INSIDE THE NUMBERS: Julian Edelman on a Tear Compared to 2014

Ian Logue

8 years ago at 1:51 pm ET

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Posted Under: Patriots Stat Breakdowns

Timothy T. Ludwig - USA TODAY Sports

Coming off of back-to-back seasons as one of the go-to guys in Tom Brady’s arsenal, Julian Edelman is enjoying another strong start in 2015.

Through the first seven games Edelman sits atop the list as New England’s most targeted receivers, having been targeted 75 times with 52 receptions and 584 receiving yards.  He also leads the team in receiving first downs with 30, as well as six touchdowns, just one touchdown behind teammate Rob Gronkowski.

He’s ahead of last year’s pace, as Edelman had 44 receptions on 65 targets at this point in 2014, hauling in 453 yards through the air as well as 22 first downs and one touchdown.

RECEIVING TOTALS THROUGH 7 GAMES:
2015: 52-of-75 584yds (11.2 ypc) 30 First Downs, 6 TDs
2014: 44-of-65 453yds (10.3 ypc) 22 First Downs, 1 TD

Edelman is also among the team leaders in third down receptions, sitting at number two behind teammate Danny Amendola.  Amendola’s been targeted 12 times with 11 catches and 7 first downs, along with a touchdown, while Edelman has been targeted twelve times and has 9 catches, including 7 first downs and two touchdowns.

THIRD DOWN RECEIVING THROUGH 7 GAMES:
2014: 10-of-15 120yds (12ypc) 8 First Downs 0TDs
2015: 9-of-12 101yds (11.2ypc) 7 First Downs, 2 TDs

He’s also the team’s reception leader down in the Red Zone with nine receptions along with four touchdowns, although Rob Gronkowski has the edge in touchdowns with five.

2015 TOP 5 RED ZONE RECEIVING LEADERS:
Julian Edelman: 9-of-14 70yds 4 TDs
Rob Gronkowski: 8-of-14 47yds 5 TDs
Scott Chandler: 3-of-5 26yds 1 TD
Dion Lewis: 2-of-4 26yds 2TDs
Danny Amendola 3-of-3 17yds 2 TDs

At this pace he should easily pass 1,000 yards receiving on the season and so far he’s off to a great start.  He’s been one of the key reasons why New England has remained unbeaten through seven games and he’ll certainly be a key component should the Patriots be one of the last teams standing in the AFC in January.