Touchdown Tommy: The receivers who helped put Tom Brady in the record books

When you’re the best quarterback in NFL history, you make those around you better. And Brady did that for his teammates his entire career.

But he did have a lot of talented guys around him. Brady’s favorite receiver throughout his career was the open one, but he did have his go-to guys. Here’s a look at his favorite touchdown targets during his illustrious career

Next up: GOAT calling it quits: Tom Brady retiring after 22 NFL seasons, 7 Super Bowl titles with Patriots, Buccaneers

He'll be missed: Have you heard about that time Tom ...? Ex-Patriots teammates share their favorite Brady stories

1. Rob Gronkowski, 90 touchdowns

They were the odd couple. Brady was the most serious player in the league, Gronk, well, he wasn’t. But together, they made magic, hooking up 90 times during their careers (we’re assuming Gronkowski is also retiring, he’s said he would never play for another QB.) They were so tight that when Brady went to Tampa Bay, Gronkowski came out of retirement. Yes, Rob, you’re special!

2. Randy Moss, 39 touchdowns

Moss was one of the best receivers in NFL history, but he had a career resurgence when he ended up in New England, and he showed the world that Brady was a lot more than a game manager. From 2000 to 2006, Brady never threw more than 28 touchdowns. When he got Mossed, he threw for 50. That was the beginning of Brady being a fantasy football star as well as a NFL star.

3. Julian Edelman, 36 touchdowns

This was surprising because Edleman didn’t join the team until 2009 and he never had more than seven touchdowns in a season, but he was a consistent target for Brady, and whenever he needed a sure first down, Edelman was his man.

4. Wes Welker, 34 touchdowns

Welker was the original Edelman, but he left the Patriots to join the Denver Broncos and Peyton Manning. You’d think that would infuriate Brady, but the pair remain very good friends. I guess when you provide Tom with a guy who was almost a lock for 100 receptions, he’ll forgive anything.

5. Mike Evans, 26 touchdowns

They only worked together for two years, and Evans battled injury woes both seasons, but when he was on the field, he had a real connection. Evans hauled in 26 scores during Brady’s two years with the Buccaneers. He provided Brady with a massive target, and in this year’s playoffs, his only reliable one at receiver after Chris Givens got hurt and Antonio Brown went AWOL.

6. James White, 24 touchdowns

The first running back on the list checks in. Whenever Brady needed a quick checkdown, White was his guy. White never came up bigger than when he found the end zone three times, including one on a pass, when the Patriots beat Atlanta in the big Super Bowl comeback.

6 (tie). Deion Branch, 24 touchdowns

The only receiver to take a Super Bowl MVP away from Brady, Branch was a slot receiver who played a role similar to Welker and Edelman. Branch was Brady’s most reliable target early in his career.

8. Aaron Hernandez, 18 touchdowns

This partnership didn’t last long because Hernandez got in legal troubles, but he was as productive as Gronk when the Patriots ran two tight ends for the three seasons they were both on the team.

9. David Patten, 16 touchdowns

Patten was the No. 1 receiver for Drew Bledsoe when Brady took his job and the veteran receiver continued to produce once No. 12 took over. He left New England after the 2003 season.

10. Troy Brown, 15 touchdowns

Brown was a Tom Brady kind of guy, proving that when he moved to cornerback when the Patriots needed help on defense. But before he was breaking up passes, he was catching them and when he was open, Brady found him.

11. Christian Fauria, 13 touchdowns

It speaks of the greatness of Tom Brady that he could hit journeyman tight end Christian Fauria for 13 touchdowns in four years after the second-round pick averaged just one a season while playing in Seattle.

12. David Givens, 12 touchdowns

Givens had a nice four-year career with New England and he got open. When you get open around Tom Brady, you’ll score.

12 (tied). Chris Godwin, 12 touchdowns

Godwin would have had more had he stayed healthy, but like Evans, he battled injuries during his two years with Brady. While Evans was the guy who could go get the jump balls, Godwin was his security blanket.

14. Chris Hogan, 11 touchdowns

A tough kid who found open spaces and settled there. That’s Brady’s kind of guy, and they hooked up 11 times for scores.

15. Danny Amendola, 10 touchdowns

Had he stayed healthy during his time in New England, they probably would have had a lot more. Amendola is very talented and Brady likes throwing to talented guys.

15 (tied). Kevin Faulk, 10 touchdowns

Faulk was a lot like James White in that he provided Brady with a guy who could get the ball and make things happen. He wasn’t the fastest guy on the field, but whenever Brady needed it, Faulk was there.

This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Gronkowski to Welker and Moss, looking at Tom Brady's favorite targets