Mike Evans
Career Stats: 122 games played (121 starts), 606 receptions, 9,301 yards, 75 TD
Mike Evans, who is currently in his ninth season, could announce his retirement tomorrow and be overjoyed with his work. The Texas A&M product has always been a better wideout than average. Evans, a 6-foot-5 target, has eight seasons in which he has ended with more than 1,000 receiving yards; his most recent career high is 1,524 yards in 2018. One of the best red zone threats in the game is the four-time Pro Bowler. Along with making the most of his gigantic stature, Evans is excellent at catching the ball at its highest point. Evans has scored 75 touchdowns as a result, including 27 in the two seasons that Tom Brady has led the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Evans has plenty of time to climb the rankings as he’ll be 29 when the season starts in 2022.
Mike Evans
Charlie Joiner
Career Stats: 239 games played (211 starts), 750 receptions, 12,146 yards, 65 TD
Fourth-round pick Charlie Joiner worked his way up to the Hall of Fame. The Houston Oilers selected Joiner, a 5-foot-11 wideout from Grambling State, in the fourth round of the 1969 NFL Draft. Before moving to receiver late in his rookie season, Joiner played defensive back for the Oilers at the start of his career. After spending a short time with the Bengals and Oilers, Joiner signed with the San Diego Chargers in 1976. In that year, Joiner caught 50 passes for 1,056 receiving yards and seven touchdowns. With 71 receptions, 1,132 yards, and four touchdowns in 1980, Joiner was an All-Pro. After the 1986 NFL season, Joiner, the league’s all-time leader in receptions and receiving yards, announced his retirement at the age of 39.
Charlie Joiner
Cooper Kupp
Career Stats: 71 games played (57 starts), 433 receptions, 5,517 yards, 40 TD
Even though Cooper Kupp is into his sixth NFL season, the former Eastern Washington standout has already made his stamp on the annals of NFL history. Kupp, a wide receiver for the Los Angeles Rams, has quickly advanced from a competent player to a superstar. Kupp led the NFL with 145 receptions for 1,947 yards and 16 touchdowns in 2021, taking home the receiving triple crown.Kupp performed equally well in the postseason. In Los Angeles’ four triumphs, including two each in the NFC Championship and Super Bowl, Kupp scored a touchdown. In the last three games, Kupp has gained 183, 142, and 92 yards for the Rams. The Super Bowl MVP vote went to him as well.
Cooper Kupp
Charley Taylor
Career Stats: 165 games played (157 starts), 649 receptions, 9,110 yards, 79 TD
Charley Taylor was taken by the Washington Redskins with the third overall pick in the 1964 NFL Draft. Taylor became famous as soon as he joined the franchise. Taylor ran for 755 yards and five scores in addition to catching 53 passes for 814 yards and five touchdowns, earning him the AP Rookie of the Year award. With 72 receptions, Taylor had the most in the NFL in Year 3. The next year, he duplicated the mark (catching 70 passes), capping a two-year stretch with 2,109 yards and 21 receiving touchdowns. When Taylor retired in 1977, he held the record for most catches in the NFL.
Charley Taylor
Tyreek Hill
Career Stats: 91 games played (73 starts), 479 receptions, 6,630 yards, 56 TD
Over the first six seasons of his career, Tyreek Hill solidified his place in history. The Kansas City Chiefs selected Hill in the fifth round of the 2016 NFL Draft, and as a rookie, he went on to earn All-Pro honors. Hill, who went by the moniker “Cheetah” due to his extraordinary speed, developed a tendency of outrunning even the quickest defenders early in his career. One of the most feared QB/WR combinations in the league was formed in Kansas City when Hill hooked up with quarterback sensation Patrick Mahomes. While playing for the Chiefs, Hill was selected as an All-Pro three times and participated in every Pro Bowl. Prior to the 2022 season, the Miami Dolphins acquired Hill. In place of Mahomes at quarterback, Tua Tagovailoa will be used instead.
