NFL Power Rankings: The Top 60 Wide Receivers Of All Time
Wide receiver is often considered one of the most glamorous positions in the NFL. They go deep for the long bomb. The rules have even been tailored to receivers over the years, helping wideouts establish themselves as the premier athletes in the league.
With so much change in the NFL, comprising an all-time list this large can be difficult. I've tried my best to take everything into account, from rules to quarterbacks to teams, and here's what I've come up with.
Let's start with some honorable mentions.
(Note: some information was gathered from pro-football-reference.com and profootballhof.com)
60. Carl Pickens
1 of 61
9 seasons, 129 games, 540 receptions, 7,129 yards, 63 touchdowns
The 1992 Rookie of the Year had a very productive career, with two stellar seasons in '95 and '96 that led to back-to-back Pro Bowl selections. Between those years he recorded 199 receptions for 2,361 yards and 29 touchdowns, including a league-high 17 in 1995. Pickens is ranked second all-time in Bengals history with 100 receptions in a season, career receptions with 530, and career touchdowns with 63.
59. Charley Hennigan
2 of 61
7 seasons, 95 games, 410 receptions, 6,823 yards, 51 touchdowns
Hennigan's 1961 record of 1,746 yards is still good for third all-time behind only Isaac Bruce and Jerry Rice.It's not surprising, then, that he holds the record for most 200-yard games in a single season with three.
He holds the franchise record for receiving touchdowns, and is currently ranked fourth in franchise history in yards. With help from quarterback George Blanda, he helped the Houston Oilers to two consecutive AFL Championships in '60 and '61.
58. Wes Welker
3 of 61
7 seasons, 99 games, 479 receptions, 5,104 yards, 19 touchdowns
His past three seasons have been nothing short of historic. Each of his reception totals in the past three seasons have landed in the top 20 all-time for a single season. Last year, when he finished with 123, he was on pace for the all-time record had he remained healthy for all 16 games.
This will be a contested selection, but at the rate he's going, Welker is on pace to land among the all-time greats at wide receiver. To think where he'd end up if he had spent his entire career in New England...
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57. Drew Hill
4 of 61
15 seasons, 211 games, 634 receptions, 9,831 yards, 60 touchdowns
In five consecutive 16-game seasons, Hill put up over 1,000 yards, and he had over 900 yards in each of his seven seasons with the Oilers. Hill still ranks in the top 50 all-time in receptions. Not too shabby for a 12th-round draft pick. He still holds the second-highest totals in yards and touchdowns in Oilers/Titans history.
56. Paul Warfield
5 of 61
13 seasons, 157 games, 427 receptions, 8,565 yards, 85 touchdowns
Hall of Fame
A first-ballot Hall-of-Famer, Warfield's numbers may not look worthy of Canton on paper, but the talent and speed were certainly there. He played in ball control offenses, and his deep play ability earned him double coverage on many downs. Still, he led the league in touchdowns twice, and his 85 career touchdowns ranks among the top 20 all-time.
55. John Stallworth
6 of 61
14 seasons, 165 games, 537 receptions, 8,723 yards, 63 touchdowns
Hall of Fame
For two decades, Stallworth was the leading receiver in Steelers' history, and still sits in second all-time behind Hines Ward. He came up big in big games, with touchdown receptions in back-to-back appearances in the Super Bowl, including eight consecutive postseason games with a touchdown. He played on some legendary Steelers teams, but never gave anyone reason to believe he wouldn't have been productive elsewhere.
He dealt with injuries much of his career, so there's no telling how productive he could have been had he stayed healthy.
54. Cliff Branch
7 of 61
13 seasons, 183 games, 501 receptions, 8,685 yards, 67 touchdowns
After reviewing Branch's body of work, I assumed he was in the Hall of Fame already, and was shocked to find out he wasn't. Usually, someone with that kind of statistical production would earn a nod on that alone. And players are typically given a bit more credit for being on teams that won championships (the Raiders won three with him on the team). This is a glowing aberration that we can only hope is fixed sooner than later.
