The 100 Greatest Wide Receivers in NFL History (Nos. 25-1)

I made this list after extensive research of over 200 NFL wide receivers. I took into account many variables, such as stats, Super Bowls, when the player played, who they played for, and my own opinion.

The stats I focused on were receptions, yards, touchdowns, receptions per game, yards per game, and yards per catch. I ranked all candidates in these categories and then averaged their rankings out.

After that, I made sure to weigh certain stats more heavily than others. For example, receptions seem to be more important than yards per catch, so that category weighed heavier.

Comparing the newer generation to the older generation was difficult since the new generation has a much better opportunity to have better stats. I took this into account as well.

I started writing this before and even published the first part, but the list just seemed wrong to me, so I did more research, and this is how it ended.

Even though I took many facts into account when making this list, I also injected my own opinion, so it is a list that not everyone will agree with.

25. Gary Clark

Washington Redskins: 1985-1992
Phoenix/Arizona Cardinals: 1993-1994
Miami Dolphins: 1995

Receptions: 699
Yards: 10,856
Touchdowns: 65

2x Super Bowl Champion
4x Pro Bowler
1x First Team All Pro

Clark was one of the best receivers of the 80s. He was the first receiver to have 50 receptions or more in his first 10 seasons. He was in the top ten in receptions four times, receiving yards five times, and touchdown receptions five times. He is 30th all time in receptions and 23rd all time in receiving yards. His 65.0 yards a game is good for 25th all time.

24. Hines Ward

Pittsburgh Steelers: 1998-present

Receptions: 895
Yards: 10,947
Touchdowns: 78

2x Super Bowl Champion
Super Bowl XL MVP
4x Pro Bowler

Ward is widely known as being one of the toughest receivers in the league. He is the Steelers' all-time leader in receptions, receiving yards, and receiving touchdowns. He has been one of the biggest receptions leaders since coming into the league. He was second in the NFL in 2002 with 112 receptions, which is good for 13th all time. He is currently 12th all time in career receptions. He is 24th all time in receiving yards and 22nd in receiving touchdowns.

23. Reggie Wayne

Indianapolis Colts: 2001-present

Receptions: 676
Yards: 9,393
Touchdowns: 63

1x Super Bowl Champion
4x Pro Bowler

Wayne has basically gotten better with each season he has played. He now has six straight seasons of 1,000 yards or more. In 2007 he led the league in receiving yards with 1510. His 66.6 yards per game is good for 22nd all time. When his career is all done he should be near the top of the leader board in most categories.

22. Chad Ochocinco

Cincinnati Bengals: 2001-present

Receptions: 684
Yards: 9,952
Touchdowns: 62

6x Pro Bowler
2x First Team All Pro

Ochocinco is definitely one of the most colorful receivers to ever play the game. Since coming into the league, he has gone over 1,000 yards in all but two seasons. He led the league in receiving yards in 2006. He was the first Bengals player to ever lead the league in receiving yards. He is the Bengals' all-time leader in receptions and receiving yards.

21. Sterling Sharpe

Green Bay Packers: 1988-1994

Receptions: 595
Yards: 8,134
Touchdowns: 65

5x Pro Bowler
3x First Team All Pro

Sharpe's career was cut short by a neck injury, but during his short career he was one of the best receivers in the game; many believe he could have been a top-three receiver of all time had he played longer. Sharpe holds the record for consecutive games with at least four receptions with 34. He led the league in receptions three times, receiving yards once, and touchdown receptions twice. His 18 receiving touchdowns in 1994 is still good for third all time.

20. Herman Moore

Detroit Lions: 1991-2001
New York Giants: 2002

Receptions: 670
Yards: 9,174
Touchdowns: 62

4x Pro Bowler
3x First Team All Pro

Many believe Moore was the best receiver of the 90s. He was the second receiver ever to have three seasons of 100 receptions or more. In 1995, he set a then- record for receptions in a season with 123; this is still good for second all time. He is the Lions' all- time leader in receptions, receiving yards, and touchdown receptions. He led the league in receptions twice in his career.