Tyreek Hill
Andre Reed
Career Stats: 234 games played (217 starts), 951 receptions, 13,198 yards, 87 TD
The Buffalo Bills gave fourth-round pick Andre Reed his chance, and he made the most of it. For 15 years, Reed in Buffalo broke all the records and established himself as a franchise legend. The team’s success coincided with that of the best wide receiver. During Buffalo’s four-year Super Bowl run from 1990 to 1993, Reed hauled in 269 passes for 3,825 yards and 27 touchdowns. From 1988 until 1994, Reed was named for 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
Anquan Boldin has caught more passes in NFL history than all but eight wide receivers combined. Boldin played college football for Florida State before being selected by the NFL in the second round of the 2003 Draft. During the first seven years of his career, Boldin was a member of the Arizona Cardinals. At that time, Boldin was a three-time Pro Bowler who amassed over 7,500 yards and 44 touchdowns. With 100.1 receiving yards per game in his third season, the former Seminole set a career high and led the NFL. Boldin remained a threat for the whole of his 14-year career.
Anquan Boldin
Davante Adams
Career Stats: 116 games played (109 starts), 669 receptions, 8,121 yards, 73 TD
Aaron Rodgers, one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time, provided Davante Adams with throws during the first eight years of his career. Adams had more than 1,300 yards at the end of his three seasons in Green Bay. In his final year with the Packers in 2021, Adams set a career high with 1,553 receiving yards. Adams has had five seasons with at least 10 touchdowns, with a career-high 18 in 2020. Adams, a two-time All-Pro, can now add playing for the Las Vegas Raiders to his résumé.
Davante Adams
Hines Ward
Playoff Stats: 217 games played (190 starts), 1,000 receptions, 12,083 yards, 85 TD
Hines Ward wasn’t much more than a productive football player. The Steelers made the playoffs eight times during his productive career, winning two Super Bowls along the way. In every element of the game, he played exceptionally well. Ward lacks some of his colleagues’ stunning physiques. The majority of that is attributable to the fact that he was a member of a Pittsburgh team that prioritized defense and aggressively utilized the run game. Ward consequently consistently had an impact as a run blocker. Perhaps most crucially, Ward always kept his greatest performance for the most critical circumstances. Ward has accumulated 10 postseason touchdowns in his career, including two in the Super Bowl, and is eighth all-time in playoffs receiving yards.
Hines Ward
DeAndre Hopkins
Playoff Stats: 136 games played (136 starts), 789 receptions, 10,581 yards, 68 TD
Even though he is only 30 years old, DeAndre Hopkins has already made a name for himself in the Hall of Fame. The Houston draft pick topped 10,000 receiving yards in 2020, just eight seasons into his career. Only Julio Jones has more career receiving yards (10,581) than Hopkins, who is currently an active member of the NFL. He ranks sixth all-time in yards gained per game with 77.8. Think about the quarterbacks Hopkins faced prior to playing alongside Kyler Murray and Deshaun Watson. Tom Savage and T.J. Yates started 10 of Houston’s 16 games that year, and Hopkins came in fourth in the voting for offensive player of the year.
DeAndre Hopkins
Elroy Hirsch
Career Stats: 127 games played (102 starts), 387 receptions, 7,029 yards, 60 TD
Unquestionably one of the best athletes of his period was Elroy Hirsch, a Hall of Famer. For the Los Angeles Rams as well as the Chicago Rockets, he participated in every position on the field. Hirsch spent the latter half of his career as one of the best wide receivers in the game, while starting off as a player who could do it all (rushing for 226 yards and intercepting six passes as a rookie). Hirsch established an NFL record in 1951 with 1,495 receiving yards; it wasn’t surpassed for another 20 years.
Elroy Hirsch
Chad Johnson
Career Stats: 166 games played (135 starts), 766 receptions, 11,059 yards, 67 TD
When he played, the receiver once known as “Ochocinco” ignited the league with his charismatic personality and versatile skill set. Johnson amassed 1,100+ receiving yards annually from 2002 through 2007, winning five Pro Bowls and being named to two All-Pro First-Teams along the way. Johnson could talk a great game, but on the field, he was ineffective. He had sure hands and was a skilled route runner. He had unmatched confidence, which he exploited to his advantage against the best defensive backs in the league.
