MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — The list of candidates for the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2025 has a decidedly aqua and orange tint.
Nine of the 167 initial nominees are former Miami Dolphins, including running back Ricky Williams, wide receivers Irving Fryar and Brandon Marshall, and offensive tackle Richmond Webb.
But only one of those nine is still a member of the organization: Wes Welker, who played receiver for Miami from 2004-2006 and has coached Dolphins receivers since 2022.
The Hall of Fame Case for Miami Dolphins’ Wes Welker
Sadly, it wasn’t Welker’s turn in the rotation to talk to reporters during Dolphins assistants’ weekly media availability. But his direct supervisor, offensive coordinator, Frank Smith was made available as he is every week.
And he had an excellent answer when we asked him to make Welker’s case for the Hall of Fame.
“Tough. Reliable,” Smith said. “His career, man, it was really awesome to watch him. Especially to kind of take his role and really build upon [it]. Kind of setting the standard in many ways for slot receiver play for so long.
“You watch how he ran routes, and you’re still teaching off that tape, just natural instincts to leverage, recognizing space, communication with the quarterback, all things that he applies as a coach.
“So, yeah, totally could see it happen. Hopefully, it does for him.”
On paper, Welker is a borderline candidate. He doesn’t rank in the top 25 all-time in any of the biggest statistical categories — catches (903), receiving yards (9,924), and receiving touchdowns (50).
But at his best, Welker was basically a guaranteed completion every time he was thrown the ball. In his final six years as a New England Patriot (2007-2012), Welker had 672 catches on 926 targets (72.6%) for 7,459 yards and 37 touchdowns.
He averaged 8.1 yards per target and 11.1 yards per catch during that stretch — strong numbers for a so-called possession receiver.
Certainly, playing with Tom Brady in the prime of both players’ careers helps. But as Smith suggested, it was a mutually beneficial relationship.
Welker’s window for real consideration might be now. The current list of eligible wide receivers isn’t particularly strong after Reggie Wayne and Anquan Boldin.
One final fun note. Smith was asked Thursday if Welker could still get open at age 43.
His response?
“Yeah. I think so. I mean man to man, vice, you know, that might be challenging. But zone, I think he definitely knows where they’re gonna be and how to find the space.”