One large receiver towers above the remainder in NFL historical past.
However with huge names together with Randy Moss and Terrell Owens placing up enormous profession numbers, rating the best wideouts of all-time wasn’t simple.
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Whereas operating backs have been devalued and the passing sport has exploded because of franchise quarterbacks reminiscent of Tom Brady and Patrick Mahomes, most of the NFL’s finest cross catchers nonetheless date again to the Eighties and ’90s.
Justin Jefferson, Tyreek Hill, CeeDee Lamb and Ja’Marr Chase are among the many present crop of celebrity receivers.
However they must proceed their careers for years to be thought of among the many all-time greats.
Under, talkSPORT ranks the very best large receivers in NFL historical past.
10. Reggie Wayne
Wayne began sluggish then grew to become one of the crucial reliable and trusted large receivers in NFL historical past.
He must be elected to the Professional Soccer Corridor of Fame in 2025.
Because the No. 30 total decide within the 2001 NFL Draft out of Miami, Wayne spent his early years proving himself in Indianapolis’ offense, which already featured Marvin Harrison as Peyton Manning’s No. 1 wideout.
However Wayne broke out within the 2004 season, catching 77 balls for 1,210 yards and 12 TDs.
He then eclipsed the 1,000-yard mark in eight of his subsequent 9 seasons, incomes six Professional Bowl honors whereas serving to information the Colts to 2 Tremendous Bowls.
Wayne ended his profession simply behind Harrison in all-time receiving yards, highlighting the historic wideout mixture that helped Manning excel in Indy.
Profession stats: 14,345 receiving yards, 82 receiving touchdowns
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9. Lance Alworth
Alworth has one of many best nicknames in NFL historical past (Bambi) and was forward of the curve on the large receiver sport.
The seven-time Professional Bowler and six-time All Professional made his identify enjoying throughout the San Diego Chargers’ trend-setting offense within the AFL.
Alworth’s leaping catches and downfield pace constantly burned opposing defenses, because the NFL and AFL champion altered the view of what a large receiver may do on the sector.
Whereas many stats from soccer’s early a long time do not maintain up these days, Alworth’s identify nonetheless rings out.
He additionally has profession marks of 10,266 receiving yards, 85 TDs and 18.9 yards per reception, that are adequate to position Alworth among the many finest in NFL historical past.
Profession stats: 10,266 yards, 85 TDs
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8. Steve Smith Sr.
One of many hardest receivers in NFL historical past fought for each yard and has saved combating after his enjoying days.
Smith is synonymous with the Carolina Panthers, the place he spent the preliminary 13 seasons of a profession that ought to quickly attain the Professional Soccer Corridor of Fame.
Making Smith’s numbers much more spectacular is his draft place.
The 5ft 9in receiver wasn’t taken till the No. 74 total slot through the third spherical in 2001.
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He barely performed as a rookie, then eclipsed 1,000 yards in his third season.
Smith spent 16 seasons within the league, gathering 70 catches and 799 yards 15 years after he was drafted.
The third-round decide overcame his measurement and third-round standing to turn out to be one of many hardest receivers to ever play the sport.
Profession stats: 14,731 yards, 81 TDs
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7. Marvin Harrison
Peyton Manning’s finest years have been with the Indianapolis Colts and Manning’s finest combo was with Harrison.
Because the No. 19 total decide in 1996 out of Syracuse, Harrison endured a pair up-and-down seasons earlier than Manning arrived as a No. 1 franchise QB choice.
By yr two of the Manning-Harrison combo, the Colts have been 13-3 and Harrison was catching 115 balls for 1,663 yards and 12 TDs.
It started an unprecedented run for Harrison, who blended pace and robust fingers with exact route operating.
Harrison twice led the NFL in receiving, made eight Professional Bowls and gained a Tremendous Bowl with Manning in 2006.
Harrison grew to become a lock as a Corridor of Famer and was a cut price as a No. 19 decide.
Profession stats: 14,580 yards, 128 TDs
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6. Calvin Johnson
Barry Sanders walked away from the Detroit Lions out of frustration.