Chad Johnson
Paul Warfield
Career Stats: 157 games played (152 starts), 427 receptions, 8,565 yards, 85 TD
Premier big-play threat Paul Warfield could score from anywhere on the field. Among NFL players with at least 300 receptions, Warfield continues to have the highest yard per reception average (20.1) Warfield was a quick runner who could easily breach defenses. From 1968 until 1974, Warfield averaged 1,025 yards and 11 touchdowns every season, making him a Pro Bowler each year. He was the team’s main receiving option in 1972, Miami’s undefeated 14-0 season. One of the three NFL championships Warfield won in his career came at the end of the 1972 campaign in the form of a Super Bowl ring.
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, attained the highest honor when he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2021. From 1973 until 1983, Pearson, a Cowboy for his entire career, wore the coveted “Star” on his helmet. The native of New Jersey was selected for three All-Pro teams during that time. Pearson, who is ranked 12th all-time in postseason receiving yards with 1,105, was particularly important to the Cowboys’ victory over the Denver Broncos in Super Bowl XII.
Drew Pearson
Don Maynard
Career Stats: 186 games played (159 starts), 633 receptions, 11,834 yards, 88 TD
Don Maynard began his career as a New York Giants draft pick, but played the majority of his career for the New York Titans (later became the Jets). The Giants will always regret letting the Hall of Fame wide receiver go. Maynard participated in 123 games between 1960 and 1968, catching 499 catches for 9,351 yards, and scoring 78 touchdowns. Maynard retired with the most receiving yards in the history of the sport (11,834). Maynard is one of just seven wide receivers whose career started before 1980 (he was picked in ’58) among the 50 wide receivers with at least 10,000 career yards. Throughout the 1960s, Maynard dominated the league and established the bar for elite WR play.
Don Maynard
Reggie Wayne
Career Stats: 211 games played (197 starts), 1,070 receptions, 14,345 yards, 82 TD
Reggie Wayne was a highly regarded wide receiver coming out of Miami in 2001, yet he was selected by the Colts in the bottom of the first round, at number 30 overall. Early on, it was simple to ignore Wayne because he was playing with Marvin Harrison. He didn’t start to really take off until his fourth season. Wayne went on a six-year streak of 1,000-yard receiving seasons after catching 77 passes for more over 1,200 yards and 12 touchdowns in 2004. Wayne was able to catch passes from Peyton Manning with picture-perfect technique and remarkable body control, making him a possible Hall of Famer.
Reggie Wayne
Andre Johnson
Career Stats: 193 games played (187 starts), 1,062 receptions, 14,185 yards, 70 TD
In their first two decades as a team, the Houston Texans have not had a lot of success. Sadly, this means that Andre Johnson’s abilities were essentially wasted. Johnson was an absolute force for the majority of his career at 6-foot-3 and 230 pounds. Johnson had an uncommon combination of stature and speed; defenses frequently found it difficult to keep up with the receiver once he took off. Johnson, a two-time All-Pro, twice topped the league in both receptions and receiving yards (in 2006 and 2008). (2008-09). It is unfortunate that Johnson was never paired with a top quarterback.
Andre Johnson
Fred Biletnikoff
Career Stats: 190 games played (161 starts), 589 receptions, 8,974 yards, 76 TD
This Pro Football and College Football Hall of Famer is the reason why the top collegiate receiver receives the Biletnikoff Award. Biletnikoff, a four-time Pro Bowler, caught 76 touchdown passes throughout the course of his career. With his sure hands, Biletnikoff made numerous daring receptions that would have made Odell Beckham Jr. envious. His performance in the postseason also solidified his place in Raiders history. Early in his career, Biletnikoff tallied eight touchdowns in six games, including a contest against the longtime division foe Kansas City Chiefs in which he amassed 180 yards and three scores. While playing for probably the greatest Raider squad of all time in 1976, he finally earned that coveted Super Bowl ring.
