a four-game suspension that prompted the signing of Welker in the first place. Giving Bailey more opportunities in the offensive gameplan may have aided the team on third downs, but his suspension puts his progression as a player on hold until the Rams face the Detroit Lions in Week 13.

Don’t expect Welker to be the savior for the Rams’ third down woes right away. He first has to learn the offense and develop a rapport with quarterback Nick Foles. Considering Welker’s past two quarterbacks—Tom Brady and Peyton Manning—will be first ballot Hall of Famers, he will have to adjust to the inconsistencies of Foles.

However, unless the Rams insistently feed Todd Gurley in third-and-long situations to set up a Greg Zuerlein field goal, I expect Welker to become Nick Foles’s best friend and chain-mover when all his other options are unavailable.

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