Yards After The Catch

By Dean Michaels, NFL Writer

Additional yards after the catch are an important part of an offense's success. Many receivers feel the accuracy of the throw is important for them to gain extra yards after the catch.

"The location of the football allows us to catch it in stride and be able to see the defender in front of us, which allows us to make a move by the time you catch the ball," says New York Giants wide receiver VICTOR CRUZ. "A lot of it has to do with where the ball is placed and a lot of it has to do with our natural ability."

New England Patriots wide receiver WES WELKER led the NFL in yards after the catch (751) last season. Welker also led the league in receptions with 122 and finished second in receiving yards with 1,569.

"Welker is the best receiver in the league right now," says NFL Network analyst and Pro Football Hall of Fame wide receiver MICHAEL IRVIN. "His versatility makes him one of the best." Welker's teammate, Patriots tight end ROB GRONKOWSKI, led NFL tight ends in yards after the catch and ranked fourth in the league with 668 yards.

"When you catch the ball in practice and try and make a guy miss, you just bring that into the game," says Gronkowski. "The quarterback is going to put the ball where you can make a play, where you can make the catch and get up the field and get some more yards."

NFL players with the most yards after the catch in 2011, as per the Elias Sports Bureau: