Mike Evans
Career Stats: 122 games played (121 starts), 606 receptions, 9,301 yards, 75 TD
Mike Evans, who is in his eighth season, could retire tomorrow and be ecstatic about his performance. The Texas A&M product has always been an above-average wideout. Evans, a 6-foot-5 target, has more than 1,000 receiving yards in each of his eight seasons; his current career high is 1,524 yards in 2018. The four-time Pro Bowler is regarded as one of the league’s top red zone threats. Evans excels at meeting the ball at its highest point, as well as taking advantage of his great stature. Evans has 75 touchdowns as a result, including 27 in two seasons with Tom Brady at the head of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Evans, who will be 29 when the season begins in 2022, has plenty of time to climb the ranks.
Mike Evans
Charlie Joiner
Career Stats: 239 games played (211 starts), 750 receptions, 12,146 yards, 65 TD
Charlie Joiner advanced from fourth-round pick to Hall of Famer. Joiner, a 5-foot-11 wideout from Grambling State, was taken by the Houston Oilers in the fourth round of the 1969 NFL Draft. Joiner began his career as an Oilers defensive back before transitioning to receiver late in his rookie season. Joiner joined the San Diego Chargers in 1976 after spending time with the Oilers and Bengals. That year, Joiner had 1,056 yards and seven touchdowns on 50 catches. In 1980, Joiner was an All-Pro with 71 receptions, 1,132 yards, and four touchdowns. After the 1986 season, Joiner retired at the age of 39 as the NFL’s all-time leader in receptions and receiving yards.
Charlie Joiner
Cooper Kupp
Career Stats: 71 games played (57 starts), 433 receptions, 5,517 yards, 40 TD
Cooper Kupp is only in his sixth season in the NFL, but the former Eastern Washington standout has already made his mark. Kupp, a wide receiver for the Los Angeles Rams, has gone from decent to great in a couple of years. In 2021, Kupp earned the receiving triple crown, leading the NFL with 145 receptions, 1,947 yards, and 16 touchdowns. In the playoffs, Kupp was just as effective. Kupp scored a touchdown in all four of Los Angeles’ wins, including two in the NFC Championship and Super Bowl. In the Rams’ last three games, Kupp garnered 183, 142, and 92 yards. He was also chosen as the Super Bowl MVP.
Cooper Kupp
Charley Taylor
Career Stats: 165 games played (157 starts), 649 receptions, 9,110 yards, 79 TD
Charley Taylor was taken third overall by the Washington Redskins in the 1964 NFL Draft. Taylor was an instant success when he joined the franchise. Taylor was voted the AP Rookie of the Year after catching 53 passes for 814 yards and five touchdowns and running for 755 yards and five scores. Taylor led the NFL in receptions with 72 in Year 3. The following year (70 catches), he duplicated the feat, concluding the two-year streak with 2,109 yards and 21 receiving touchdowns. Taylor retired as the NFL’s all-time leader in catches in 1977.
Charley Taylor
Tyreek Hill
Career Stats: 91 games played (73 starts), 479 receptions, 6,630 yards, 56 TD
Tyreek Hill cemented his place in history during his first six seasons. Hill was selected by the Kansas City Chiefs in the fifth round of the 2016 NFL Draft and went on to earn an All-Pro as a rookie. Hill, dubbed ‘Cheetah’ for his incredible speed, was known from the start of his career for blowing past even the fastest defenders. In Kansas City, Hill hooked up with superstar quarterback Patrick Mahomes to form one of the league’s most feared QB/WR duos. While with the Chiefs, Hill was named All-Pro three times and appeared in the Pro Bowl each year. The Miami Dolphins acquired Hill prior to the 2022 season. We’ll see how he does with Tua Tagovailoa at quarterback instead of Mahomes.
Tyreek Hill
Andre Reed
Career Stats: 234 games played (217 starts), 951 receptions, 13,198 yards, 87 TD
Andre Reed, the Buffalo Bills’ fourth-round choice in 1985, made the most of his opportunity. Reed rewrote Buffalo’s record books for 15 years and became a team legend. The top wideout developed alongside the team. During Buffalo’s four-year run to the Super Bowl, Reed caught 269 passes for 3,825 yards and 27 touchdowns. From 1988 until 1994, Reed was selected to seven straight Pro Bowls.
Buffalo Bills Vs New York Jets
Anquan Boldin
Career Stats: 202 games played (198 starts), 1,076 receptions, 13,779 yards, 82 TD
Only eight wideouts in National Football League history have caught more passes than Anquan Boldin. After playing collegiately at Florida State, Boldin was taken in the second round of the 2003 NFL Draft. Boldin spent the first seven years of his career with the Arizona Cardinals. During that time, Boldin was a three-time Pro Bowler, scoring 44 touchdowns and gaining over 7,500 yards. The former Seminole led the NFL in receiving yards per game with 100.1 as a third-year player and set a career high with 1,402 yards. Boldin remained a threat throughout his 14-year career.
Anquan Boldin
Davante Adams
Career Stats: 116 games played (109 starts), 669 receptions, 8,121 yards, 73 TD
Davante Adams spent the first eight years of his career catching passes from Aaron Rodgers, one of the best quarterbacks of all time. Adams finished his three seasons in Green Bay with over 1,300 yards. In his final season with the Packers in 2021, Adams had a career-high 1,553 receiving yards. Adams has five seasons with at least ten touchdowns, including a career-high 18 in 2020. Adams, a two-time All-Pro, will now add the Las Vegas Raiders to his resume.
Davante Adams
Hines Ward
Playoff Stats: 217 games played (190 starts), 1,000 receptions, 12,083 yards, 85 TD
Hines Ward was just a good football player. The Steelers made the playoffs eight times during his illustrious tenure, including two Super Bowl titles. He was a fantastic player in every element of the game. Ward lacks the jaw-dropping stature of several of his peers. The majority of that stems from his time with a defensive-minded Pittsburgh team that relied heavily on the run game. As a result, Ward had a consistent influence as a run blocker. Ward, maybe most critically, saved his finest performance for the most critical occasions. Ward has 10 career postseason touchdowns, including two in the Super Bowl, and is ninth all-time in playoff receiving yards.
Hines Ward
DeAndre Hopkins
Playoff Stats: 136 games played (136 starts), 789 receptions, 10,581 yards, 68 TD
DeAndre Hopkins, who is only 30 years old, has already cemented his place in the Hall of Fame. The Houston draft pick topped 10,000 receiving yards in 2020 after only eight seasons in the league. Hopkins is the active NFL player with the most career receiving yards (10,581), following only Julio Jones. His 77.8 yards per game rank sixth all-time. Consider the quarterbacks Hopkins faced before to joining Deshaun Watson and Kyler Murray on the field. In 2017, Hopkins finished fourth in the voting for Offensive Player of the Year, despite starting 10 of Houston’s 16 games that year.
DeAndre Hopkins
Elroy Hirsch
Career Stats: 127 games played (102 starts), 387 receptions, 7,029 yards, 60 TD
Elroy Hirsch, a Hall of Famer, was clearly one of his generation’s top athletes. He was a versatile player who saw action for both the Chicago Rockets and the Los Angeles Rams. Hirsch spent the second half of his career as one of the league’s best wideouts, despite beginning his career as a do-it-all player (rushing for 226 yards and intercepting six passes as a rookie). Hirsch set an NFL record for receiving yards in 1951 with 1,495 yards, which was not broken for another 20 years.
Elroy Hirsch
Chad Johnson
Career Stats: 166 games played (135 starts), 766 receptions, 11,059 yards, 67 TD
The receiver known as “Ochocinco” once lit the league on fire as a distinct character with a dynamic skill set. Johnson amassed 1,100-plus receiving yards every year from 2002 through 2007, collecting five Pro Bowls and two All-Pro First-Team choices along the way. Johnson could talk a big game but couldn’t deliver on the field. He was an accomplished route runner with sure feet. His confidence was unequaled, and he utilized it to outperform the league’s best defensive backs.
Chad Johnson
Paul Warfield
Career Stats: 157 games played (152 starts), 427 receptions, 8,565 yards, 85 TD
Paul Warfield was a standout big-play threat with the ability to score from anywhere on the field. Warfield continues to have the highest yard per reception average (20.1) among NFL players with at least 300 receptions. Warfield was a quick runner who could easily blast the top off defenses. From 1968 to 1974, Warfield was a Pro Bowler every year, averaging 1,025 yards and 11 touchdowns per season. He was the team’s top receiving option during Miami’s undefeated 14-0 season in 1972. Warfield concluded the 1972 NFL season with a Super Bowl ring, one of three in his career.
Paul Warfield
Drew Pearson
Career Stats: 156 games played (143 starts), 489 receptions, 7,822 yards, 48 TD
Drew Pearson, one of the greatest wide receivers in Dallas Cowboys history, was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2021. Pearson was a Cowboy his entire career, sporting the coveted “Star” on his helmet from 1973 through 1983. During that time, the native of New Jersey was named to three All-Pro teams. Pearson’s 1,105 postseason receiving yards rank 12th all-time, and he was instrumental in the Cowboys’ Super Bowl XII victory over the Denver Broncos.
Drew Pearson
Don Maynard
Career Stats: 186 games played (159 starts), 633 receptions, 11,834 yards, 88 TD
Don Maynard, a former New York Giants draft pick, spent the majority of his career with the New York Titans (later became the Jets). The Hall of Fame wideout made the Giants regret releasing him. Maynard appeared in 123 games from 1960 to 1968, catching 499 catches for 9,351 yards and 78 touchdowns. Maynard retired as the game’s all-time receiving yardage leader (11,834). Maynard is one of just seven wideouts with at least 10,000 career yards whose career began before 1980 (he was picked in 1958). Maynard established the norm for exceptional wide receiver skills and dominated the league during the 1960s.
Don Maynard
Reggie Wayne
Career Stats: 211 games played (197 starts), 1,070 receptions, 14,345 yards, 82 TD
Reggie Wayne was highly regarded coming out of Miami in 2001, but he slid to the bottom of the first round — No. 30 overall — and into the hands of the Colts. It was easy to overlook Wayne early on while playing with Marvin Harrison. It wasn’t until his fourth season that he really took off. Wayne has six consecutive 1,000-yard seasons after hauling in 77 catches for over 1,200 yards and 12 touchdowns in 2004. Wayne evolved into a future Hall of Famer while collecting Peyton Manning passes with picture-perfect technique and unrivaled body control.
Reggie Wayne
Andre Johnson
Career Stats: 193 games played (187 starts), 1,062 receptions, 14,185 yards, 70 TD
During their first two decades as a team, the Houston Texans did not have much success. Unfortunately, this implies that Andre Johnson’s abilities were completely wasted. Johnson was an absolute powerhouse for much of his career, standing 6-foot-3 and weighing 230 pounds. Johnson possessed an uncommon combination of size and speed, and corners frequently struggled to keep up with him when he took off. Johnson, a two-time All-Pro, led the league in receptions and receiving yards twice (2006, 2008). (2008-09). It’s a shame Johnson never got to play alongside a top-tier quarterback.
Andre Johnson
Fred Biletnikoff
Career Stats: 190 games played (161 starts), 589 receptions, 8,974 yards, 76 TD
The Biletnikoff Award is given to the finest collegiate receiver for a reason, and that reason is because of this Pro Football and College Football Hall of Famer. Biletnikoff was a four-time Pro Bowler who caught 76 touchdown passes during his career. His sure hands resulted in a slew of acrobatic receptions that would leave Odell Beckham Jr. green with envy. Biletnikoff’s postseason performance is likewise etched in Raider lore. Biletnikoff scored eight touchdowns in six games early in his career, including a game against the long-time division foe Kansas City Chiefs in which he gained 180 yards and three scores. In 1976, he finally got that elusive Super Bowl ring while playing for probably the greatest Raider squad of all time.
Fred Biletnikoff
Lynn Swann
Career Stats: 116 games played (96 starts), 336 receptions, 5,462 yards, 51 TD
Lynn Swann was an All-American at the University of Southern California and is considered one of the Trojans’ all-time greats. Swann’s output and winning habits – he was the 1972 National Champion — followed him to the NFL. Swann’s statistics do not do him justice. Swann managed to score 11 touchdowns on two separate times while playing in an era when keeping the ball on the ground was the norm. Swann could grab anything in his area and take it to the house thanks to his track speed and amazing body control. The Hall of Famer was also a clutch performer, concluding his career with nine postseason touchdowns, seven of which came during Pittsburgh’s four Super Bowl-winning seasons in the 1970s.