19. Michael Irvin

Dallas Cowboys: 1988-1999

Receptions: 750
Yards: 11,904
Touchdowns: 65

3x Super Bowl Champion
5x Pro Bowl
1x First Team All Pro

Irvin was the best receiver for what could have been the best franchise of the 90s. He has the third most 100 yard games with 47. He was also outstanding in the playoffs as he is second all time in receptions and receiving yards. Irvin led the league in receiving yards in 1991 with 1523. He is 27th all time in receptions and 17th in receiving yards. He is the Cowboys' all-time leader in receptions and receiving yards.

18. Rod Smith

Denver Broncos: 1995-2006

Receptions: 849
Yards: 11,389
Touchdowns: 68

2x Super Bowl Champion
3x Pro Bowler

Smith may very well be the best NFL player to have not been drafted. He is the only undrafted receiver to go over 10,000 career yards. In 2001, he led the league in receptions with 113, which is good for 11th all time. His 1602 yards in 2000 is good for 12th all time. He is currently 16th all time in receptions and 20th in receiving yards. He is the Broncos' all-time leader in receptions, receiving yards, and touchdown receptions.

17. Jimmy Smith

Dallas Cowboys: 1992
Jacksonville Jaguars: 1995-2005

Receptions: 862
Yards: 12,287
Touchdowns: 67

5x Pro Bowler

Even though Smith was drafted in 1992, he didn't get to start his career until 1995. Smith was a dominant force for the Jaguars and was probably their first big star. He led the league in receptions in 1999 with 116, which is good for 8th all time. He is 14th all time in receptions and 15th in receiving yards. He is the Jaguars' all-time leader in receptions, receiving yards, and touchdown receptions.

16. Raymond Berry

Baltimore Colts: 1955-1967

Receptions: 631
Yards: 9,275
Touchdowns: 68

2x NFL Champion
6x Pro Bowler
3x First Team All Pro

Berry may have been the best receiver to play with Unitas. During his career, he led the league in receptions three times and was in the top 10 eight times. He led the league in receiving yards three times and was in the top ten six times. He also led the league in touchdown receptions twice and was in the top 10 six times. His 108.2 yards a game in 1960 are good for 10th all time. When he retired his 631 receptions were an NFL record.

15. Art Monk

Washington Redskins: 1980-1993
New York Jets: 1994
Philadelphia Eagles: 1995

Receptions: 940
Yards: 12,721
Touchdowns: 68

3x Super Bowl Champion
3x Pro Bowler
1x First Team All Pro

Monk had a long, productive career and was as consistent as they came. In 1984, he led the league in receptions with 106, which was a NFL record at the time. He was the first Redskins receiver ever to have three consecutive seasons of 1,000 yards or more. For a time Monk was the all time leader in receptions. He is currently ninth all time in receptions and 14th in receiving yards. He is the Redskins' all-time leader in receptions and receiving yards.

14. James Lofton

Green Bay Packers: 1978-1986
Los Angeles Raiders: 1987-1988
Buffalo Bills: 1989-1992
Philadelphia Eagles: 1993
Los Angeles Rams: 1993

Receptions: 764
Yards: 14,004
Touchdowns: 75

8x Pro Bowler
1x First Team All Pro

Lofton was the first player ever to reach 14,000 yards receiving. He was also the first player ever to score a touchdown in the 70s, 80s, and 90s. When he left the Packers he was their all-time leader in receiving yards. He is currently 25th all time in receptions, seventh in receiving yards, and 26th in touchdown receptions.

13. Andre Reed

Buffalo Bills: 1985-1999
Washington Redskins: 2000

Receptions: 951
Yards: 13,198
Touchdowns: 87

7x Pro Bowler

Reed was one of the best AFC receivers of the 80s and 90s. Reed is second all time in Super Bowl receptions with 27, and third in Super Bowl receiving yards with 323. Reed is eighth all time in receptions, 11th in receiving yards, and 11th in touchdown receptions. He is the Bills' all-time leader in receptions, receiving yards, and touchdown receptions.

12. Lance Alworth

San Diego Chargers: 1962-1970
Dallas Cowboys: 1971-1972

Receptions: 542
Yards: 10,266
Touchdowns: 85

1x Super Bowl Champion
7x Pro Bowler
6x First Team All Pro

Alworth has truly an amazing receiver. He holds the record for most game with 200 yards receiving with five. He is also the only receiver to average 100 yards a game in three consecutive seasons. He led the league in receptions, receiving yards, and touchdown receptions three times. He is the Chargers' all-time leader in receiving yards and touchdown receptions.

