NFL Winners

Top 10 NFL Wide Receivers Of All-time

September 2, 2024

Wide receivers are football’s of show-stealers. The guys who can turn a boring run-of-the-mill game into a highlight reel with just one catch.

Over the years, the NFL has seen some truly jaw-dropping talent at this position. These players didn’t just run routes; they ran away with our hearts.

Best Wide Receivers In History

Let’s break down our best top 10 wide receivers who made defenses look silly and kept us glued to our seats, snacks in hand.

1. Jerry Rice

Receptions: 1,549 | Rec. Avg: 4.7 pg
Rec Yards: 22,895 | Yds Avg: 69.8 pg
Touchdowns: 197 | TD Avg: 0.6 pg
Super Bowl Wins: 3
Years Active: 1985-2004
Teams: San Francisco 49ers, Oakland Raiders, Seattle Seahawks

Jerry Rice is number 1 on our list and regarded as the greatest wide receiver in NFL history, for good reason.

His records for receptions, receiving yards, and receiving touchdowns are all-time highs that may never be broken.

Rice’s work ethic, route-running precision, and ability to perform in big games—especially in Super Bowls, make him the gold standard for all receivers.

2. Randy Moss

Receptions: 982 | Rec. Avg: 4.2 pg
Receiving Yards: 15,292 | Yds Avg: 64.3 pg
Touchdowns: 156 | TD Avg: 0.7 pg
Super Bowl Wins: 0
Years Active: 1998-2012
Teams: Minnesota Vikings, Oakland Raiders, New England Patriots, Tennessee Titans, San Francisco 49ers

Randy Moss was a game-changer from the moment he stepped onto the field.

Known for his speed and ability to make some crazy catches, Moss could take over a game in an instant.

His 23 touchdown receptions in the 2007 season remain an NFL record. Though he never won a Super Bowl, Moss’s impact on the game is undeniable.

3. Terrell Owens

Receptions: 1,078 | Rec. Avg: 4.8 pg
Rec Yards: 15,934 | Yds Avg: 71.9 pg
Touchdowns: 153 | TD Avg: 0.7 pg
Super Bowl Wins: 0
Years Active: 1996-2010
Teams: San Francisco 49ers, Philadelphia Eagles, Dallas Cowboys, Buffalo Bills, Cincinnati Bengals

Terrell “T.O” Owens, was one of the most physically gifted receivers the NFL has ever seen.

His combo of size, speed, and strength made him a fan favorite and a big problem for defenders.

Owens ranks third all-time in receiving yards and touchdowns, and his memorable performances—including playing in the Super Bowl on a broken leg, solidified his place among the greats.

4. Larry Fitzgerald

Receptions: 1,432 | Rec. Avg: 5.0 pg
Rec Yards: 17,492 | Yds Avg: 61.8 pg
Touchdowns: 121 | TD Avg: 0.4 pg
Super Bowl Wins: 0
Years Active: 2004-2020
Teams: Arizona Cardinals

Larry Fitzgerald rarely ever played a bad game and that reliability made him one of the best wide-receivers in NFL history.

Known for his sticky hands and ability to make tough catches, Fitzgerald was the go-to target for the Cardinals for nearly two decades.

His playoff performances, including a legendary 2008 postseason run, showcased his clutch ability.

5. Calvin Johnson

Receptions: 731 | Rec. Avg: 5.4 pg
Rec Yards: 11,619 | Yds Avg: 86.1 pg
Touchdowns: 83 | TD Avg: 0.6 pg
Super Bowl Wins: 0
Years Active: 2007-2015
Teams: Detroit Lions

Calvin “Megatron” Johnson, known was a physical specimen unlike any other at the receiver position.

Standing at 6’5″ with blazing speed, Johnson was nearly impossible to defend.

He set the single-season receiving yards record with 1,964 yards in 2012, a mark that still stands. Despite a shorter career, Johnson’s impact was legendary in Detroit.