Lynn Swann
Sterling Sharpe
Career Stats: 112 games played (112 starts), 595 receptions, 8,134 yards, 65 TD
Sharpe had an immediate impact as the seventh overall pick in the 1988 NFL Draft. Sharpe was a key member of an inexperienced Packers team from the start of his career. Sharpe topped all receivers in receptions (90), receiving yards (1,423), and touchdowns in his rookie season (12) He was excellent at avoiding press attention and virtually unstoppable once in the open field. After a pair of losing seasons, the Packers’ signing of quarterback Brett Favre helped Sharpe and the team regain relevance. Sharpe had his finest season of his career in their first season together, with 108 receptions for 1,461 yards and 13 touchdowns. Sharpe’s career ended two years later after he posted a 94/1,119/18 season due to a neck injury. Sharpe retired at the age of 29 after three All-Pro honors and five Pro Bowl appearances in seven seasons.
Sterling Sharpe
Steve Smith Sr.
Career Stats: 219 games played (198 starts), 1,031 receptions, 14,731 yards, 81 TD
If it hadn’t been for an Achilles tear at the age of 38, the future Hall of Famer may have played until he was 40. Smith, a top wideout for many years, established that height isn’t the most important factor in a receiver’s game. The veteran Panther was always carrying a chip on his shoulder. He could evade opponents with his swift feet or sprint right through them because he desired it more. Despite his small stature of 5-foot-9, Smith was an all-time outstanding chain mover with a knack for converting third downs. Smith returned to the NFL one year after losing his leg and led the league in all major receiving statistics – 103 receptions, 1,563 yards, and 12 touchdowns. During that season, Smith personified perseverance, grit, and toughness.
Steve Smith Sr.
Art Monk
Career Stats: 224 games played (194 starts), 940 receptions, 12,721 yards, 68 TD
Covering Monk was a nightmare for defensive backs in the 1980s. Monk, a 6-foot-3, 225-pound wideout, outran DBs on his way to the touchdown zone with his physique and natural quickness. The former Washington Redskin got physical during the assault. He would frighten inferior players in the red zone by boxing them out like a basketball player going for a rebound. Monk was the polar opposite of a receiver; he didn’t speak much s**t and preferred to block. Monk may have been moved to tight end given his skill set, but he was simply too good an athlete to stay within the numbers. The three-time Super Bowl champion and future Pro Football Hall of Famer was a phenomenal athlete.
Art Monk
Isaac Bruce
Career Stats: 223 games played (201 starts), 1,024 receptions, 15,208 yards, 91 TD
Bruce, the least well-known member of the Greatest Show on Turf, was a reliable performer who contributed to one of the league’s best offenses. Bruce was possibly the greatest No. 2 receiver of all time, which testifies to his ability. It takes a certain type of player to consistently perform at a high level when they are not the team’s first choice. Bruce received a lot of attention when he first joined the Rams. The Memphis product was targeted 199 times in his second season, the fifth-highest total in NFL history since targets were first tracked in 1992. Torry Holt, on the other hand, was selected with a first-round pick by the Rams in 1999. Bruce was promoted to a supporting role and thrived on short-to-intermediate routes. His dedication and longevity catapulted him to fourth all-time in career receiving yards.
Isaac Bruce
Julio Jones
Career Stats: 145 games played (144 starts), 879 receptions, 13,330 yards, 61 TD
Julio Jones might end up in the top 15 after all is said and done. Jones, who possesses exceptional athleticism, has been an NFL sensation since his debut in 2011. In 2015, the two-time All-Pro led the league in receptions (136) and yards (1,871). From 2014 to 2019, Jones had at least 83 receptions and 1,394 yards. It’s surprising that Jones hasn’t scored more touchdowns in his career, given his talent. His current season high is ten points, which he set in his sophomore campaign. Jones has dealt with injuries in the past, but there is optimism that he will regain his form alongside Tom Brady in Tampa Bay.
