The 50 greatest WRs of all time

Standing at 6-foot-8, Harold Carmichael was a difficult target to miss. The four-time Pro Bowler also possessed a great set of hands. Carmichael led the NFL in catches, receiving yards and receiving yards per game in 1973. The Professional Football Researchers Association inducted him into its "Hall of Very Good" in 2009. 

Andre Rison may have never been the best wide receiver in the NFL, but he produced impressive numbers during stints with the Atlanta Falcons and Kansas City Chiefs. The five-time Pro Bowler led the NFL in touchdown grabs in 1993. He accumulated over 1,000 receiving yards in five separate campaigns. 

Long before the birth of the modern era of pro football and passing attacks, Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Tom Fears was one of the best in the business. The one-time All-Pro and one-time champion led the league in receptions from 1948 through 1950, his first three campaigns. According to the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Fears set records for single-season receptions in 1949 and 1950. 

Between 1958 and 1965, Tommy McDonald was named to six Pro Bowl squads while with the Philadelphia Eagles and Los Angeles Rams. The Hall of Famer led the NFL in receiving yards in 1961, and he twice led the league in scoring grabs. Per the Pro Football Hall of Fame, McDonald sat sixth all time in career receptions, fourth in career receiving yards and second all time in career receiving touchdowns when he called time on his playing days following the 1968 season. 

Charley Taylor notched 11 rushing touchdowns for the Washington Redskins in his first three seasons, but he proved to be an even better weapon in the passing attack. Taylor led the league in receptions in 1966 and 1967, and he was named to eight Pro Bowl teams between 1964 and 1975. He retired with what was, at the time, an NFL record 649 receptions, per Don Cronin of UPI. 

Football fans remember Chad Johnson for the pro wrestling-esque promos he cut, his entertaining celebrations and the fact that he changed his last name to "Ochocinco" for a period of time. Johnson also happened to be one of the greatest wide receivers of the 2000s. The six-time Pro Bowler accumulated over 1,000 receiving yards in six of seven seasons between 2002 and 2009. According to ESPN's Katherine Terrell, Johnson and Jerry Rice were the only receivers to lead their conferences in receiving yards for four straight seasons as of February 2017. 

Long before he had some fun trolling fans of the Philadelphia Eagles at an NFL Draft , Drew Pearson was one of the greatest Dallas Cowboys in history. The three-time first-team All-Pro led the NFL in receiving yards and receiving yards per game in 1977. He is a member of the Professional Football Researchers Association's 2010 Hall of Very Good. 

The New York Jets and Tampa Bay Buccaneers did well to just get Keyshawn Johnson the damn ball. Johnson was named to three Pro Bowl teams during his career, and he tallied 70-plus receptions in nine of 11 seasons. He easily could have continued playing past the 2006 season, but he found a different calling in the football world. 

When in his prime, Brandon Marshall was one of the best breakaway receivers of his era. Marshall is a one-time first-team All-Pro who has been named to six Pro Bowl teams, and he finished the 2015 season tied atop the leaderboard for touchdown receptions. He tallied 100-plus catches in six seasons. 

At just 30 years old, A.J. Green isn't finished giving nightmares to defensive backs. Green was named to Pro Bowl teams each season from 2011 through 2017, and there are no signs that he is slowing down anytime soon. He'll be remembered as one of the best receivers of the current decade. 

Rod Smith notched over 1,000 receiving yards in eight seasons while with the Denver Broncos. The three-time Pro Bowler and two-time Super Bowl champion became the first undrafted player to reach 10,000 receiving yards in a career, per the Associated Press/ESPN. He was Denver's greatest-ever receiver when he retired. 

Elroy "Crazylegs" Hirsch tied and broke multiple records during the 1951 season. Hirsch finished that year first in receptions, receiving yards, touchdown catches and all-purpose yards. He averaged over 18 yards per reception, which is still good for 25th overall in NFL history. 

Until somebody matches and surpasses his numbers, Jimmy Smith is the greatest receiver in the history of the Jacksonville Jaguars. Smith, a five-time Pro Bowler, led the NFL in receptions in 1999. From 1996 to 2005, Smith tallied over 1,000 receiving yards in nine of 10 seasons. 