11. Torry Holt

St. Louis Rams: 1999-2008
Jacksonville Jaguars: 2009-present

Receptions: 920
Yards: 13,382
Touchdowns: 74

1x Super Bowl Champion
7x Pro Bowler
1x First Team All Pro

Holt was fortunate enough to be part of one of the best aerial attacks in football history. He is the only player to ever have six consecutive seasons of 1300 receiving yards or more. He also had six straight seasons of 90 or more catches. He is one of only two receivers to have two seasons of 1600 receiving yards. Holt reached 10,000 and 11,000 yards receiving faster than anyone. He is currently 11th all time in receptions, 10th in receiving yards, and 27th in receiving touchdowns. His 77.4 yards a game are good for fourth all time.

10. Don Maynard

New York Giants: 1958
New York Titans/Jets: 1960-1972
St. Louis Cardinals: 1973

Receptions: 633
Yards: 11,834
Touchdowns: 88

1x Super Bowl Champion
4x Pro Bowler
1x First Team All Pro

Maynard had long and outstanding career. He was in the top 10 in receptions on seven different occasions. He led the league in receiving yards in 1967 and was in the top 10 nine times. He led the league in touchdown receptions in 1965 and was in the top 10 10 times. He is 18th all time in receiving yards and 10th all time in touchdown receptions.

9. Isaac Bruce

Los Angeles/St. Louis Rams: 1994-2007
San Francisco 49ers: 2008-present

Receptions: 1,024
Yards: 15,208
Touchdowns: 91

1x Super Bowl Champion
4x Pro Bowler

After making no impact his rookie year, Bruce broke out to become one of the best receivers of all time. In his second year he caught 119 balls which is good for seventh all time. He also led the league in yards in 1996. He is the active leader in receiving yards and is second all time. He is also the active leader in receptions and is fifth all time. He is currently ninth all time in touchdown receptions. His 68.8 yards per game is 17th all time.

8. Tim Brown

Los Angeles/Oakland Raiders: 1988-2003
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 2004

Receptions: 1094
Yards: 14,934
Touchdowns: 100

9x Pro Bowler

"Mr. Raider" dominated for a very long time. Brown holds an NFL record of having 10 consecutive seasons of 75 or more catches. He holds many Raiders records including receptions, receiving yards, touchdown receptions, yards from scrimmage, all purpose yards, punt return yards, and games played. He is fourth all time in receptions, third in receiving yards, and sixth in receiving touchdowns.

7. Steve Largent

Seattle Seahawks: 1976-1989

Receptions: 819
Yards: 13,089
Touchdowns: 100

7x Pro Bowler
1x First Team All Pro

Largent was as sure-handed as they came. At the time of Largent's retirement he held all major receiving records including receptions, receiving yards, and touchdown receptions. He led the NFL in receiving yards twice and went over 1,000 yards eight different times. He is 20th all time in receptions, 12th in receiving yards, and sixth in receiving touchdowns.

6. Cris Carter

Philadelphia Eagles: 1987-1989
Minnesota Vikings: 1990-2001
Miami Dolphins: 2002

Receptions: 1,101
Yards: 13,899
Touchdowns: 130

8x Pro Bowler
2x First Team All Pro

It was once said of Carter, "all he does is catch touchdowns," and although he did that about as well as anyone, he did much more than that. In 1994 he set an NFL record for receptions with 122, a total that is still good for third all time. He also led the league in touchdown receptions twice in his career. He is the Vikings' all-time leader in receptions, receiving yards, and touchdown receptions. He is third all time in receptions, eighth in receiving yards, and fourth in receiving touchdowns.

5. Don Hutson

Green Bay Packers: 1935-1945

Receptions: 488
Yards: 7,991
Touchdowns: 99

3x NFL Champion
4x Pro Bowler
8x First Team All Pro

Hutson may very well have been the first superstar wide receiver in history. Huston still holds many record including most seasons leading the league in receptions with eight, most seasons leading the league in receiving yards with seven, and most seasons leading the league in touchdown receptions with nine. He was the first receiver to ever have 50 receptions in a season and also was the first with 1,000 yards in a season. He is eighth all time in career touchdown receptions, and 16th in receiving yards a game.