Julio Jones
Antonio Brown
Career Stats: 146 games played (110 starts), 928 receptions, 12,291 yards, 83 TD
Brown has been around long enough to be considered an all-time great. Brown was not a highly regarded prospect when he graduated from Central Michigan. Pittsburgh drafted him in the sixth round, and he saw limited play in his rookie season. Brown stepped it up a notch in 2011, recording the first of several 1,000-yard seasons. From 2013 to 2018, Brown recorded at least 100 receptions every year, three times leading the league in that category. Brown’s career has been hampered by numerous legal difficulties and questionable behavior. To begin, the Steelers traded Brown to Oakland prior to the 2019 season. Brown was dismissed by the team prior to the start of the season, only to be re-signed by the New England Patriots. Brown was dismissed by the Patriots after after one game due to new legal issues. Brown made an impression with the Buccaneers and contributed to their Super Bowl victory, but his questionable behavior led to his departure.
Antonio Brown
Torry Holt
Career Stats: 173 games played (158 starts), 920 receptions, 13,382 yards, 74 TD
Holt’s selection in 1999 marks the start of the Rams’ outstanding offense, called “The Greatest Show on Turf.” St. Louis would average more than 500 points per season for the next three years. Holt led the team in home runs. He had the ability to score from wherever on the field. He was never concerned about double teams because he was such an exceptional route runner. Any prospective receiver looking to enhance their double moves should watch a video of Holt’s exceptional footwork and subtle cuts. After winning the Super Bowl in his debut year, Holt went on to post six straight seasons with 1,300-plus receiving yards (tied for an NFL record with Julio Jones). Holt was overshadowed by superior receivers at the time, and he never received the credit he deserved. He will be remembered, however, as a critical component of an all-time great assault.
Torry Holt
Raymond Berry
Career Stats: 154 games played (140 starts), 631 receptions, 9,275 yards, 68 TD
You’d never tell Berry was a football player just by looking at him. He was fragile, had bad eyesight, and moved at a snail’s pace for a receiver (4.8 40-yard dash). He did, however, have the league’s best set of mitts. Berry was grabbing everything thrown her way. Regardless of how difficult the catch was, if it landed in his hands, the ball was in. He had a particular on-field relationship with Johnny Unitas, with whom he won two NFL Championships, during his career. Berry was a six-time Pro Bowler, four-time First-Team All-Pro, and twice led the NFL in receptions and receiving yards. Not bad for a player selected in the NFL Draft in the 20th round.
Raymond Berry
James Lofton
Career Stats: 233 games played (212 starts), 764 receptions, 14,004 yards, 75 TD
Speed kills in the NFL, and Lofton had it like no other. The NCAA long jumper was a superb athlete all-around, and the Green Bay Packers selected him sixth overall in the 1978 NFL Draft. Lofton’s top-end pace thrilled audiences, and he frequently left opponents in the dust on go routes. Nobody in the NFL could keep up with him once his long legs started working. Overthrowing him was nearly impossible – quarterbacks would simply loft the ball as far as they could in his direction, and Lofton would scorch his defender and settle solidly under the ball for big gains. From the start of his career, he was a major fan favorite. During his first eight years with the Packers, Lofton was named to seven Pro Bowl teams. He is currently ranked 12th all-time in receiving yards and first among players who entered the NFL in the 1970s.
James Lofton
Tim Brown
Career Stats: 255 games played (202 starts), 1,094 receptions, 14,934 yards, 100 TD
Tim Brown, the first Heisman Trophy winner, is deserving of a spot on this list. Brown was as consistent as any receiver of his period, collecting nine Pro Bowl selections and two First-Team All-Pro honors. Brown was an immediate contributor for the Los Angeles Raiders following his outstanding senior season at Notre Dame, where he established the rookie record for total yards gained (2,317). He was first used mostly as a return specialist, and he succeeded in that role. Brown had the vision of a running back and was lethal in the open field, allowing him to make big plays on special teams. Brown went on to create his Hall of Fame resume after ultimately taking over as the team’s No. 1 offensive receiver. Brown now has the most touchdowns (204), receiving yards (14,734), receptions (1,070), and all-purpose yards (1,070) on the team (19,431). When you consider how many all-time great players have donned the Silver and Black, the accomplishments are quite astonishing.