Fred Biletnikoff
Lynn Swann
Career Stats: 116 games played (96 starts), 336 receptions, 5,462 yards, 51 TD
Lynn Swann attended the University of Southern California where she was an All-American and one of the greatest Trojans in school history. Swann’s success in the NFL was expected given that he was the 1972 National Champion. Swann’s statistics do him no justice. Swann managed to score 11 touchdowns twice while playing at a time when keeping the ball on the ground was typical and was very important to his team. Swann could catch anything nearby and carry it to the house thanks to his exceptional body control and track speed. A clutch performer, the Hall of Famer finished his career with nine postseason touchdowns, including seven 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 made a significant contribution right away after going seventh overall in the 1988 NFL Draft. Sharpe had a prominent role on a young Packers team early in his career. In his rookie season, Sharpe finished second among receivers in receptions with 90, receiving yards with 1,423, and touchdowns with 12. He was excellent at eluding press coverage and virtually unstoppable once in the open field. Sharpe and the team were able to reclaim importance after two seasons in which the Packers struggled to win thanks to the signing of quarterback Brett Favre. With 108 grabs for 1,461 yards and 13 touchdowns in their first season together, Sharpe had his finest season of his career. After posting a 94/1,119/18 season, Sharpe’s career was ended two years later due to a neck condition. After three All-Pro choices and five Pro Bowl berths in seven seasons, Sharpe’s playing days were over at the age of 29.
Sterling Sharpe
Steve Smith Sr.
Career Stats: 219 games played (198 starts), 1,031 receptions, 14,731 yards, 81 TD
With 108 grabs for 1,461 yards and 13 touchdowns in their first season together, Sharpe had his finest season of his career. After posting a 94/1,119/18 season, Sharpe’s career was ended two years later due to a neck condition. After three All-Pro choices and five Pro Bowl berths in seven seasons, Sharpe’s playing days were over at the age of 29.He could race through or around opponents with his lightning-fast feet because he desired it so badly. Despite only being 5-foot-9, Smith was an exceptional chain mover with a flair for making third down conversions. One year after losing his leg, in 2005, Smith returned to the NFL and immediately set league records for 103 receptions, 1,563 yards, and 12 touchdowns. Throughout that period, Smith was the epitome of tenacity, toughness, and perseverance.
Steve Smith Sr.
Art Monk
Career Stats: 224 games played (194 starts), 940 receptions, 12,721 yards, 68 TD
In the 1980s, defensive backs had nightmares of defending Monk. Monk, a wide receiver who stands 6 feet 3 inches tall and weighs 210 pounds, used his body and athleticism to outrun DBs on his way to the end zone. The former Washington Redskin was forceful while assaulting. He would scare less talented players in the red zone by boxing them out like a basketball player going for a rebound. Monk was essentially the anti-receiver since he avoided talking much and preferred to block. Monk might have been converted to tight end given his skill set, but he was simply too excellent of an athlete to stay within the numbers. The Pro Football Hall of Famer and three-time Super Bowl victor was a superb athlete.
Art Monk
Isaac Bruce
Career Stats: 223 games played (201 starts), 1,024 receptions, 15,208 yards, 91 TD
The least well-known member of the Greatest Show on Turf, Bruce, was a reliable performer who contributed to the development of one of the league’s best offenses. Bruce had talent because he was perhaps the best No. 2 receiver of all time. In order to consistently perform at a high level when they are not the team’s first choice, a certain type of player is needed. When Bruce first joined the Rams, he received a lot of attention. The Memphis product was targeted 199 times in his second season, which is the fifth-highest total in NFL history since targets began to be kept track of in 1992. Torry Holt, though, was acquired by the Rams in 1999 using a first-round pick. Bruce switched to a supporting role and excelled on short- to medium-distance courses. He rose to fourth place all-time in receiving yards thanks to his dedication and extraordinary longevity.