53. Bobby Mitchell
8 of 61
11 seasons, 148 games, 521 receptions, 7,954 yards, 65 touchdowns
Hall of Fame
The converted running back made an impact as a receiver even before he fully made the switch, tallying 128 receptions for 1,462 yards and 16 touchdowns in his first four years in the league. Had he played receiver the entire time, who knows what his final number might look like, but one would guess they'd land him a bit higher on this list. He led the league in receiving yards twice, and led in touchdowns and receptions once apiece. Upon retirement, he was ranked second all-time in net yardage.
52. Tommy McDonald
9 of 61
12 seasons, 152 games, 495 receptions, 8,410 yards, 84 touchdowns
Hall of Fame
Tommy McDonald played for several teams, but brought his production with him everywhere he went. He enjoyed his best seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles, recording back-to-back seasons with over 1,100 yards and four straight seasons with 10 or more touchdowns. He was nominated to six Pro Bowls in his career, and also helped the Eagles to an NFL Championship in 1960.
51. Harold Jackson
10 of 61
16 seasons, 208 games, 579 receptions, 10,372 yards, 76 touchdowns
Harold Jackson may never make it into the Hall of Fame, but he was one of the best receivers of the 1970's. He recorded 432 receptions, 7,724 yards and 61 touchdowns—tops in each category despite inconsistency at the quarterback position with 14 different signal-callers throwing him balls. His stats may suggest he was strictly a deep threat, but he also could run crisp routes.
He played on teams that struggled, and in an era where the ten-yard chuck was still legal, yet he still ranks among the top 30 in most categories. If he played in this era? Oh, the humanity...
Drum Roll, Please...
11 of 61
Here are your top 50 NFL wide receivers of all time.
Sit back (if you can) and enjoy.
50. Stanley Morgan
12 of 61
14 seasons, 196 games, 557 receptions, 10,716 yards, 72 touchdowns
Despite inconsistent quarterback play, Stanley Morgan remained productive throughout his time as a Patriot. He was dinged up a lot, and rarely played a full season after his fourth year in the league. He still led the league in touchdowns in '79 (12) and in yards per reception three straight seasons from '79 to '81, with two Pro Bowl campaigns.
His stellar 1986 season (84 receptions, 1,491 yards, 10 touchdowns) helped lift the Patriots to their first Super Bowl berth.
49. Fred Biletnikoff
13 of 61
14 seasons, 190 games, 589 receptions, 8,974 yards, 76 touchdowns
Hall of Fame
Anytime someone has an award named after them, chances are they'll end up on most people's all-time lists. Biletnikoff was an explosive option for the Raiders throughout his 14-year career, averaging 15.2 yards per reception.
In a time when run-heavy offenses were still predominant in the league, Biletnikoff was virtually a lock for near 50 receptions per season, and led the Raiders in receptions from '68 to '73, recording 327 in that span.
48. Wes Chandler
14 of 61
11 seasons, 150 games, 559 receptions, 8,966 yards, 56 touchdowns
The strike of 1982 meant a lot for Chandler. In eight games, he was able to put up numbers comparable to some 16-game seasons, with league-leading numbers in yards (1,032), touchdowns (9), and yards per game (129, a league-record). Had they played every game, who knows what kind of astronomical numbers he would have ended with.
As it stands, he ranks in the top 50 in career receiving yards. With Archie Manning and Dan Fouts throwing him the ball, it's no wonder he was equally productive in New Orleans and San Diego respectively.
47. Eric Moulds
15 of 61
12 seasons, 186 games, 764 receptions, 9,995 yards, 49 touchdowns
Moulds was the consummate possession receiver, finishing in the top 10 in receptions three times, and recording 100 receptions in 2002. Although most of his work came in possession situations, as he recorded over 60 receptions eight straight seasons, he also had some high yardage totals, crossing the 1,000-yard plateau four times in his career. It didn't matter who was throwing him the ball, either; his production continued well after the Jim Kelly days were over.