A trade between the New England Patriots and Miami Dolphins changed the career of Wes Welker. After linking up with Tom Brady, Welker became the greatest receiver in franchise history, and he was named to Pro Bowl rosters every year from 2008 through 2012. After leading the NFL in receptions three times with the Patriots, Welker went on to play with Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos. 

Derrick Mason set the record for single-season all-purpose yards during the 2000 season, as explained by Jarrett Bell of USA Today, a mark that has since been eclipsed. Per Bleacher Report's Andrea Hangst, Mason was the first player in history to tally 10,000 receiving yards and 5,000 return yards. He accumulated 1,000-plus receiving yards in eight campaigns. 

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Lynn Swann wasn't only responsible for one of the most famous catches in NFL history. The MVP of Super Bowl X won four titles during his storied career, and he was named to three Pro Bowl teams from 1975 through 1978. As Burt Levine of Houston Style Magazine wrote, Swann retired with 364 receiving yards and 398 all-purpose yards in Super Bowl appearances, which were records at the time. 

Irving Fryar was named to five Pro Bowl teams between 1985 and 1997, and he scored a career-best 11 single-season receiving touchdowns at the age of 34. Per Brad James of Bleacher Report, Fryar was the first player to catch touchdown passes from 19 different quarterbacks. He was the greatest receiver for the New England Patriots in the 1980s.

In August 2018, 29-year-old Julio Jones is the best receiver in the NFL. Jones is already a five-time Pro Bowler, and he led the NFL with 136 receptions in 2015. Only Marvin Harrison ever caught more passes in a single season, per Pro-Football-Reference. 

A neck injury ended Sterling Sharpe's career after only seven seasons. During his time with the Green Bay Packers, Sharpe was a three-time first-team All-Pro named to five Pro Bowl squads. He twice led the NFL in touchdown catches, and he led the league in receptions on three occasions. 

Multiple injury woes prevented John Stallworth from having the career he should have enjoyed. Nevertheless, Stallworth made it to the Hall of Fame. The four-time Super Bowl champion earned three Pro Bowl nods, and he tallied 12 postseason touchdowns and a catch in 17 consecutive playoff games, per Adam Rank of NFL.com. 

While Henry Ellard never played for a championship team, he was an exceptional athlete and a home run hitter as a receiver. Ellard was a two-time first-team All-Pro and three-time Pro Bowler who led the NFL in receiving yards in 1988. He twice led the league in receiving yards per game. 

The only Super Bowl MVP from Erie, Pennsylvania, Fred Biletnikoff was one of the best route-runners of his generation. Between 1967 and 1974, Biletnikoff was named to six Pro Bowl teams, and he was a two-time first-team All-Pro. He led the NFL in receptions in 1971. 

By the time all is said and done, Antonio Brown may surpass every Pittsburgh Steelers receiver who came before him; if he hasn't done so already. Ben Roethlisberger's favorite big-play threat is a six-time Pro Bowler and four-time first-team All-Pro, and he's led the NFL in receptions and receiving yards on two occasions. At just 30 years old, Brown isn't finished building on what are already impressive Hall of Fame credentials. 

According to the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Charlie Joiner had more seasons under his belt (18) and more receptions (750) than any other player when he retired. Joiner was a first-team All-Pro named to three Pro Bowl teams from 1976 through 1980. He tallied at least 50 catches in seven seasons as a pro. 

Michael Irvin was lucky enough to play for one of the greatest offenses of the 1990s, but the three-time Super Bowl champion was also a big reason for the successes of the Dallas Cowboys that decade. Irvin was named to Pro Bowl teams each season between 1991 and 1995, and he led the league in receiving yards in 1991. "The Playmaker" is one of the best players in franchise history. 

One of the members of the St. Louis Rams team known as The Greatest Show on Turf, Torry Holt earned trips to seven Pro Bowl games between 2000 and 2007. Holt twice led the league in receiving yards, and he is widely seen as the second greatest receiver in franchise history. Per the Associated Press/Yahoo Sports, Holt retired 10th all time in career receiving yards and 13th in career receptions. 

Paul Warfield was such a special talent, he can boast of being the best wide receiver in the history of two different franchises — the Cleveland Browns and Miami Dolphins. The three-time champion earned eight Pro Bowl nods during his Hall of Fame career, and he is one of only six players to average at least 20 yards per catch during his career, according to Pro-Football-Reference. 

