In a means, an inventory of the most effective broad receivers of all time is a mile lengthy. The NFL has at all times been stuffed with nice receivers, particularly over the previous couple of a long time.
Meaning rating the best WRs in NFL historical past is much more difficult than rating the greatest tight ends ever and even the best running backs in NFL history. That’s why we needed to increase our record of the best broad receivers ever to 25.
Best Vast Receivers in NFL Historical past
However even with 25 of the most effective broad receivers of all time, we had some laborious choices to make. We needed to depart a number of deserving broad receivers off as a result of there wasn’t room for everybody.
After all, it means extra to be thought of among the many best WRs in NFL historical past as a result of some large names have been left off. Whereas we anticipate some disagreement, right here is our record of the 25 finest broad receivers of all time.
25. Hines Ward
Some may name Hines Ward a stable however unspectacular broad receiver, however he maintained a excessive stage of play for a very long time.
He went to only 4 Professional Bowls, however he did assist the Steelers win two Tremendous Bowls. He additionally completed his profession with precisely 1,000 receptions and had six seasons with over 1,000 receiving yards. Profitable Tremendous Bowl MVP can also be a pleasant line on his resume.
24. Steve Smith Sr.
For greater than a decade, Steve Smith Sr. was at all times among the many best broad receivers within the NFL. He had a breakout season in 2003 and led the league in receiving in 2005. These have been two of the eight seasons through which Smith had greater than 1,000 yards receiving.
Actually, he missed nearly the whole 2004 season after which turned the most effective receiver within the league and Comeback Participant of the Yr in 2005. From there, Smith maintained a excessive stage of play for a very long time, but he’s typically neglected as one of many high broad receivers of all time or a Corridor of Fame candidate.
23. Charlie Joiner
Charlie Joiner is usually simple to miss outdoors of followers of the Chargers. However he performed for 2 different groups and had an extended profession from 1969 to 1986. That’s not unhealthy for a fourth-round pick of Grambling.
He caught 750 passes throughout that point and amassed over 12,000 receiving yards, which was greater than sufficient to get him into the Corridor of Fame. These numbers additionally helped Joiner get to 3 Professional Bowls.
By way of pure athleticism and skill, Joiner doesn’t examine with the most effective receivers of all time. Nevertheless, his friends and coaches typically regarded him as one of many smartest gamers within the league, as Joiner used his intelligence to get open and make performs.
22. Antonio Brown
If one can ever overlook the disastrous nature through which Antonio Brown’s profession ended over his previous couple of seasons within the league, they’ll discover an elite broad receiver.
Few believed in him popping out of school, because the Steelers graded him within the sixth spherical of the 2010 draft. He proceeded to develop into one of the vital electrical broad receivers within the league, incomes seven Professional Bowl alternatives and main the NFL in each receptions and receiving yards in 2014.
There was a five-year interval between 2013 and 2017 when Brown was arguably the most effective broad receiver within the league. Nevertheless, his angle and immaturity damage his longevity, preserving Brown from being thought of among the many better of the most effective.
21. Reggie Wayne
Regardless of being the second-best receiver on the Colts all through his profession, Reggie Wayne deserves to be talked about among the many NFL’s finest receivers. Actually, having Marvin Harrison getting a lot consideration helped Wayne to place up spectacular numbers yr after yr.
Even enjoying second fiddle, he made the Professional Bowl six instances and led the NFL in receiving in 2007. On some other crew, he would have been the clear no. 1 receiver and possibly would have had much more spectacular numbers and been held in much more excessive esteem.
20. Andre Reed
It took some time, however Andre Reed lastly obtained into the Corridor of Fame in 2013, and deservedly so.
Greater than twenty years after his retirement, Reed nonetheless ranks within the high 20 in all-time receptions and the highest 10 in playoff receptions. The latter is as a result of he was an necessary a part of Buffalo’s 4 straight Tremendous Bowls.
That success with the Payments additionally helped Reed get elected to seven straight Professional Bowls throughout his prime. With over 950 receptions and over 13,000 yards in his profession, he deserves to be among the many high receivers ever.
19. Fred Biletnikoff
The award for the most effective school broad receiver is known as after Fred Biletnikoff, and it’s as a result of he was one of many first elite receivers within the recreation.
Even when he wasn’t an elite athlete, Biletnikoff had the kind of fingers and route-running means that the most effective receivers possess.
