The NFL's 10 Best Deep-Ball Wide Receivers in 2016
3. Chris Hogan, New England Patriots
Deep Targets: 23 | Target NEP per Target: 1.45 | Success Rate: 56.52%
Tom Brady led all quarterbacks in efficiency on deep targets in his age-39 season. Part of that is due to being one of the greatest to ever play the position, but he got some help from Chris Hogan.
Hogan had just 58 targets during the regular season, but almost 40% of them were at least 16 yards downfield. He turned those 23 targets into 13 receptions for 465 yards and 3 touchdowns. For some context on that production, here are his numbers matched up with those of teammate Julian Edelman.
| On Deep Passes | Targets | Receptions | Yards | Touchdowns | Target NEP per Target |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Julian Edelman | 31 | 9 | 236 | 0 | 0.22 |
| Chris Hogan | 23 | 13 | 465 | 3 | 1.45 |
On 8 fewer targets, Hogan had 4 more receptions, 229 more yards, 3 more touchdowns, and a whole boatload more efficiency. Their roles are wholly independent, and Edelman's strength is not in going deep, but that only makes Hogan a more valuable asset to the offense.
Once Rob Gronkowski comes back, the New England Patriots will have two of the best deep-ball threats in the league on the same roster. Edelman still has his role as a target monster in close. Brady's age is certainly getting up there, but this team has the assets it needs to keep on thriving.