Anquan Boldin's numbers could sneak up on a casual fan, if only because he was never viewed as the best at the position. As of August 2018, Boldin is ninth in career receptions and 14th in career receiving yards. The three-time Pro Bowler and one-time Super Bowl champion accumulated over 1,000 receiving yards in seven seasons. 

When Andre Johnson retired after the 2016 season, he walked away the greatest wide receiver in the history of the Houston Texans. Johnson holds numerous franchise records, and he tallied 100-plus catches in five different seasons. He was named to seven Pro Bowl teams between 2004 and 2013. The Hall of Fame should have a spot reserved for him. 

Andre Reed was the top wide receiver for those Buffalo Bills teams that made it to four Super Bowl games but failed to win even one of them. The seven-time Pro Bowler and Hall of Famer earned a reputation for not being afraid to go over the middle and beat linebackers and safeties to passes. Per Matthew Fairburn of Syracuse.com, Reed retired second all-time in Super Bowl catches and third in career Super Bowl receiving yards. 

Maybe the best statistic from Art Monk's Hall of Fame career is that he converted roughly two-thirds of the 888 catches he accumulated while with the Washington Redskins into first downs, according to the club's official website. The three-time Super Bowl champion was a three-time Pro Bowler, and he led the NFL in receptions in 1984. Monk became the all-time leader in career receptions in 1992, but his mark has been surpassed by many others since his retirement. 

The Indianapolis Colts already had Peyton Manning and Marvin Harrison on the roster when the club acquired Reggie Wayne. That draft selection worked out well for everybody. A six-time Pro Bowler, Wayne led the NFL in receiving yards in 2007, and he sits 10th all time in career receptions and receiving yards ahead of the 2018 campaign. 

Hines Ward was never the biggest target for quarterbacks such as Ben Roethlisberger, nor was he the best at the position in any given season. The two-time champion and MVP of Super Bowl XL was a consistent figure in the Pittsburgh offense for over a decade. He also earned a reputation for being a dirty player because he rarely shied from blocking assignments and delivering what some would have called "questionable" hits. 

James Lofton earned eight Pro Bowl nods between 1978 and 1991, and he was the NFL's leader in career receiving yards when he retired, according to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. He notched 100 receiving yards in 43 games over his career, and he scored eight times in 13 postseason contests. 

Diminutive in stature compared to many No. 1 receivers, Steve Smith Sr. was a giant as it pertained to production. Smith led the NFL in receptions, receiving yards and receiving touchdowns in 2005, and the five-time Pro Bowler remains 12th all time in career catches and eighth in career receiving yards even though he retired after the 2016 season. He should be a first-ballot Hall of Famer. 

The great Johnny Unitas needed to throw the ball to somebody. Fortunately, he had a Hall of Famer for a teammate. Wide receiver Raymond Berry, Unitas' favorite target, was a six-time Pro Bowler, three-time All-Pro and two-time NFL champion who thrice led the league in receptions and receiving yards. He also led the NFL twice in touchdown catches. 

Ranking Marvin Harrison among the greatest wide receivers of all time is difficult because he spent the majority of his career playing alongside Peyton Manning, the best regular-season quarterback in history. Statistically, Harrison remains fifth all time in receptions and receiving scores. When Harrison retired, the eight-time Pro Bowl receiver and Manning held career records for completed passes, yards and touchdowns by a duo in league history, per the Pro Football Hall of Fame. 

The leading receiver of The Greatest Show on Turf, Isaac Bruce posted one of the greatest seasons seen from the position in 1995 when he caught 119 passes, tallied 13 receiving scores and accumulated 1,781 receiving yards. The four-time Pro Bowler sits fifth all time in career receiving yards. His 73-yard touchdown reception from Kurt Warner helped the St. Louis Rams defeat the Tennessee Titans in Super Bowl XXXIV. 

Like most of the members of the New York Jets team that defeated the Baltimore Colts to win Super Bowl III, wide receiver Don Maynard was somewhat overshadowed by quarterback Joe Namath. Don't discount Maynard's importance to Gang Green during his 13 seasons with the club. Maynard was named to four Pro Bowl teams, and one could argue he retired as the greatest receiver of his era. 

