Bengals Top 10 Wide Receivers Of All Time 

One of the more exciting parts of 1990s Bengal football and a serious deep-ball threat, Darnay Scott kicks off this list as the tenth-best receiver in Cincinnati’s history. With the Bengals, he had 5,975 receiving yards (eighth in franchise history), 36 receiving touchdowns (tied for eighth in franchise history), and is the only player here with zero fumbles. 

He had some great teammates, but Scott is often remembered as one of the best parts of this era of Cincinnati football. Considering he’s also the floor for this list, the Bengals have one of the better track records of receivers in all of the NFL.

9. Tyler Boyd (2016-2023)

A big part of the Bengals’ last Super Bowl run, Tyler Boyd, was a fixture of this team for the tail end of one era and the start of another. Playing for both Andy Dalton and Joe Burrow, he had 6000 receiving yards (seventh in franchise history) and 31 receiving touchdowns (13th in franchise history).

Boyd was a fan favorite and consistently appeared in pivotal moments. He was also extremely fortunate to play with two other players who grace this list, as he was a third of the best receiving trio in franchise history. 

8. TJ Houshmandzadeh (2001-2008)

The definitive WR2 for Cincinnati in the 2000s, TJ Houshmandzadeh, comes in as the eighth-best receiver in franchise history. As a Bengal, he had 5,782 receiving yards (ninth in franchise history) and 37 receiving touchdowns (seventh in franchise history).

A constant target for Carson Palmer, Houshmandzadeh made opposing defenders’ lives miserable during his stint in Cincinnati. Constantly luring the attention either of or away from opposing defenses, he ensured that he would forever be remembered fondly by fans. 

7. Tee Higgins (2019-present)

One of the newer players on this list, Tee Higgins, has been one of the Bengals’ brighter spots during the 2020s. In his relatively short time with the team, he has 4,684 receiving yards (12th in franchise history) and 35 receiving touchdowns (10th in franchise history).

Higgins is a great route runner and a skilled ball carrier, but his standout feature is his hands. Whether it’s tracking a ball in traffic, toe tapping a sideline pass, or hauling one in from deep, he always seems to grab the ball while positioning it away from defenders.

Still on the first year of his extension through 2029, Higgins should continue to be a reliable target for whoever is under center in Cincinnati. Sure, it helps when that man is Burrow, but he’s an impact player regardless. If it weren’t for his teammate later on this list, he would easily be a WR1.

6. Cris Collinsworth (1981-1988)

Although he wasn’t the best WR to play for Cincinnati in the 1980s (more on that later), Cris Collinsworth was the definitive receiver of the decade for the Bengals. In his time, he accrued 6,698 receiving yards, 36 receiving touchdowns, and represented Cincinnati in the Pro Bowl three times. 

Born in Dayton, Ohio, and spending his entire career with the Bengals, Collinsworth is a true Ohioan. His play reflected well on his state, as he was an integral part of the team’s (unsuccessful) 1982 Super Bowl run and remains one of the very best at the position for his team.  

He remains the only player in NFL history to accrue at least 1000 regular-season receiving yards and over 100 receiving yards in the Super Bowl as a rookie. Somehow, there’s still someone later on this list who had a better start to their career.

5. Carl Pickens (1992-1999)

Carrying the Bengals through the 1990s, Carl Pickens spent all but the final year of his career with Cincinnati. In that time, he put up 6,887 receiving yards, 63 touchdowns, was a two-time Pro-Bowler, and took home the Offensive Rookie of the Year Award in 1992. 

Despite the carousel of quarterbacks that manned the team during his playing time (eight in total over eight years), Pickens’ production was consistently great. Currently sitting at fourth in all-time franchise receiving yards and third in receiving touchdowns, his legacy is safe among the best at the position for the Bengals. 

4. Isaac Curtis (1973-1984)

The first truly great receiver in Bengals’ history, Isaac Curtis, posted a career that still holds up in the franchise’s record books. He accrued 7,101 receiving yards (third in franchise history), 53 receiving touchdowns, and was a four-time Pro-Bowler. 

While Curtis did spend each of his 12 years in the NFL with Cincinnati, granting him a long period to stuff his stats, he was more than impressive during that time. His performances ensured that his name is, and always will be, at the top of multiple Bengal franchise records, and place him as the fourth best in the team’s history. 

3. AJ Green (2011-2020)

Maybe the smoothest WR to ever run through this team, AJ Green routinely made the impossible look effortless. In his time as a Bengal, he racked up 9,430 receiving yards (second in franchise history), 65 touchdowns (second in franchise history), and represented Cincinnati in the Pro Bowl seven times. 

Green was the favorite target of Andy Dalton, so he was always peppered with passes regardless of the matchup, and he turned these looks into a crazy level of production. Considering he was the best player on the team for the better part of a decade, putting Green anywhere lower than third on this list would be slanderous.

2. Ja’Marr Chase (2021-present)

The best wide receiver in today’s NFL, and second best in Bengals history, is the WR with RB carrying ability: Ja’Marr Chase. He’s accrued 5,616 receiving yards, 47 receiving touchdowns, and is a four-time Pro-Bowler, one-time all-pro, and former Offensive Rookie of the Year winner. 

Chase took home the triple crown last season, leading the league in receptions (127), yards (1,708), and touchdowns (17). Sure, it helps that he’s playing with the best quarterback in franchise history (who happens to be his college QB), but he’s also the most skilled receiver in the NFL.

Only in his fifth season with the team, Chase is already arguably the most talented at the position Cincinnati has ever seen, and is on pace to break every record in the Bengals’ book. There is one hurdle he’ll have to clear, though, in a man who left mighty big shoes to fill. 

1. Chad Johnson (2001-2010)

Despite Chase’s talent, at this point, Chad Johnson (the man formally known as “Ochocinco”) is the greatest receiver in Bengals’ history. He holds the franchise record for all-time receiving yards (10,783), receiving touchdowns (66), represented Cincinnati in the Pro Bowl six times, and is a two-time All-Pro.

Johnson defined the 2000s for Cincinnati, even more so than Palmer. Week in and week out, you could expect him to pull in multiple catches, score, and do so with a ridiculous amount of flash. 

Still a massive Bengals fan and one of their biggest supporters in sports media, Johnson continues to be the epitome of a Cincinnati WR. Chase seems poised to surpass him eventually, but as it stands, Ocho is the unequivocal greatest receiver to ever play for this franchise. 

Bengals Honorable Mentions

Despite not making this list, there are still some Cincinnati receivers who are absolutely worth mentioning. These include Eddie Brown (1985-1991), Tim McGee (1986-1994), Peter Warrick (2000-2004), Jerome Simpson (2008-2011), Marvin Jones (2012-2015), and Mohamed Sanu (2012-2015). Terrell Owens also spent his final season as a Bengal in 2010, and was a deadly duo with Ocho.

End Of My Bengals Rant 

The Bengals have had some truly impressive players at the WR position, and possibly have the best talent they’ve ever had currently on the team in Chase. Johnson’s numbers are staggering, but it would take something monumentally negative for Chase not to surpass him. 

Even the players who didn’t make the list are some of the most exciting players to have run through the NFL, and made some poor teams fun to watch. They’ve had a few great quarterbacks, but if there’s one position associated with this team in their franchise more than others, it’s wide receiver.