Isaac Bruce
Julio Jones
Career Stats: 145 games played (144 starts), 879 receptions, 13,330 yards, 61 TD
After all is said and done, Julio Jones may finish in the top 15. Since his NFL debut in 2011, Jones has caused a sensation thanks to his incredible athleticism. In 2015, the two-time All-Pro led the league in both receptions (136) and yards (1,871). Between 2014 and 2019, Jones had at least 83 catches for at least 1,394 yards. It’s odd that Jones hasn’t recorded more touchdowns in his career for someone with his skill level. Ten points, which he set in his second season, are his current season high. Although Jones has a history of ailments, there is optimism that in Tampa Bay, playing with Tom Brady, he will regain his form.
Julio Jones
Antonio Brown
Career Stats: 146 games played (110 starts), 928 receptions, 12,291 yards, 83 TD
The moment has come for us to start referring to Brown as an all-time great. Coming out of Central Michigan, Brown wasn’t a recruit with a lot of promise. He was selected by Pittsburgh in the sixth round of the draft, and he played sparingly in his first year. Brown stepped it up in 2011, compiling the first of several seasons with 1,000 yards. From 2013 to 2018, Brown had at least 100 receptions per year, three times leading the league in that metric. Brown’s career has been hindered by numerous legal problems and generally dubious behavior. First, the Steelers sent Brown to Oakland before the 2019 season. Prior to the start of the season, Brown was released by the team, only to be re-signed by the New England Patriots. Due to new legal issues, Brown was released by the Pats after just one game. Brown left the Buccaneers after making an impression and contributing to their Super Bowl victory. His questionable behavior was the reason for this.
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, dubbed “The Greatest Show on Turf,” which would score more than 500 points annually on average for the following three seasons. The team’s leading home run hitter was Holt. From any location on the field, he could score. He was such a good route runner that double teams never bothered him. Watching a video of Holt’s excellent footwork and cunning cuts should be must viewing for every aspiring receiver looking to enhance their double moves. After winning the Super Bowl in his debut season, Holt went on to post six straight seasons with 1,300 or more receiving yards (tied for an NFL record with Julio Jones). Holt never received the respect he deserved because superior receivers at the time overshadowed him. But he will live on as a crucial part of one of the greatest offensives ever.
Torry Holt
Raymond Berry
Career Stats: 154 games played (140 starts), 631 receptions, 9,275 yards, 68 TD
Berry does not look like a football player at all. He moved far too slowly for a receiver due to his frailty, poor vision, and slowness (4.8 40-yard dash). However, he did possess the best set of mitts in the league. Everything that was thrown at Berry she was catching. No matter how difficult the catch was, if it landed in his hands, the ball would be taken. He developed a unique on-field bond with Johnny Unitas throughout the course of his career, and the two of them shared two NFL Championships. Berry led the league in receptions and receiving yards twice and was a six-time Pro Bowler and four-time First Team All-Pro. Not bad for a player selected in the NFL Draft’s 20th round.
Raymond Berry
James Lofton
Career Stats: 233 games played (212 starts), 764 receptions, 14,004 yards, 75 TD
Speed is deadly in the NFL, and Lofton had unmatched wheels. The Green Bay Packers selected the outstanding all-around athlete who competed in the long jump at the collegiate level sixth overall in the 1978 NFL Draft. Lofton’s top-end pace enlivened crowds and frequently left rivals in the dust on go routes. Once he got his long legs moving, no one in the NFL could keep up with him. Since quarterbacks would just loft the ball as far as they could in his direction, Lofton would scorch his defender and settle firmly under the ball for significant gains, making it virtually hard to overthrow him. From the start of his career, he was a major favorite of the audience. During his first eight years with the Packers, Lofton was selected to seven Pro Bowl teams. He currently holds the top spot among players who started their NFL careers in the 1970s and is ranked 12th all-time in receiving yards.