Playing alongside quarterback John Hadl, San Diego Chargers wide receiver Lance Alworth may have been the most talented wide receiver in all of pro football from 1963 through the end of the decade. The seven-time AFL All-Star who earned first-team All-AFL honors on six occasions was the first player in history to accumulate 200 receiving yards in five games during a single season. Per Bill Center of the San Diego Union-Tribune, Alworth set records by tallying at least one reception in 96 consecutive games, posting seven straight seasons of 1,000-plus receiving yards and averaging over 100 receiving yards per game in three straight campaigns. 

As Frank Litsky of the NY Times explained, Bob Hayes is credited with unintentionally bringing zone defenses to the NFL, as defensive backs otherwise couldn't keep up with the Olympic sprinter who featured at wide receiver for the Dallas Cowboys for the bulk of his career. The three-time Pro Bowl receiver twice led the NFL in touchdown grabs. He tallied double-digit scores in five of his first six campaigns. 

The biggest reason Calvin Johnson isn't higher on this list is because he retired at the age of 30 after only nine seasons in the league. Affectionately known as Megatron, Johnson was, at the very worst, one of the best receivers in the league throughout his tenure with the Detroit Lions. The greatest receiver in franchise history was a three-time All-Pro and six-time Pro Bowler. He won't have to wait long for his day in Canton. 

Those of you who watched Cris Carter during his career probably know that all he did was catch touchdowns. The Hall of Famer, who is fourth all time in career receiving touchdowns, led the league in catching scores on three occasions. A two-time first team All-Pro, Carter was named to eight Pro Bowl squads. 

Tim Brown wasn't the most dominant receiver in the league during his excellent career, but the nine-time Pro Bowler was consistently elite throughout his prime. Starting in 1993, Brown accumulated at least 80 receptions in nine of the following 10 campaigns. He is seventh all time in career receptions and receiving yards and ninth in career touchdown catches. 

Unless Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald experiences a horrendous 2018 season, he'll move to second all time in receiving yards. He also should finish the campaign second all time in career catches. The 11-time Pro Bowler who has twice led the NFL in receptions and who has spent his entire career with a single club remains one of the sport's best ambassadors. Pro football will be worse off when he retires. 

A seven-time Pro Bowl receiver who led the NFL in receiving yards on two occasions, Steve Largent is the greatest offensive player, to date, in the history of the Seattle Seahawks. He held six different records — including being the first NFL player to tally 100 receiving touchdowns in a career — when he retired, per the Pro Football Hall of Fame. The Hall of Famer remains one of only 10 men to notch 100 career receiving scores.

All things considered, Green Bay Packers legend Don Hutson may be the godfather of all-time great wide receivers. Between 1936 and 1945, the eight-time, first-team All-Pro dominated numerous receiving categories. According to the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Hutson held 18 different NFL records when he retired after the 1945 campaign. Naturally, Hutson led the NFL in catches that year. 

If punishing football crimes was a real thing, certain writers would have to serve some hard time for not putting Terrell Owens into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility. T.O. is eighth all time in receptions, second all time in receiving yards and third in career touchdown catches. The six-time Pro Bowler produced one of the historically heroic performances of the Super Bowl era when he worked to return from a serious leg injury ahead of schedule to play for the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl XXXIX. He caught nine passes for 122 yards in the loss. 

Randy Moss' overall career doesn't match that belonging to the G.O.A.T. When Moss was at his absolute best and also fully invested in the cause, as he was during the 2007 season, the six-time Pro Bowler dominated defenses more than any receiver before him. On multiple occasions, as he did in 2009, per ESPN's Mike Reiss , Bill Belichick referred to Moss as the "smartest receiver" he has coached and been around. Moss led the NFL in touchdown receptions on five occasions.

Jerry Rice isn't known as the greatest of all time just because he holds more records than can be mentioned in this short post. It's also because nobody has come all that close to flirting with matching Rice in categories such as receptions, receiving yards and receiving touchdowns. If that wasn't enough, the three-time Super Bowl champion, 13-time Pro Bowl receiver and 10-time first-team All-Pro happened to be one of the top big-game receivers in history. There's Rice, and then there's a wide gap that separates everybody else.