Tim Brown
Michael Irvin
Career Stats: 159 games played (147 starts), 750 receptions, 11,904 yards, 65 TD
The Playmaker triumphed everywhere he went. In three seasons at the University of Miami, Irvin only lost three games. During that time, the Hurricanes won the Sugar Bowl, Fiesta Bowl, and National Championship. The Dallas Cowboys drafted him, and his Miami coach (Jimmy Johnson) soon followed. In the 1990s, the two contributed in the establishment of the Cowboys’ dynasty. Irvin was good enough during the regular season to make five Pro Bowls, but he saved his best performances for the playoffs. Irvin, who is presently third all-time in career postseason receiving yards, produced clutch plays on his way to three Super Bowl rings.
Michael Irvin
Cris Carter
Career Stats: 234 games played (209 starts), 1,101 receptions, 13,899 yards, 130 TD
Carter worked as a human highlight reel for the Minnesota Vikings before becoming a Fox Sports analyst. The eight-time Pro Bowler was a catching machine who could make even the most difficult receptions look easy. He looked to finish his catches with only one hand at times, seemingly out of boredom. He was difficult to defend in the red zone due to his catch radius, as he routinely scored touchdowns against tight coverage. The Vikings drafted Randy Moss in 1998, and the two created one of the league’s most dangerous tandems. During Moss’ first two seasons, Carter caught 25 touchdown passes. CC retired as the all-time leader in both receptions (1,101) and touchdowns (1,101). (130).
Cris Carter
Marvin Harrison
Career Stats: 190 games played (188 starts), 1,102 receptions, 14,580 yards, 128 TD
It’s terrifying to think about what kind of figures Harrison may have put up in today’s pass-happy NFL. During Peyton Manning’s remarkable 13-year career, his favorite wideout was the ultimate safety net. Harrison, who was reserved and serious, didn’t have to talk trash in order to get an advantage over his opponents; he just let his performance speak for itself. With a broad route tree, the sly receiver was quick and fluid. He and Manning have the most QB-WR touchdown passes (114), with second place not far behind (92). Harrison’s consistency sets him apart from his peers. Harrison gained at least 1,100 yards and 10 touchdowns in every season from 1999 through 2006. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2016, after helping Indianapolis win their second Super Bowl in 2007.
Marvin Harrison
Calvin Johnson
Career Stats: 135 games played (130 starts), 731 receptions, 11,619 yards, 83 TD
Many athletic players have come and gone in the NFL, and Johnson is possibly the most athletic of them ever. The 6-foot-5, 240-pound wideout, called “Megatron,” seemed more like a machine than a human. In each situation, he could outmaneuver defenders. Johnson was huge, quick (4.3 40-yard dash), and could leap like a basketball player. Johnson was available even when opponents had their arms around him because he could explode like no one else and make a jaw-dropping play on the ball. Johnson, dubbed the “next big thing,” eventually put everything together in a decisive 2012 campaign. That year, Johnson had 122 catches for a career-high 1,964 yards. He holds practically every receiving record with the Lions and will almost probably be inducted into the Hall of Fame in the near future.
Calvin Johnson
Steve Largent
Career Stats: 200 games played (197 starts), 819 receptions, 13,089 yards, 100 TD
Prior to a successful political career in the United States House of Representatives, Largent was a standout receiver for the Seattle Seahawks. Largent lacked the metrics that organizations looked for in a receiver. He wasn’t particularly tall, fast, or strong, but he was exceedingly sure-handed and played with assurance. Before Jerry Rice, Largent was the gold standard for receivers, setting records for career receptions, receiving yards, and touchdowns. He earned the hearts of a passionate Seattle fan base with his tough play and sticky hands.