46. Joe Horn
16 of 61
12 seasons, 163 games, 603 receptions, 8,744 yards, 58 touchdowns
Joe Horn will forever be remembered as the guy who used a cell phone as a prop for a touchdown celebration. He should be remembered, though, for play that defined "consistency," with three straight seasons as a New Orleans Saint with over 80 receptions and 1,200 yards.
Were it not for an injury in 2003, he could have easily linked together five consecutive seasons over those marks. He bounced right back in '04 with 94 catches for 1,399 yards and 11 touchdowns, all career highs. All this, as a member of the then-lowly Saints, earns him a very respectable spot on my list.
45. Muhsin Muhammad
17 of 61
14 seasons, 202 games, 860 receptions, 11,483 yards, 62 touchdowns
Despite only a few stellar statistical seasons, breaking 1,000 yards three times, Muhsin Muhammad currently ranks 20th all-time in yards and 16th in receptions. He tallied nine seasons with over 60 receptions, and three seasons with over 90 receptions. He will perhaps be best remembered for his stunning 85-yard touchdown reception in Super Bowl XXXVIII that put the Panthers up by a point against the Patriots.
44. Steve Smith
18 of 61
10 seasons, 126 games, 591 receptions, 8,554 yards, 52 touchdowns
Steve Smith had one of the best single-season campaigns by a receiver in recent memory in 2005, when he recorded 103 receptions for 1,563 yards and 12 touchdowns, all league-high totals. He has gone over 15 yards per reception for a season four times in his career, and had an eye-popping 101.5 yards per game in 2008. Despite miserable play from his quarterbacks, Smith finished just shy of 1,000 yards in 2009, which would have marked his fifth consecutive season over that mark.
43. Mark Duper
19 of 61
11 seasons, 146 games, 511 receptions, 8,869 yards, 74 touchdowns
With a nickname like "Super Duper" he might have found a way onto this list even if he wasn't among the top receivers in Dolphins history. His production speaks for itself. He finished his career with a whopping 17.4 yards per reception and recorded over 18 yards per catch in each of his first six seasons as a starter. He was the Dolphins' first-ever 1,000-yard receiver, and according to markduper.com he also holds team records for the most 100-yard receiving games in a career (28) and a season (8 in 1986).
42. Billy Howton
20 of 61
12 seasons, 142 games, 503 receptions, 8,459 yards, 61 touchdowns
Albeit in an era in which vertical passing was favored, Howton put up some gaudy statistics to say the least. He had a breakout rookie season with 1,231 yards and 13 touchdowns, including a league-leading 102.6 yards per game. He led the league in receiving yards twice in his career. He was still productive in his years with other teams, but he cemented his legacy as one of the best receivers to ever suit up for the Packers.
41. Donald Driver
21 of 61
12 seasons, 167 games, 675 receptions, 9,357 yards, 52 touchdowns
The Packers have a long history, but Donald Driver is tops among all Packers in career receptions. He's gone over 1,000 yards in seven of the last eight seasons. What's more, his crisp route-running and consistency are both evidenced by recording 70 or more receptions in each of the past six seasons, and seven of the past eight.
40. Joey Galloway
22 of 61
16 seasons, 193 games, 697 receptions, 10,916 yards, 77 touchdowns
Galloway has fallen off the radar after an injury-plagued '08 campaign led to a sub-par '09 season in which he was cut by both the Patriots and the Steelers. That does nothing though, to diminish his legacy as one of the all-time greats.
He excelled as a down-field threat, with unmatched speed that led to a '50s-esque average of 19.8 yards per reception in 2003 with the Cowboys. He has averaged over 15 yards per reception nine times in his illustrious career. He's still putting up numbers with the Redskins, but it appears the best years of his career are behind him. Still, his numbers are respectable to retire with, and land him among the elite receivers of all-time.
39. Chad Ochocinco
23 of 61
10 seasons, 143 games, 720 receptions, 10,376 yards, 64 touchdowns
Chad Ochocinco has been as controversial as he's been productive, putting up a string of six consecutive 1,000-yard seasons, tallying 87 or more receptions five times in that span. He ranks in the top 50 all-time in receptions, yards, and touchdowns, and his career is far from over. His Hall-of-Fame jacket touchdown celebration may have been entirely premature, but if Ochocinco were to retire today, his numbers would compare favorably to many currently in the Hall of Fame.