Whereas his profession numbers could not measure as much as the most effective of all time, Biletnikoff was nonetheless a four-time Professional Bowler and led the NFL in receptions in 1971. He was dependable, productive, and the embodiment of what any crew would need in a participant and a large receiver.
18. Michael Irvin
Not all broad receivers are flashy after they play, however fortunately Michael Irvin was there to assist stability issues out. He was a big-time playmaker with the Cowboys and at all times made certain folks knew about it.
He undoubtedly matches the mildew of cocky broad receivers, though with good cause.
Throughout his prime, Irvin went to 5 straight Professional Bowls, serving to to make him among the finest broad receivers of the 90s. He was additionally part of three Dallas groups that received the Tremendous Bowl, as he was one in all three superstars alongside Troy Aikman and Emmitt Smith main the Cowboys throughout that period. Irvin had seven seasons with over 1,000 receiving yards, and if not for a career-ending damage in 1999, he may rank increased on our record of the most effective receivers of all time.
17. Andre Johnson
Andre Johnson’s productiveness ranks up there with any broad receiver of the twenty first century. He spent greater than a decade with the Texans, going to the Professional Bowl seven instances throughout his tenure in Houston.
In 2008, Johnson led the league in each receptions and receiving yards. That was one in all three seasons through which Johnson amassed over 1,500 receiving yards. Take into account that Johnson hardly ever had the good thing about enjoying with elite quarterbacks, making his stats much more spectacular.
16. Torry Holt
Too many individuals overlook that Torry Holt was a key a part of the Best Present on Turf, as Marshall Faulk and Isaac Bruce get many of the recognition. However Holt was a member of these groups too.
He was additionally a seven-time Professional Bowler who led the league in receiving twice. Not many receivers can declare to have had eight straight seasons with over 1,000 receiving yards, however Holt is on that record.
Actually, he holds the NFL report for six straight seasons with at the least 1,300 receiving yards and 6 straight seasons with at the least 90 catches. It’s downright puzzling how Holt has been neglected for the Corridor of Fame for therefore lengthy as a result of he deserves to be there with over 13,000 profession receiving yards.
15. Artwork Monk
Art Monk stays one of the vital constant and dependable broad receivers in NFL historical past. He turned the primary participant in league historical past to have a landing catch in 15 straight seasons.
In every of these 15 seasons, he set one other report by catching at the least 35 passes annually. In the course of the Tremendous Bowl period, he was the primary participant to gather over 100 receptions in a single season. The accolades go on and on for Monk, who was a productive receiver all through his 15 seasons within the league, amassing over 12,000 profession receiving yards.
Regardless of solely being chosen to the Professional Bowl thrice, Monk is within the Corridor of Fame and helped Washington win three Tremendous Bowls.
14. Tim Brown
Few receivers can declare to have the identical longevity as Tim Brown. He holds the NFL’s all-time report with 176 consecutive begins. Extra importantly, he made essentially the most of his alternatives by amassing practically 1,100 profession receptions and precisely 100 receiving touchdowns. Brown was additionally an elite kick returner, as two of his 9 Professional Bowl alternatives really got here as a particular groups participant.
Nonetheless, after serving primarily as a returner and a complementary participant throughout the first 5 seasons of his profession, the previous Heisman winner in the end blossomed right into a star and had 9 consecutive seasons with over 1,000 receiving yards, turning into among the finest receivers of his era.
13. Isaac Bruce
Because of Kurt Warner and the Greatest Show on Turf, Isaac Bruce is fondly remembered by many followers. However even except for these few seasons on one of the vital prolific offenses in NFL historical past, Bruce had an incredible profession.
Regardless of solely main the league in receiving yards as soon as, Bruce compiled over 15,000 receiving yards in his profession, placing him fifth on the all-time record for now. Whereas he had some ups and downs, Bruce ended up having eight seasons with over 1,000 receiving yards, though he was solely chosen to the Professional Bowl 4 instances. But, with over 1,000 catches and 91, Bruce has a spot within the Corridor of Fame and a spot among the many finest receivers in NFL historical past.
12. James Lofton
In his day, James Lofton was one of many quickest receivers within the NFL. What do you anticipate from somebody who was a observe & subject star at Stanford?
In school, Lofton excelled as each a sprinter and within the lengthy leap. These abilities translated properly onto the soccer subject, permitting Lofton to develop into a key a part of Buffalo’s success within the early 90s. However he additionally performed for 4 different groups, racking up over 14,000 profession passing yards and going to eight Professional Bowls alongside the best way. Actually, Lofton was the primary receiver in NFL historical past to surpass the 14,000-yard plateau, preserving him among the many all-time leaders in receiving yards and among the many finest receivers ever.