6. Marvin Harrison

Receptions: 1,102 | Rec. Avg: 5.8 pg
Rec Yards: 14,580 | Yds Avg: 77.4 pg
Touchdowns: 128 | TD Avg: 0.7 pg
Super Bowl Wins: 1
Years Active: 1996-2008
Teams: Indianapolis Colts

Marvin Harrison’s chemistry with quarterback Peyton Manning was one of the best duos in NFL history.

Known for his ability to run routes flawlessly, and soft hands, Harrison was a key part of the Colts’ success in the late 90s and 2000s.

Harrison’s 143 receptions in 2002 set an NFL record that stood for over a decade.

7. Cris Carter

Receptions: 1,101 | Rec. Avg: 4.9 pg
Rec: 13,899 | Yds Avg: 61.5 pg
Touchdowns: 130 | TD Avg: 0.6 pg
Super Bowl Wins: 0
Years Active: 1987-2002
Teams: Philadelphia Eagles, Minnesota Vikings, Miami Dolphins

Cris Carter was known for his incredible catching and ability to bring in touchdowns from nearly any body positioning, famously coining the phrase “all he does is catch touchdowns.”

Carter was a red-zone threat throughout his career, finishing with 130 touchdown receptions, fourth-most in NFL history.

His ability to make difficult catches in traffic made him a reliable target in the clutch.

8. Steve Largent

Receptions: 819 | Rec. Avg: 4.1 pg
Rec: 13,089 | Yds Avg: 66.1 pg
Touchdowns: 100 | TD Avg: 0.5 pg
Super Bowl Wins: 0
Years Active: 1976-1989
Teams: Seattle Seahawks

Steve Largent was one of the most consistent and reliable receivers of his era.

Playing his entire career with the Seahawks, Largent retired as the NFL’s all-time leader in receptions, receiving yards, and touchdowns.

His route-running skills and sure hands made him a favorite target for quarterbacks and a thorn in the side of defenses.

9. Michael Irvin

Receptions: 750 | Rec. Avg: 4.8 pg
Rec: 11,904 | Yds Avg: 76.7 pg
Touchdowns: 65 | TD Avg: 0.4 pg
Super Bowl Wins: 3
Years Active: 1988-1999
Teams: Dallas Cowboys

Michael Irvin, known as “The Playmaker,” was the emotional fand spiritual leader of the Dallas Cowboys dynasty in the 1990s.

Irvin’s big plays in big moments helped the Cowboys win three Super Bowls.

His physical style of play and love of the big stage earned him a place among our greatest receivers in NFL history.

10. Don Hutson

Receptions: 488 | Rec. Avg: 4.1 pg
Rec: 7,991 | Yds Avg: 67.5 pg
Touchdowns: 99 | TD Avg: 0.8 pg
Super Bowl Wins: 0 (pre-Super Bowl era)
Years Active: 1935-1945
Teams: Green Bay Packers

Don Hutson was the NFL’s first true receiving star.

Playing in an era when passing was not the primary mode of offense, Hutson dominated the league, leading in receptions, receiving yards, and touchdowns multiple times.

His 99 career touchdown receptions were a record that stood for decades, and he helped redefine the wide receiver position.

Best NFL Wide Receivers Statistics

This table shows the career totals of the top 10 wide receivers in NFL history, with stats for receptions, receiving yards, touchdowns, and Super Bowl wins.

Player	Rec.	Rec. Yards	TDs	SB Wins
1. Jerry Rice	1,549	22,895	197	3
2. Randy Moss	982	15,292	156	0
3. Terrell Owens	1,078	15,934	153	0
4. Larry Fitzgerald	1,432	17,492	121	0
5. Calvin Johnson	731	11,619	83	0
6. Marvin Harrison	1,102	14,580	128	1
7. Cris Carter	1,101	13,899	130	0
8. Steve Largent	819	13,089	100	0
9. Michael Irvin	750	11,904	65	3
10. Don Hutson	488	7,991	99	0