James Lofton
Tim Brown
Career Stats: 255 games played (202 starts), 1,094 receptions, 14,934 yards, 100 TD
This list should include Tim Brown, the first receiver to win the Heisman Trophy. Brown received two First-Team All-Pro honors and nine Pro Bowl nods, making him the most consistent receiver of his time. After his outstanding last season at Notre Dame, Brown immediately started to contribute for the Los Angeles Raiders, setting the rookie record for most total yards gained (2,317). He was first mostly used as a return specialist, and he was excellent in that role. Brown’s open-field lethality and running back-like vision make him a potential star on special teams where he may make huge plays. Brown eventually took over as the team’s top offensive receiver, and from there he went on to build his Hall of Fame résumé. In terms of touchdowns (204), receiving yards (14,734), receptions (1,070), and all-purpose yards, Brown now holds the club lead (1,070). (19,431). They are truly amazing accomplishments when you consider how many all-time great players have donned the Silver and Black.
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 his three seasons at the University of Miami, Irvin only lost three games. During that time, the Hurricanes won the National Championship, Sugar Bowl, and Fiesta Bowl. His Miami coach (Jimmy Johnson) was chosen before him by the Dallas Cowboys. The two contributed to the 1990s Cowboys dynasty’s growth. Irvin was good enough during the regular season to be selected for five Pro Bowls, but he saved his best performances for the postseason. On his way to three Super Bowl rings, Irvin, who is presently third all-time in postseason receiving yards, made plays when they mattered the most.
Michael Irvin
Cris Carter
Career Stats: 234 games played (209 starts), 1,101 receptions, 13,899 yards, 130 TD
Before making his studio debut as a Fox Sports analyst, Carter served as a walking highlight reel for the Minnesota Vikings. The eight-time Pro Bowler was an expert catcher who could make even the trickiest catches look simple. He sometimes looked to finish his catches with just one hand because he was bored. He was challenging to defend in the red zone due to his wide grab radius because he routinely scored touchdowns against tight coverage. The Vikings selected Randy Moss in the 1998 NFL Draft, and the two went on to form one of the league’s most dangerous combinations. Over the course of Moss’ first two seasons, Carter caught 25 touchdown passes. When CC retired, he held the record for both receiving touchdowns (1,101) and receptions (130).
Cris Carter
Marvin Harrison
Career Stats: 190 games played (188 starts), 1,102 receptions, 14,580 yards, 128 TD
It’s unsettling to imagine what kind of figures Harrison may have amassed in the NFL of today, where passing is encouraged. The ultimate safety net during his remarkable 13-year career was Peyton Manning’s go-to wideout. Harrison, who was severe and restrained, didn’t need to speak badly about his rivals to gain an advantage; he just let his performance speak for itself. The sly receiver had a lengthy route tree and was swift and fluid. He and Manning have 114 touchdown passes amongst quarterbacks and wide receivers, with second place being not far behind (92). Harrison stands out from his coworkers because of his consistency. Harrison has at least 1,100 yards and 10 touchdowns every season from 1999 to 2006. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2016 and helped 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
Johnson may be the most athletic NFL player ever. There have been many other athletic guys that have come and gone. The wide receiver, known as “Megatron,” stood 6 feet 5 inches tall and weighed 240 pounds. He was adept at outwitting opponents in any way. Johnson was tall, quick (4.3 40-yard dash), and able to make basketball player-like leaps. Johnson could erupt like no one else and perform a jaw-dropping move on the ball, making him open even when opponents had their arms around him. Johnson, who was hailed as the up-and-comer, finally brought it all together in a successful 2012 campaign. That year, Johnson had 122 receptions for a career-high 1,964 yards. He holds practically all of the receiving records for the Lions, and he will most likely be inducted into the Hall of Fame soon.
Calvin Johnson
Steve Largent
Career Stats: 200 games played (197 starts), 819 receptions, 13,089 yards, 100 TD
Largent had a successful political career in the US House of Representatives before becoming a great receiver for the Seattle Seahawks. Teams looked for certain metrics in a receiver, but Largent lacked them. Although he wasn’t particularly tall, swift, or strong, he had very sure hands and played with a lot of assurance. Before Jerry Rice, Largent set records for lifetime receptions, receiving yards, and touchdowns, making him the ideal wide receiver. 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 developing the vertical attack. The dynamic Charger receiver showed the NFL in the 1960s how successful a spread offense can be when equipped with the right set of weapons. Alworth was a powerhouse on the outside, averaging over 19 yards per catch throughout his career. Each time he touched the ball, he had a chance to score six points. Alworth still holds the record with 12 touchdown receptions of 70 yards or more in a career. One of the greatest Chargers players in the team’s history, he topped the AFL in each of the three major receiving categories three times.