38. Derrick Mason
24 of 61
14 seasons, 208 games, 887 receptions, 11,398 yards, 60 touchdowns
If Derrick Mason's career were to end today, he'd still be among the top 25 in both career receptions and yards. He may not have any stellar single-season performances to show for it, and has never logged double-digit touchdowns in a season, but one can't help but marvel at his consistency. He owns five consecutive seasons of over 70 receptions and 1,000 yards.
37. Art Powell
25 of 61
10 seasons, 117 games, 479 receptions, 8,046 yards, 81 touchdowns
Powell was a touchdown machine with the Raiders, putting up 11 or more touchdowns in each of his four years with the team. He accounted for 12 of Oakland's 22 passing touchdowns in 1965, and led the league twice in yards and touchdowns with 14 and 16 in '60 and '63.
36. Anthony Miller
26 of 61
10 seasons, 155 games, 595 receptions, 9,148 yards, 63 touchdowns
Miller never led the league in any single category, but stayed among the top 10 for the majority of his career. Miller ranks in or near the top 50 in receptions, yards, and touchdowns for his career. Although his best years certainly came in Denver with John Elway throwing him the ball, he was making an average (Billy) Joe (Tolliver) look good long before that. He finished his career with five seasons over 1,000 yards and another season in which he was just 67 yards short of that mark.
35. Keenan McCardell
27 of 61
16 seasons, 209 games, 883 receptions, 11,373 yards, 63 touchdowns
Keenan McCardell was your prototype "journeyman" and put up solid numbers everywhere he went. He was a possession receiver known for his ability to make receptions in the middle of the field. He averaged 12.9 yards per reception on his career, and 71 receptions per season as a starter for the Jacksonville Jaguars, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and San Diego Chargers. He never put up more than nine touchdowns in a season, but his consistency underneath is a marvel in and of itself.
34. Mark Clayton
28 of 61
11 seasons, 158 games, 582 receptions, 8,974 yards, 88 touchdowns
Hall of Fame
Drafted in the eighth round in 1983, Mark Clayton has to be considered one of the all-time best draft steals. Of course, it helps to have Dan Marino throwing the ball, but his 18 touchdowns in 1984 is still among the top three all-time, and he ranks in the top 50 all-time in career receiving yards and touchdowns. He has five Pro Bowl selections and six seasons with 60 or more receptions to his name.
An interesting stat I picked up from Wikipedia is that Clayton is one of only three receivers to catch a touchdown from both Dan Marino and Brett Favre.
33. Keyshawn Johnson
29 of 61
11 seasons, 167 games, 814 receptions, 10,571 yards, 64 touchdowns
Despite playing on many run-first teams under coach Bill Parcells with the Jets and Cowboys, Johnson was still able to land himself in the top 30 all-time in receptions and yards. He never had eye-popping single-season statistics, but his talent made him a three-time Pro Bowl selection and helped him solidify his name among the all-time greats. What's more, he was able to do all of this without a top-end quarterback, catching passes from the likes of Vinny Testaverde, Brad Johnson, Ray Lucas, Shaun King, and others.
32. Anquan Boldin
30 of 61
8 seasons, 101 games, 618 receptions, 7,946 yards, 48 touchdowns
A second-round pick in 2003, Boldin had 300 receptions by the middle of his fourth year in the league, becoming the youngest receiver to hit that mark. He has broken 1,000 yards and 80 receptions in each of his full seasons in the league, although his ability to catch the ball in the middle of the field has led to some injuries throughout his career. From Jeff Blake to Josh McCown to Matt Leinart, Boldin's list of quarterbacks is hardly a who's-who of the league's greats. But spending the past two seasons with Kurt Warner at the helm, and now catching passes from up-and-comer Joe Flacco should help him remain consistent for years to come.
