Even though he failed to receive a long-term extension from the New England Patriots, Wes Welker will be one of the most popular players for the fantasy football 2012 season considering he’s arguably the most dangerous slot wide receiver in the NFL.

The Patriots knew they had something special in Welker when they acquired him from the Miami Dolphins prior to the 2007 season and since then, Welker has been a fantasy stud–especially in leagues in which owners receive points for receptions. Not only is Welker coming off a 2011 season in which he caught 122 passes for 1,569 yards and nine touchdowns, but he’s recorded 331 receptions over his last three seasons with the Patriots–which is beyond impressive.

As long as he reamins healthy, there’s every reason to believe Welker will post big numbers once again in 2012 as New England looks to make another Super Bowl appearance for the second-straight season. Welker’s blazing speed and quickness make it difficult for just about any defender to fully contain him–just take a look at Week 1 last year when he tied an NFL record for recording a 99-yard touchdown catch against the Dolphins.

In most leagues, Welker will probably fall in the third round at the earliest considering how many other talented wide receivers there are in the NFL and will make a great No. 1 or No. 2 wideout for just about any fantasy football team. Plus, Welker has one of the most talented quarterbacks in NFL history in Tom Brady throwing him the ball–so the potential for big numbers is always going to be there on a weekly basis.

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Top 10 Fantasy Football WR Rankings

1. Calvin Johnson
2. Larry Fitzgerald
3. Andre Johnson
4. Greg Jennings
5. AJ Green
6. Roddy White
7. Hakeem Nicks
8. Wes Welker
9. Victor Cruz
10. Mike Wallace