Lance Alworth
Larry Fitzgerald
Career Stats: 263 games played (261 starts), 1,432 receptions, 17,492 yards, 121 TD
Throws are never dropped by Larry Fitzgerald. If it lands in his hands, it will be caught. Since 2004, Fitz has participated in 250 games with the Cardinals. In the 250 battles, the legend has been targeted 2,263 times. With only 29 career drops, Fitzgerald is so sure-handed that he has more tackles (39 total) than drops. Let that idea sink in. With age, Fitzgerald successfully recreated himself. The former third-round selection came into the league as an outside receiver who could flatten defenses. Once he approached 30 years old, he moved closer to the ball and developed into an adept short route runner. The most remarkable feat Fitz accomplished was setting the record for the most receptions (30), receiving yards (546), and receiving touchdowns (7) by a single player in a single postseason during the 2008 playoffs.
Larry Fitzgerald
Terrell Owens
Career Stats: 219 games played (201 starts), 1,078 receptions, 15,934 yards, 153 TD
The three-year wait for Owens’ induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame was absurd. The brash receiver has had numerous run-ins with the press, but his on-field success speaks for itself. Owens was the exception to both of these circumstances. The majority of receivers fall after a certain number of years, but a chosen handful are able to see this decline early and stop before it occurs. Owens, 46, appears as though he may be currently on an NFL roster. In 2010, he was the Bengals’ top receiver in terms of yards and scores (his 15th season). He was a forerunner of Julio Jones with his bodybuilder figure and powerful first step.
Terrell Owens
Don Hutson
Career Stats: 116 games played (60 starts), 488 receptions, 7,991 yards, 99 TD
You unquestionably have a stadium named after you for a reason. In his day, Hutson was a downfield threat with a make-you-miss wiggle and real top-end speed. He resided at the end zone during the years of 1930 and 1940. Hutson far outperformed all-time greats like Jerry Rice (7.8), Randy Moss (6.2), and Terrell Owens by averaging a touchdown every 4.9 receptions (4.9). (7.04). When Hutson retired, he had a significant lead over all other players in receiving touchdowns; the players who have since passed him did not start their careers until 1976. He held a number of other records at the time of his retirement. His most illustrious effort occurred 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 goes by the moniker “The Freak,” which sums up everything about his style of play. He was a character from a computer game brought to life. 4.3 speed with a 40-inch vertical are simply unimaginable inside a 6-foot-4 torso. Few rookies had a bigger impact than Moss, despite the fact that his off-the-field problems caused him to slip in the selection. The Marshall sensation established the foundation for an illustrious career by scoring 17 touchdowns in his rookie campaign. The dynamic duo of Moss and gunslinger Daunte Culpepper was finally formed, but it wasn’t until 2007 that his full potential was realized. Tom Brady and the potent New England attack helped Moss set the record for most touchdown receptions in a season (23). He gained a devoted fan base and a place in the Hall of Fame thanks to his laid-back personality and long pass execution skills.
Randy Moss
Jerry Rice
Career Stats: 303 games played (284 starts), 1,549 receptions, 22,895 yards, 197 TD
The pinnacle of all receivers is Rice. Every WR in the league has made an effort to model a minor aspect of their game after him during the past 20 years. It was unnecessary for him to be the fastest, tallest, or most athletic person. Rice ran clear patterns and possessed the most sure hands in football history, which made it easier for his quarterbacks to complete passes. He completely destroyed every record he ever set throughout his career. He has 171 more receptions than the runner-up, 5,812 more yards, and 41 more touchdowns. Many consider him to be the best player of all time, regardless of position, due to his overwhelming dominance over the rest of the group at his position.
Jerry Rice