31. Andre Johnson
31 of 61
8 seasons, 107 games, 619 receptions, 8,436 yards, 44 touchdowns
Luckily, Andre Johnson still has a long time to cement his legacy. And now, with a top-form Matt Schaub at the helm, that appears more likely than ever before. He's able to use his unique combination of size, speed, and strength to outmatch nearly every defender placed against him. He's caught 100-plus passes for 1,500-plus yards in each of the past two seasons.
30. Reggie Wayne
32 of 61
10 seasons, 147 games, 721 receptions, 9,995 yards, 65 touchdowns
Reggie Wayne is second all-time in most receiving categories for the Colts, behind Marvin Harrison, of course. He isn't known for taking the top off of a defense, but he is a proven possession receiver, recording more than 80 receptions in each of the past five seasons. He can certainly put up some yards, too, with over 1,000 yards in six straight seasons. He looks ready to break both marks yet again with 45 receptions and 602 yards this season already. Wayne has very quietly established himself among the all-time greats at his position.
29. Charley Taylor
33 of 61
14 seasons, 165 games, 649 receptions, 9,110 yards, 79 touchdowns
Hall of Fame
Taylor didn't even begin his career as a wide receiver, but that didn't stop him from pulling in 53 receptions as a rookie running back. As soon as he converted, he led the league in receptions two straight seasons (72 in '66 and 70 in '67), and recorded 1,119 yards in his first season as a receiver, along with 15 combined rushing and receiving touchdowns.
28. Larry Fitzgerald
34 of 61
7 seasons, 97 games, 549 receptions, 7,368 yards, 61 touchdowns
Larry Fitzgerald's short career is already on a historic path to greatness. He set the record for receiving yards in a postseason with 546 yards and seven touchdowns in four games in 2008. At this point in his career, he's on pace to catch receivers on the top of this list, including Randy Moss and Cris Carter. This season's sub-par quarterback play for the Cardinals has proven to be a bump in the road for Fitzgerald, but the greats overcome that kind of adversity, and I have a feeling that Fitzgerald will do just that.
27. Irving Fryar
35 of 61
17 seasons, 255 games, 851 receptions, 12,785 yards, 84 touchdowns
The five-time Pro Bowler made an impact everywhere he went, and was elected to at least one Pro Bowl with each of his first three teams. He's arguably one of New England's best receivers in the short history of the franchise, with 363 receptions for 5,726 yards and 38 touchdowns in nine seasons with the team. Later in his career, he bested those numbers in three less seasons, albeit with better quarterbacks (Dan Marino and Randall Cunningham). He set a record by catching touchdowns in 17 straight seasons, which was later bested by Jerry Rice.
26. Andre Rison
36 of 61
11 seasons, 186 games, 743 receptions, 10,205 yards, 84 touchdowns
In his 12 years in the league, Rison played for seven different teams. He enjoyed his best years with the Atlanta Falcons, recording 48 of his touchdowns in four seasons with the team. The journeyman years with Cleveland, Jacksonville, and Green Bay weren't representative of his work. He responded to his naysayers by recording one final season of glory with the Kansas City Chiefs, making the Pro Bowl in 1997 and eclipsing 1,000 yards for the first time in three years.
25. Gary Clark
37 of 61
11 seasons, 167 games, 699 receptions, 10,856 yards, 65 touchdowns
Without question, Gary Clark is among the best receivers to ever suit up for the Redskins. He had up and down seasons, but recorded over 50 receptions in each of his first 10 seasons, and had five seasons of over 1,000 yards. He was a fixture in the top 10 of most statistical categories throughout his career, and was the team's leading receiver six out of his 11 seasons in the league.
