Wide receivers are sometimes thought of “recreation changers”. Whether he is a deep ball menace, a shifty slot receiver or just a do-it-all cross catcher, each dominant staff in NFL historical past has had at the very least one star receiver.
But who’re one of the best broad receivers in NFL historical past?
Since the league’s first season in 1920, numerous skills have graced the sphere, however only some have had the mixture of on-field talent, longevity and profitable to earn a spot among the many all-time greats.
FOX Sports Research crunched the numbers and ranked the ten greatest broad receivers in NFL historical past.
While there are some apparent decisions on the high, there are additionally some stunning names that made it to our listing when analyzing their performances. Where does your favourite broad receiver slot in?
Let’s have a look:
1. Jerry Rice
Simply put, Jerry Rice is the Tom Brady of broad receivers, the undisputed best of all time. He is the league’s all-time chief in receptions (1,549), receiving yards (22,895) and receiving touchdowns (197). Rice was chosen to a formidable 11 All-Pro groups, earned 13 Pro Bowl picks and likewise gained three Super Bowl titles with the 49ers. He additionally gained two Offensive Player of the Year awards and was named MVP of Super Bowl XXIII. From a postseason standpoint, he’s additionally the NFL’s all-time chief in receiving yards (2,245) and receiving touchdowns (22). Rice was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2010.
2. Randy Moss
Arguably one of the best deep ball participant of all time, Randy Moss was an unstoppable power for a lot of his 14-year profession. He put collectively six straight seasons with over 1,300 receiving yards from 1998-2003 with the Vikings, and had 10 or extra receiving scores in 5 of these seasons. Moss completed his profession as one among 5 receivers all-time to eclipse 15,000 receiving yards, and his 156 receiving touchdowns rank second all-time. His 2007 season with the Patriots was arguably his greatest, as he set the NFL report for single-season receiving touchdowns with 23, a mark that also stands right now. The four-time First Team All-Pro and six-time Pro Bowler was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2018.
3. Terrell Owens
It’s becoming that Terrell Owens is third on our listing, as he’s third all-time in receiving yards (15,934) and receiving touchdowns (153). He performed 15 years and completed his profession with 5 First Team All-Pro picks and 6 Pro Bowl nominations en path to induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2018. Owens additionally performed in 42 video games through which he had greater than 100 receiving yards and one landing catch, which trails solely Jerry Rice (57) and Randy Moss (53) all-time. He topped 1,000 yards 9 instances over 11 years and had eight seasons with 10 or extra landing receptions. Owens can also be one among two gamers to ever report 20 receptions in a recreation, in opposition to the Bears within the 2000 season (Brandon Marshall is the opposite).
4. Larry Fitzgerald
Having performed all 17 years of his profession with the Cardinals, Larry Fitzgerald was the epitome of a sure-handed receiver who made massive performs when it mattered. The three-time All-Pro and 11-time Pro Bowl choice led the NFL in receptions and receiving touchdowns twice throughout his profession, and completed second all-time in receptions (1,432), second all-time in yards (17,492) and sixth all-time in landing catches (121). It’s within the postseason the place he actually shines, as he’s one among 9 gamers to ever rating 10 touchdowns within the playoffs, in simply 9 video games. “Fitz’s” 104.7 receiving yards per recreation within the postseason are essentially the most of any participant to have appeared in at the very least 5 playoff video games. He can enter the Pro Hall of Fame in 2026 and can most certainly be a first-ballot choose.
5.Calvin Johnson
When you ask coaches or defensive gamers who the “scariest” receiver within the NFL was throughout the mid-2000s, Calvin Johnson’s identify at all times comes up. He stood 6-foot-5 and weighed greater than 230 kilos, however nonetheless ran a shocking 4.35 40-yard sprint on the mix, which earned him the nickname “Megatron.” Johnson retired early and solely performed 9 seasons (all with the Lions), however these 9 seasons can compete with anybody. He completed with 11,619 yards and 83 receiving touchdowns, each within the high six all-time in a participant’s first 9 seasons. Notably, he holds the NFL report for receiving yards in a single season, with 1,964 in 2007. Had he continued to play, Johnson might have been within the high two on this listing. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2021.
6. Marvin Harrison
Another man who spent his complete profession with one staff, Marvin Harrison was a Colt for 13 seasons and put up gaudy numbers with Peyton Manning as his quarterback. His whole of 1,102 receptions ranks fifth all-time, his 14,580 receiving yards rank ninth, and his 127 receiving touchdowns additionally rank fifth. Harrison earned eight All-Pro and Pro Bowl picks throughout his profession and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2016. He can also be simply one among three gamers in our high 10 to have gained a Super Bowl, becoming a member of Rice and Isaac Bruce.
7. Cris Carter
Before the Vikings had Randy Moss, they’d Cris Carter. One of 4 gamers ever with 130 profession receiving touchdowns, Carter ranks sixth all-time in receptions (1,101) and thirteenth all-time in receiving yards (13,899). He made three All-Pro groups and eight Pro Bowls en path to induction into the Pro Hall of Fame in 2013. The Ohio State product is Minnesota’s all-time chief in each receiving class and was recognized for secure fingers.
8. Isaac Bruce
Isaac Bruce performed a number one position in an offense that was nicknamed “the best present on the sphere”: the Rams from 1999 to 2001. Bruce was chosen to just one All-Pro staff and 4 Pro Bowls, however the Its statistics can’t be denied. His 15,208 receiving yards are the fifth-most ever for any participant, and he’s one among 12 broad receivers ever with 90+ receiving touchdowns and one among 11 with 1,000+ receptions. Bruce was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2020.
9. Tim Brown
One of the best gamers in Raiders historical past, Tim Brown spent 16 of his 17 seasons with them, incomes 9 Pro Bowl picks in that span. He is one among 12 gamers in NFL historical past with 100 receiving touchdowns and one among 14 with over 1,000 receptions. Brown’s 14,934 receiving yards rank seventh all-time, and he’s additionally one among three gamers ever with 10,000 receiving yards and 4,000 whole returning yards (Derek Mason and Steve Smith). The 1987 Heisman Trophy winner leads the Raiders in all three receiving classes and was inducted into the Pro Football of Fame in 2015.
10. Andre Johnson
Arguably essentially the most stunning choose on this listing, Andre Johnson’s dominance has been simple all through his 14 seasons within the NFL. He ranks eleventh all-time in receiving yards (14,185) and receptions (1,062), whereas his 70 receiving touchdowns additionally rank within the high 50 amongst broad receivers. He was a four-time All-Pro and seven-time Pro Bowler, however what’s arguably most spectacular about his profession is that he put up these numbers with out an elite quarterback throwing him the ball. While Matt Schaub was no slouch, think about what he would have executed with among the quarterbacks who had different receivers on this listing (Joe Montana, Peyton Manning, Matthew Stafford, Kurt Warner). Johnson was inducted into the Hall of Fame this 12 months.
Honorable Mention:
- Steve Largent
- Reggie Wayne
- Don Hutson
- Lance Alworth
- Michael Irvin
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