11. Raymond Berry
Most individuals find out about Johnny Unitas, however they don’t at all times acknowledge that Raymond Berry was the popular selection of the legendary quarterback. Regardless of being a Twentieth-round choose in 1954, going 232nd general, Berry turned a top-notch broad receiver and among the finest ever.
He led the NFL in receptions thrice, receiving yards thrice, and receiving touchdowns twice, profitable the receiver Triple Crown in 1959. Naturally, he was part of two NFL championship groups in Baltimore whereas receiving six Professional Bowl alternatives. Later, Berry turned a well-respected coach, however earlier than that, he was one of many best broad receivers the NFL has ever identified.
10. Cris Carter
Throughout his profession, folks would joke that every one Cris Carter did was catch touchdowns. For the report, he had 971 catches in his profession that weren’t touchdowns.
However his 130 profession touchdowns are additionally spectacular.
The reality is the man had among the finest fingers in NFL historical past, which is why he led the league in catches in 1994 and receiving touchdowns on three events, sending Carter to the Professional Bowl in eight consecutive years throughout his profession. Carter was so gifted as a route runner and catcher that he by no means fairly obtained the credit score he deserved for being a top-flight athlete.
However his athleticism additionally contributed to him racking up over 1,000 receiving yards in eight straight seasons. For over a decade, he hardly ever missed a recreation and have become one of the vital dependable receivers within the league, whether or not it’s catching touchdowns or just transferring the chains, which is why he shouldn’t be neglected on an inventory of the highest receivers of all time.
9. Marvin Harrison
It’s unimaginable to say if Marvin Harrison would have been as nice as he was with out Peyton Manning, however one might ask the identical query about Manning if he didn’t have Harrison.
The 2 have been an incredible match, serving to Harrison get essentially the most out of his expertise. Quickly after Manning arrived, Harrison rattled over eight straight seasons with over 1,100 yards, together with 4 seasons with over 1,400 yards.
He led the league in receiving yards twice and was part of Indy’s Tremendous Bowl win. Harrison’s consistency at broad receiver is difficult to match, which is why he went to eight straight Professional Bowls whereas being an All-Professional in eight straight seasons, making him a simple participant to elect to the Professional Soccer Corridor of Fame.
8. Terrell Owens
His poor angle and ridiculous antics apart, there’s no denying that Terrell Owens was an incredible broad receiver. He was quick and bodily with the dimensions and athleticism to trigger cornerbacks a world of bother.
Owens was additionally extremely cocky, which frequently tends to assist broad receivers. All of these traits helped him to develop into a six-time Professional Bowler, incomes alternatives in 5 consecutive seasons, whereas additionally main the league in receiving touchdowns thrice.
The wonderful half is that he at all times appeared to conflict with coaches and quarterbacks, as Owens and Donovan McNabb had well-documented issues in Philadelphia. That may diminish what Owens completed for some folks. However after a Corridor of Fame profession, he have to be talked about among the many finest broad receivers of all time.
7. Lance Alworth
Regardless of enjoying within the AFL earlier than the merger, Lance Alworth nonetheless deserves credit score for being one of many best broad receivers ever. He led the AFL in receiving yards, receptions, and touchdowns thrice every, doing all three in 1966, profitable the Triple Crown for receivers.
For his profession, he had over 10,000 receiving yards and averaged practically 19 yards per catch. Throughout his prime with the Chargers, Alworth had seven straight seasons with over 1,000 receiving yards after which helped the Cowboys win Tremendous Bowl VI throughout the latter phases of his profession.
6. Calvin Johnson
The nickname Megatron says nearly all the things it’s worthwhile to find out about Calvin Johnson. He was tall at 6’5’’ but additionally had elite velocity and athleticism. He might leap as excessive as any participant within the league whereas additionally showcasing unbelievable physique management.
Briefly, Johnson’s catch radius is nothing just like the league has ever identified, serving to to make him one of many best broad receivers ever. There are catches Johnson made in his profession that no different receiver might ever hope to make.
He nonetheless owns the all-time report for eight straight 100-yard receiving video games and essentially the most receiving yards in a single season, racking up 1,964 yards on 122 catches in 2012. Sadly, we solely obtained to see Johnson for 9 seasons and two measly playoff video games, so he didn’t present the longevity that different receivers have. Nonetheless, he went to 6 straight Professional Bowls throughout his prime and is unquestionably one of the vital difficult broad receivers any cornerback has tried to defend.