24. Charlie Joiner
38 of 61
18 seasons, 239 games, 750 receptions, 12,146 yards, 65 touchdowns
Hall of Fame
A product of the "Air Coryell" system, Joiner enjoyed his best seasons under head coach Don Coryell. He retired as the league's all-time receptions leader and ranked sixth in career receiving yards in 1986, though neither mark stood long after his retirement. His 16.2 yards per reception gives a great idea of how fast he was, but he was also well-known for running precise routes. Any questions of his greatness are put to bed by Bill Walsh, who called him, “the most intelligent, the smartest, the most calculating receiver the game has ever known.” (quote from profootballhof.com)
23. Hines Ward
39 of 61
13 seasons, 192 games, 912 receptions, 11,166 yards, 80 touchdowns
A four-time Pro Bowl selection in the prime of his career, Hines Ward has made his name not just in his production, but his blocking, as well. Regardless, his production lands him atop the Steelers' all-time receiving charts, and among the best receivers of all-time. He was also named Super Bowl XL MVP, with five receptions for 123 yards and a touchdown, as well as an 18-yard run.
22. Raymond Berry
40 of 61
13 seasons, 154 games, 631 receptions, 9,275 yards, 68 touchdowns
Hall of Fame
Berry was the stand-out receiver on the Johnny Unitas-led offense. He led the league in receptions and yards three times each. He retired as the all-time leader in receptions. He was the Colts' all-time leader in everything until Reggie Wayne and Marvin Harrison came along.
Perhaps his most impressive stat of all is his career fumbles with two. He had the help of an elite quarterback, as many of the receivers on this list had, but one could argue that Berry's talent and chemistry with Unitas made the quarterback better, as well.
21. Michael Irvin
41 of 61
12 seasons, 159 games, 750 receptions, 11,904 yards, 65 touchdowns
Hall of Fame
The 1992-1995 Cowboys could have one player at just about every position on lists like this. Michael Irvin certainly benefited by catching passes from Troy Aikman, but Aikman also had one of the best receivers of his era on his side, as Irvin ranks 18th in career receiving yards. Irvin played an integral part in each of the Cowboys' three Super Bowl wins in the '90s, and was voted to five consecutive Pro Bowls in that time. It says a lot about him that the only thing most people have to say negatively about him is his ego.
20. Herman Moore
42 of 61
12 seasons, 146 games, 670 receptions, 9,174 yards, 62 touchdowns
Moore set the record for receptions in a single season with 123 on his way to becoming the first receiver in NFL history to record three consecutive seasons with 100-plus receptions. Along the way, he fell just 80 yards short of Charley Hannigan's single-season record in yards. If only he'd had a top-tier quarterback throwing him the ball all those years, his stats would be on par with guys in the top 10 of this list.
19. Rod Smith
43 of 61
12 seasons, 183 games, 849 receptions, 11,389 yards, 68 touchdowns
Rod Smith's 12-year career in Denver saw a great deal of change, from playoff pretenders to Super Bowl Champions and all the way back to the basement. Despite quarterbacking that ranged from John Elway to Brian Griese and Jake Plummer, one thing that stayed consistent was Smith's production. He put up over 1,000 yards every time he played all 16 games except in his final season. He could be on his way to the Hall of Fame—he ranks in or near the top 20 in nearly every all-time category.
18. Henry Ellard
44 of 61
16 seasons, 228 games, 814 receptions, 13,777 yards, 65 touchdowns
It's a wonder why Ellard has yet to make it into the Hall of Fame. He was the Rams' all-everything receiver until Torry Holt and Isaac Bruce proved to be two of the "Greatest Receivers on Turf." Many thought he was on the downside of his career when he was brought in as Art Monk's replacement for the Redskins at 33 years old, but he proved his doubters wrong with three consecutive 1,000 yard seasons. To this day, Ellard ranks ninth in all-time receiving yards.
17. Sterling Sharpe
45 of 61
7 seasons, 112 games, 595 receptions, 8,134 yards, 65 touchdowns
It's quite sad to think how much higher Sterling Sharpe could be on this list if he hadn't retired so early due to injury. He was on pace to be in or near the top 10, but his numbers are still good enough to get him on this list. He was rapidly moving towards historic numbers, with 3,854 yards and 42 touchdowns in his last three seasons, at ages 27-29. Keeping that kind of pace for even a couple more years could have put Sharpe easily among the ranks of Randy Moss.