4. Terrell Owens

San Francisco 49ers: 1996-2003
Philadelphia Eagles: 2004-2005
Dallas Cowboys: 2006-2008
Buffalo Bills: 2009-present

Receptions: 1,006
Yards: 14,951
Touchdowns: 144

6x Pro Bowler
5x First Team All Pro

Owens might not be the most popular guy on or off the field, but there is no denying his place in history. Owens once held the single game record for receptions with 20. He is the only player to ever score a touchdown against all 32 teams. He is the oldest player to have a catch of 98 or 99 yards. He has the most consecutive seasons with at least four touchdowns with 14. He is one of only three people to have two catches or more of 90+ yards. He has led the league in touchdown receptions three times. He is sixth all time in receptions, third in receiving yards, and third in receiving touchdowns.

3. Randy Moss

Minnesota Vikings: 1998-2004
Oakland Raiders: 2005-2006
New England Patriots: 2007-present

Receptions: 926
Yards: 14,465
Touchdowns: 148

1998 Offensive Rookie of the Year
7x Pro Bowler
4x First Team All Pro

Moss has been simply outstanding since entering the league. Moss currently holds the record for most touchdown receptions in a year with 23. He has led the league a total of five different times. Also, his 17 touchdowns his rookie season is a rookie record. He is the only receiver to have three seasons of 17 or more touchdowns. He had 1200+ yards receiving in his first six years, an NFL record. He was the youngest player to reach 100 career touchdown receptions. He reached 5000 career yards receiving faster than anyone. He is 10th all time in receptions, sixth in receiving yards, and second in touchdown receptions. His 77.8 yards a game are good for third all time.

2. Marvin Harrison

Indianapolis Colts: 1996-2008

Receptions: 1,102
Yards: 14,580
Touchdowns: 128

1x Super Bowl Champion
8x Pro Bowler
3x First Team All Pro

Harrison may very well be the best route runner the league has ever seen. He currently holds the record for most receptions in a season with 143. He holds the records for most receptions in a two, three, four, seven, and eight year span. He has the most games with at least eight, nine, 11, 12, 13, and 14 receptions. He has the most consecutive games with at least six and nine receptions. He was the first receiver to have 50 or more receptions in his first 11 seasons and the only player to ever have four straight seasons of 1400+ receiving yards. He and Peyton Manning hold many records together. He was the second fastest to 100 touchdown receptions. Harrison is the only player to have eight straight years of 1,000 yards and 10 touchdowns. He was the only player to have eight straight years of at least 82 receptions. He is the Colts' all-time leader in receptions, receiving yards, and touchdown receptions. He is second all time in receptions, fifth in receiving yards, and fifth in receiving touchdowns.

1. Jerry Rice

San Francisco 49ers: 1985-2000
Oakland Raiders: 2001-2004
Seattle Seahawks: 2004

Receptions: 1,549
Yards: 22,895
Touchdowns: 197

3x Super Bowl Champion
1987 Offensive Player of the Year
Super Bowl XXIII MVP
1993 Offensive Player of the Year
13x Pro Bowler
10x First Team All Pro

What can you say about Jerry Rice? He may very well be the greatest wide receiver to ever play the game. He holds so many records that it would take up too much room to write them all. Some of the record he holds are career receptions, receiving yards, receiving touchdowns, total touchdowns, and yards from scrimmage. He holds the record for most touchdowns in each quarter and most touchdowns in every month. He is the only player with five touchdowns of 80+ yards receiving and five touchdowns of 20+ yards rushing. He reached 100 touchdowns in fewer games than anyone. He has the most seasons with at least 80, 90, and 100 receptions. He has the most seasons with at least 1,000 yards receiving with 14. He has the most 100 yard games with 76. Honestly, the list goes on and on. When making this list I didn't know where any of the players would land initially, except Jerry Rice, I knew he would be No. 1.

If you want to see all of the records Rice holds look here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_NFL_records_held_by_Jerry_Rice