After a lot of thought, I created this list of the top 10 best NFL receivers ever.
Keep in mind when I created this list I didn't just use numbers and touchdowns—I used raw talent combined with the team they were on, such as the QB they were being thrown to from.
So here it goes...
1. Jerry Rice
He is without a doubt the best receiver of all time. Just look at his numbers and the records he holds.
2. Randy Moss
Even though Moss has yet to retire, you have to admire what he has done on the field. He is one of the only players with the ability to make any NFL cornerback look like a high schooler. There is nobody on this list who is as physically dominating.
3. Michael Irvin
Sure, he was the master of the push-off his entire NFL career, but there is no arguing his numbers. He helped the cowboys earn three Super Bowl victories and become one of the great dynasties in the early 90s.
4. Marvin Harrison
Harrison and Peyton Manning combined to become one of the best quarterback-receiver tandems of this generation. His hard work, studying of game film, and running routes have turned him into a future Hall of Famer.
5. Steve Largent
He wasn't very fast, but he would always find a way to get open. He proved that speed and jumping ability weren't a must for NFL receivers. He was also the first to ever reach the 100 TD mark.
6. Cris Carter
Hands down the best hands to ever play in the NFL. He caught everything thrown his way. He will be remembered as one of the biggest red zone threats to ever play the game.
7. Terrell Owens
His off field antics aside, you cannot deny his skill and talent. I would have him higher on this list if he wasn't such a drama queen. He doesn't exactly have the speed, but has become a model for today's physical receivers. If he produces at this level for the rest of his career, he will be top five.
8. James Lofton
Produced 1,000-yard seasons like it was nothing. He turned out to be one of the best of all time. He had a 1,000 yard season when he was 35, and retired being at the top of his game.
9. Lynn Swann
Many lists would leave Swann out because his numbers weren't staggering. But he was one of the most acrobatic receivers to ever play the game. During his time, he set an NFL record of receiving yards in a Super Bowl, with 161 yards.
10. Tim Brown
He currently owns almost every receiving record for the Raiders. Had nine straight 1,000+ yard seasons and finished his career with 105 receiving touchdowns and 15,000 yards. Those numbers speak for themselves.
Just missed the cut: Don Huston, Isaac Bruce, Tory Holt, Andre Reed, Jimmy Smith, Art Monk.
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3 months ago
i like your top 10 but i believe that Terrell Owens should be at least fifth. In my opinion, randy moss can get to be as great or better than Jerry Rice was with the help of TOM BRADY (probably best QB that ever played the game).
from 3 months ago
Oh please, Tom Brady is the beneficiary of having of one of the NFL's greatest coaches, playing with a dynamite defense for years, and having Randy Moss. Everyone seems to forget that Daunte Culpepper threw for 39 TDs one year, you know why? Because he had Randy Moss. Same thing with Brady, the kid never threw for over 30 TD's til this year. Now I know that Randy Moss isn't the only reason that Brady had such a good year. Still though, Brady has one stellar year and everyone gets a gigantic hard-on for the guy. For crap's sake Peyton Manning threw 49 TDs, one less than Brady's 50, and he did it in 81 less attempts. I know he didn't have great wide recievers til randy moss but please, half of being a QB is your ability to raise the play of your surrounding crew (Brett Favre.) That being said I think that Tom Brady is an excellent and smart QB that has worked hard for everything he has, he deserves to be a HOF'er, but he does NOT deserve to be put in the top 5 much less top 10 all time.
3 months ago
No David Tyree?
3 months ago
I'm not sure how anyones top 10 list has Swan and Irving ranked above Art Monk who has been out of the NFL for atlest 10 yrs and is still in the top 5 all tine in recieving go figure because i can't see it
3 months ago
Don Hutson got 99 TDs 44 years before Steve Largent became the first man to 100. He invented the concept of running routes, he also played defense (very well) and Kicked field goals. He is one of the greatest FOOTBALL PLAYERS of all time. Not on the top 10 and Michael Irvin is? give me a break.
3 months ago
Hard to please everyone when making these lists. If I did it one way a certain group of people would complain, and if I did it another that other group would complain. So take it for what it is and this is just one persons opinion of the all-time bests. As I said this wasn't completely about numbers, It's easy to make a draft when using just stats. But I use skills and stats together where I have to use my own judgement. However if you don't agree I do appreciate your input. But ultimately it won't change my mind on my top 10.
3 months ago
Come man, you have to put isaac bruce in the top ten,well see for one reason is that he came from a college that is not really know for football(Memphis),then got to the nfl and has over 10,000 yard recieving...not to count how many catches he has...gosh I'm tired of him always gettin ripped off,he is still to this day one of the most under rated wrs I have ever seen.
from 3 months ago
I would put Tory Holt on the list before Isaac Bruce. Just thought i'd put that out there.
3 months ago
Nice list, Joe. It's great to remember the all-time greats.
Simply because I'm a biased Viking's fan, I'm going to say that Carter is my favorite. He could kill his legs and let them fall behind him inbounds while he was falling out of bounds.
Great stuff.
from 3 months ago
Thanks Andrew. Cris Carter was always fun to watch. Seriously seemed like every ball thrown his way he would find a way to catch.
3 months ago
lyn swann?
give me a break- how bout cliff branch? his numbers are better....Irving a bit overrated...look at his supporting cast!
Tim Brown never had a great QB....how many 35 yo return punts for TDs, he did..FIRST BALLOT..I agree Carter is First ballot also
from 3 months ago
Swann was a big reach but I loved what he did while he played. I just didn't want this to be about the numbers, and Swann was just a great team player. You can't argue that other receivers would be more suitable for the list- only if I was basing it soley on numbers.
3 months ago
Good list.
I don't think Swann deserves a spot. Ark Monk might though.
I would have Carter ahead of Irvin and Harrison. Tim Brown should be ahead of Lofton and Swann.
from 3 months ago
Thanks Dave. The more I think of Tim Brown the more I think he should have been higher. If this list was about consistancy he would have been top 5 for sure.
3 months ago
marvin harrison and regie wayne are some of thebest wide recivers in nfl history
3 months ago
Marvin Harrison has 2 touchdowns in 14 postseason games. Both of them came against a heavily outmatched Broncos, which was also his only playoff game with 100+ yards receiving.
Isn't Harrison's terrible performance in the playoffs, including his fumble that probably cost the Colts the game against the Chargers, a black mark?
from 3 months ago
You have to judge a receiver overall. What Marvin has done in the regular season, and even some playoff games, is certainly enough to look past average numbers in the playoffs.
about 1 month ago
chad jonson is not on top ten are u kidding me ..he is one of the best recevers to ever play the game ..and he dosent have one of the greatest qb's throwing to him
about 1 month ago
i'd move a few players up and down a little, but your list isn't bad. it would make more sense to take lynn swann off for torry holt. Though he did have that one great catch. he's extremely overrated. Irvin should be on the list but not at #3. T.O, Carter, Harrison, and possibly Holt are better.
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