16. Jimmy Smith
46 of 61
14 seasons, 178 games, 862 receptions, 12,287 yards, 67 touchdowns
In the short history of the Jacksonville Jaguars, they've already had one of the most prolific receivers in recent football history. An unexpected hero after two knee injuries crippled his short stint with the Dallas Cowboys in 1992, Jimmy Smith went to five Pro Bowls, and helped the team to four consecutive playoff berths during those years. He currently ranks 15th all-time in career receptions and yards, and his league-leading 116-reception season in 1999 currently ranks ninth all-time.
15. Art Monk
47 of 61
16 seasons, 224 games, 940 receptions, 12,721 yards, 68 touchdowns
Hall of Fame
Monk's accomplishments are painted by the era in which he played, which never favored receivers. Still, he was able to set records for most catches in a season with 106 in 1984, and retired from the NFL with the record for career receptions at 940. He was essential to the Redskins' three Super Bowl wins. Monk was a big, strong receiver with the ability to make underneath catches.
14. Don Maynard
48 of 61
16 seasons, 186 games, 633 receptions, 11,834 yards, 88 touchdowns
Hall of Fame
Don Maynard was considered a "reject" in the NFL, but quickly caught on in the AFL and became one of Joe Namath's favorite targets. In his career, he led the league in receiving touchdowns in '65 (14), receiving yards in '67 (1,434), and yards per reception in '68. He's still ranked tenth in career touchdown receptions and 19th in receiving yards. Four Pro Bowl selections were accompanied by an All-Pro selection, and it was all capped off in 1987 when he was finally elected to the Hall of Fame after seven years as a finalist.
13. Andre Reed
49 of 61
16 seasons, 234 games, 951 receptions, 13,198 yards, 87 touchdowns
Reed came into the league as a fourth-round pick, but left it as a future Hall-of-Famer. He retired as the Bills' all-time leader in receptions (941), yards (13,095), and touchdowns (86). He was a stand-out on the Bills' high-octane offense that led the team to four consecutive appearances in the Super Bowl. His four consecutive finalist selections for the Hall of Fame must have him tired of being a finalist at this point...
12. James Lofton
50 of 61
16 seasons, 233 games, 764 receptions, 14,004 yards, 75 touchdowns
Hall of Fame
Lofton remains the Packers' career leader in receiving yards. He was a track star with soft hands to complement his speed. He built his legacy on the deep ball, averaging 18.3 yards per reception on his career and leading the league in average yards per catch with 22.4 and 22 in back-to-back years. He was once the oldest receiver in NFL history to record over 1,000 yards at 35 years old. He was the first player to ever reach 14,000 receiving yards for his career, accomplishing the feat in his lone reception as a member of the St. Louis Rams, which went for 16 yards and put him at 14,004 career yards.
11. Lance Alworth
51 of 61
11 seasons, 136 games, 542 receptions, 10,266 yards, 85 touchdowns
Hall of Fame
This quote from profootballhof.com says it all about Alworth: "Statistics many times are misleading, but in Alworth's case, they are not." The league may have favored the vertical passing game in his years ('62-'72) but he was often regarded as one of the best to do it, and was even named by Sports Illustrated as "Pro Football's Best Receiver." His six consecutive All-Pro seasons helped him become a first-ballot Hall of Famer and the first AFL player ever elected to the Hall of Fame, recording 7,747 yards and 70 touchdowns in that span.
10. Isaac Bruce
52 of 61
16 seasons, 223 games, 1,024 receptions, 15,208 yards, 91 touchdowns
Bruce had his up years and down years, but managed to produce respectable numbers no matter who was throwing him the ball. One has to wonder how much longer his 16-year career could have lasted if injuries hadn't finally caught up to him. He's in or near the top in almost every receiving category, both single-season and career. He even engaged in a head-to-head race for the single-season mark in receiving yards in 1995, only falling short of Rice by 67 yards.
9. Torry Holt
53 of 61
11 seasons, 173 games, 920 receptions, 13,382 yards, 74 touchdowns
Torry Holt made an impression as a receiver in so many ways. In his younger days, he was revered for his blazing speed down the sideline. In his later days, he developed his route running and technique, but still flashed that speed on occasion. He is everything any receiver could ever hope to be.