Calvin Johnson did the identical and it is easy to marvel how a lot better Johnson would have been on a greater crew.
Regardless of solely enjoying 9 seasons, the No. 2 total select of Georgia Tech made six Professional Bowls, earned three All Professional choices and was a surefire Corridor of Famer.
‘Megatron’ handed the 1,000-yard mark in seven seasons and his 2012 marketing campaign was historic.
Enjoying for a 4-12 Lions crew, Johnson caught 122 balls for a league-best 1,964 yards and completed third in Offensive Participant of the 12 months voting.
Profession stats: 11,619 yards, 83 TDs
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5. Steve Largent
Largent is the rarity on this listing.
He wasn’t record-setting quick and Largent wasn’t drafted till the No. 117 total decide through the fourth spherical in 1976.
After nearly being minimize by the Houston Oilers as a rookie, Largent overcame skilled and private adversity to turn out to be one of the crucial trusted receivers to ever play the sport.
He additionally spent his total 14-year profession with the Seattle Seahawks, incomes seven Professional Bowl honours and passing the 1,000-yard mark eight instances.
Largent’s 16.0 yards-per-catch common highlights his big-play potential and his 100 profession TDs was an ideal ultimate mark for one of many NFL’s most full wideouts.
Profession stats: 13,089 yards, 100 TDs
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4. Randy Moss
Moss takes this Prime 10 listing to the subsequent stage.
Solely Moss may have gone from school ball at Marshall to 1,313 yards and 17 TDs as an NFL rookie in the identical yr.
Solely Moss may have answered his enormous early numbers in Minnesota with even greater stats whereas paired with Tom Brady within the New England Patriots’ dynasty.
The explosive and at instances unstable Moss grew to become one of many league’s most revered wideouts, dominating defenses and catching no less than 10 TDs in 9 of his 14 campaigns.
He is within the ultimate echelon of receivers and rivals Jerry Rice as the very best downfield goal of all time.
Profession stats: 15,292 yards, 156 TDs
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3. Terrell Owens
Owens is one other highly effective reminder that the NFL Draft is overrated.
Not taken till the No. 89 total choice through the third spherical in 1996, the Chattanooga product unleashed a Corridor of Fame profession that shall be analyzed for many years to return.
Owens was usually finest identified for his off-field antics and on-field drama.
However there is no doubt that T.O. was a supreme power between the traces.
He broke 1,000 yards 9 instances, completed second in Offensive Participant of the 12 months voting in 2004, and made 5 All Professional groups.
At his finest and worst, Owens was a very trendy receiver who modified the sport.
He punished defenses week after week, for greater than a decade.
Profession stats: 15,934 yards, 153 TDs
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2. Larry Fitzgerald
Fitzgerald constructed on Largent’s one-team mentality and expanded the muse.
From 2004-20, Fitzgerald was an Arizona Cardinal yr after yr.
He made 11 Professional Bowls, broke the 1,000-yard mark 9 instances and twice led the NFL in receptions.
Different elite receivers shined brighter at sure moments however Fitzgerald was at all times there for Arizona and saved yearly including to his historic numbers.
Kurt Warner and Carson Palmer benefited from Fitzgerald’s dependability, whereas the Cardinals twice reached the NFC Championship with Larry Legend operating distinctive routes.
Fitzgerald completed solely trying up at one receiver in NFL historical past.
Profession stats: 17,492 yards, 121 TDs
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1. Jerry Rice
The Tom Brady of large receivers.
Rice was so good for thus lengthy that he is the undisputed GOAT of his place.
He additionally paired with Joe Montana, the second-best QB of all-time, to show the San Francisco 49ers right into a dynasty.
Rice’s information seem untouchable proper now, highlighted by a greater than 5,000 yard benefit for the all-time receiving report.
Wideouts grew to become louder and flashier after Rice lastly walked away in 2004 however nobody has come near being higher.
His work ethic is unparalleled and it is easy to argue that Rice is the second-best offensive participant in NFL historical past, solely trailing Brady.
Profession stats: 22,895 yards, 197 TDs
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