5. Larry Fitzgerald
At instances, Larry Fitzgerald was constant to the purpose of boredom, however in a great way. He went to the Professional Bowl 11 instances, doing so inside a 13-year span. Fitzgerald nearly by no means had an off-year, and albeit, he nearly by no means had a nasty recreation.
He wasn’t at all times the quickest or the strongest, however he was dependable together with his fingers and route operating, making him the kind of receiver that quarterbacks liked. Fitzgerald was additionally remarkably loyal, spending his complete profession with the Cardinals.
In a means, his consistency was his downfall, because the league grew so used to him that he was solely a three-time All-Professional regardless of main the league in receptions twice and touchdowns twice. His numbers converse for themselves with 9 seasons of at the least 1,000 receiving yards and 4 seasons with over 1,400 yards.
That’s what occurs once you hardly ever miss a recreation and keep a constant stage of play, which is one thing few gamers in NFL historical past have finished higher than Fitzgerald.
4. Don Hutson
In a means, Don Hutson invented the place of broad receiver. Whereas enjoying for the Packers between 1935 and 1945, he helped to create most of the basic routes we see broad receivers run at the moment and make throwing the ball a much bigger a part of the sport.
Naturally, he was higher at this than simply about everybody else in that period. He led the NFL in receptions eight instances, receiving yards seven instances, and receiving touchdowns 9 instances.
Hutson was unstoppable at his peak, profitable back-to-back MVP awards in 1941 and 1942 whereas additionally serving to the Packers win three NFL championships. Hutson is really one of the vital influential and legendary figures within the recreation and ought to be included among the many finest broad receivers of all time.
3. Randy Moss
Expertise-wise, there aren’t many receivers who’re even near Randy Moss in NFL historical past.
At 6’4’’ together with his fingers and athleticism, Moss was nearly unimaginable to defend at instances. Cornerbacks requested to play him one-on-one would get embarrassed and absolutely have nightmares afterward. We nonetheless name it being “Mossed” when receivers are in a position to overpower defensive backs and make them look foolish.
Frankly, his angle and his antics have been the one issues that ever held him again. Moss nonetheless owns the report for many receiving touchdowns in a single season and most receiving touchdowns by a rookie.
He started his profession with six straight seasons of 1,200 receiving yards or extra and after a number of down seasons, had three straight seasons with over 1,000 yards later in his profession. His six Professional Bowl alternatives don’t appear to be sufficient contemplating how significantly better he was than everybody else throughout the prime of his profession.
2. Steve Largent
Earlier than spending practically a decade in Congress, Steve Largent was among the finest broad receivers of the late Seventies and 80s. He was a type of receivers who caught all the things, incomes him the nickname “Yoda,” as the unique Star Wars trilogy got here out throughout the first half of his profession.
Largent performed 14 seasons, all with the Seahawks, and barely missed a recreation throughout that point.
He put collectively eight seasons with over 1,000 receiving yards and was a seven-time Professional Bowler, twice main the NFL in receiving. Sadly, at the moment’s report books don’t replicate him being one of many best broad receivers ever, however on the time of his retirement, Largent owned the all-time information for catches, receiving yards, and receiving touchdowns, to not point out a streak of 177 straight regular-season video games with a catch.
1. Jerry Rice
In the long run, there’s nearly no debate that Jerry Rice is the most effective broad receiver in NFL historical past. Whether or not he’s essentially the most gifted receiver to ever play the sport is a unique dialogue.
However he was the most effective at enjoying the place, no questions requested.
Rice had elite fingers and route-running means along with being one of many smartest and hardest-working gamers to ever play the sport. When his scholarship presents popping out of highschool have been restricted, Rice needed to play just a little Mississippi Valley State. However enjoying at a small college like that helped to gasoline him.
Rice at all times performed with some extent to show and he normally proved that time together with his play. He helped the 49ers to win three Tremendous Bowls and was a 13-time Professional Bowler. Rice led the league in receiving yards six instances and receiving touchdowns six instances, doing each in the identical yr on three events.
Along with being the most effective broad receiver ever, there’s a powerful argument for Rice being among the many high 5 gamers of all time. Even with so many nice receivers in at the moment’s recreation, it’ll take somebody particular to surpass Rice, who owns the NFL all-time information for receptions, receiving yards, receiving touchdowns, complete touchdowns, and even all-purpose yards.
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