Steve Largent
Lance Alworth
Career Stats: 136 games played (127 starts), 542 receptions, 10,266 yards, 85 TD
Alworth is credited with inventing the vertical attack. During the 1960s, the explosive Charger receiver showed the NFL how effective a spread system can be with the right weapons. Alworth was an outside dynamo who averaged nearly 19 yards per catch during his career. Every time he touched the ball, he might have scored six points. Alworth holds the career record with 12 70-yard touchdown receptions. He topped the AFL in all three main receiving categories three times and is widely recognized as one of the greatest Chargers players of all time.
Lance Alworth
Larry Fitzgerald
Career Stats: 263 games played (261 starts), 1,432 receptions, 17,492 yards, 121 TD
Larry Fitzgerald never misses a throw. If it hits his hands, it’s coming down for a catch. Since 2004, Fitz has appeared in 250 games for the Cardinals. In the 250 fights, the legend has been targeted 2,263 times. Fitzgerald has only had 29 drops in his career, and he has more tackles (39) than drops. Allow that to soak in for a moment. Fitzgerald recreated himself admirably as he grew older. The former third-round choice came into the NFL as an outside receiver who could blow the top off defenses. When he turned 30, he moved closer to the ball and developed into a great short route runner. Fitz set the record for most receptions (30), receiving yards (546), and receiving touchdowns (7) by a single player in a single postseason in the 2008 playoffs.
Larry Fitzgerald
Terrell Owens
Career Stats: 219 games played (201 starts), 1,078 receptions, 15,934 yards, 153 TD
Owens’ three-year wait to be elected into the Pro Football Hall of Fame was a farce. The outspoken receiver has had multiple run-ins with the press, but his play on the field speaks for itself. Most receivers deteriorate after a certain number of years, while a select few may detect this decline early and resign before it happens – Owens was the exception to both of these scenarios. Owens, 46, appears to be a candidate for an NFL roster spot right now. In 2010, he led the Bengals in receiving yards and touchdowns (his 15th season). He was an early Julio Jones, with his bodybuilder frame and explosive first stride.
Terrell Owens
Don Hutson
Career Stats: 116 games played (60 starts), 488 receptions, 7,991 yards, 99 TD
There must be a reason why you have a stadium named after you. In his day, Hutson was a downfield threat with a make-you-miss wiggle and true top-end speed. He lived in the end zone during the 1930s and 1940s. Hutson had a touchdown every 4.9 receptions, far beating all-time greats like as Jerry Rice (7.8), Randy Moss (6.2), and Terrell Owens (4.9). (4.9). (7.04). Hutson retired as the all-time receiving touchdowns leader by a wide margin; any player who has since passed him did not begin their career until 1976. He held a number of other records at the time of his retirement. His most remarkable effort came against the Detroit Lions in his final season, when he scored four touchdowns in a single quarter.
Don Hutson
Randy Moss
Career Stats: 218 games played (193 starts), 982 receptions, 15,292 yards, 156 TD
Moss’ nickname is “The Freak” and it tells you everything you need to know about his playing. He was a physical representation of a video game character. 4.3 speed and a 40-inch vertical are inconceivable inside a 6-foot-4 torso. Off-the-field troubles pushed him down the selection board, but few rookies had a bigger impact than Moss. In his debut season, the Marshall sensation scored 17 touchdowns, laying the framework for a famous career. Moss was eventually paired with gunslinger Daunte Culpepper, creating a dynamic duo, although his greatest potential was not realized until 2007. With Tom Brady and the potent New England offense, Moss set the record for most touchdown receptions in a season (23). His easygoing nature and ability to execute deep passes earned him a devoted fan base and a place in the Hall of Fame.
Randy Moss
Jerry Rice
Career Stats: 303 games played (284 starts), 1,549 receptions, 22,895 yards, 197 TD
Rice is the end-all and be-all of wide receivers. Every WR in the league has attempted to model a small aspect of their game after him over the previous two decades. He wasn’t the fastest, tallest, or most athletic person in the room, but he didn’t have to be. Rice possessed the most sure hands in football history and ran clean patterns that allowed his quarterbacks to pass more easily. Throughout his career, he completely annihilated every record. He leads the field in each category by 171 receptions, 5,812 yards, and 41 touchdowns. Many consider him to be the greatest player of all time, regardless of position, due to his overwhelming dominance over the rest of the position.
Jerry Rice