8. Tim Brown
54 of 61
17 seasons, 255 games, 1,094 receptions, 14,934 yards, 100 touchdowns
He only had double-digit touchdowns twice in his career, but Tim Brown's string of nine consecutive 1,000-yard seasons is a testament to his consistency. On teams that were progressively getting worse, it seemed Brown was only getting better, which ultimately resulted in a monster 1994 season with 104 receptions, 1,408 yards and five touchdowns, despite Oakland's 4-12 record. He's a lock to end up in the Hall of Fame in the very near future.
7. Steve Largent
55 of 61
14 seasons, 200 games, 819 receptions, 13,089 yards, 100 touchdowns
Hall of Fame
Steve Largent is an anomaly if only for his size; not only that, but he was drafted in the fourth round. He held just about every career record in the books when he retired, including receptions, yards, and touchdowns. All this came in an era before rules favored offense. To measure his impact on the Seahawks, consider this: his is the only number retired by the team.
6. Terrell Owens
56 of 61
15 seasons, 210 games, 1,037 receptions, 15,427 yards, 146 touchdowns
The T.O. Show may not make any top five lists in ratings, but Owens has top five numbers across the board in all-time receptions, yards, and touchdowns. He's begun a great reclamation project in Cincinnati, and although he'll have a hard time making it to the top at this point, he could still climb up some of those boards. He's brought the media circus nearly everywhere he's gone (except in Buffalo), but he's taken his production with him (except...in Buffalo).
5. Don Hutson
57 of 61
11 seasons, 116 games, 488 receptions, 7,991 yards, 99 touchdowns
Hall of Fame
Hutson led the league eight times in receptions, seven times in yards, and nine times in touchdowns over his 11-year career. He was the first receiver ever to eclipse the 50 reception and 1,000 yard marks for a season. All this was back in the day when players played both offense and defense.
He still ranks in the top 10 in receiving touchdowns, so it appears his stature isn't fading anytime soon.
4. Cris Carter
58 of 61
16 seasons, 234 games, 1,101 receptions, 13,899 yards, 130 touchdowns
It's a shame that this guy hasn't made the Hall of Fame yet. He's one of the most well-rounded receivers ever, and one of the few who is comparable to Jerry Rice in that regard. He could stretch the field and make plays with quickness. He's in the top five in career receptions and touchdowns, and currently ranks eighth in yards. Not much to argue with there.
3. Marvin Harrison
59 of 61
13 seasons, 190 games, 1,102 receptions, 14,580 yards, 128 touchdowns
Marvin Harrison's size disadvantage (6'0", 175 pounds) made his feats in the middle and over the top nothing short of miraculous. His ranking on many all-time lists (in or near the top five in receptions, yards, and touchdowns) is remarkable, considering his career lasted but 12 years and started at the age of 24. Of course, it helps to have Peyton Manning throwing the ball, but unlike today's Colts, not all of that success can be placed on Manning's shoulders. Not even close. His 1,722 yards in 2002 is fourth all-time for a single season.
2. Randy Moss
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13 seasons, 190 games, 939 receptions, 14,685 yards, 152 touchdowns
The student has surpassed the teacher. His rookie record of 17 touchdowns brought him into the league with a bang, and his single-season record of 23 touchdowns produced one of the most memorable highlight reel seasons in NFL history. Call him a slouch, but his impact on games is undeniable. He can stretch the field, and he can score touchdowns.
1. Jerry Rice
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20 seasons, 303 games, 1,549 receptions, 22,895 yards, 197 touchdowns
Hall of Fame
You knew this was coming. Nearly all the records that I've mentioned in this slide show were broken by this man. He's no. 1 in nearly every statistical category, far and away the leader in all the important categories—receptions, yards, and touchdowns—and holds the single season record for receiving yards with 1,828. His record of 11 consecutive seasons over 1,000 yards receiving may never be broken.
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