Top Slot Receivers Of All Time
A good quarterback can make or break an NFL team, but in many instances, a good wide receiver can make or break a quarterback.
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The prototypical wide receiver is tall enough that a 510 or 511 cornerback cant cover him, hes fast enough to get open, even in double coverage, and he needs sure hands to be able to secure a catch in traffic. The ability to block isnt always a requirement, but its a bonus that can prolong the career of an otherwise mediocre talent.
In the NFL, white players have become less and less common at the wide receiver position, as they now represent only a marginal fraction of the receivers who actually make a difference in the slot. It includes every starting wide receiver from throughout New England Patriots history, including current wide receivers and past ones. Featuring current New England Patriots and some of the greatest NFL wide receivers of all time, the best Patriots WRs include Julian Edelman, Stanley Morgan, Troy Brown, and Wes Welker.
Jerry Rice is the only receiver who's records may not ever be broken. A player would have to have an all NFL pro bowl year every year for 16 years, then break them in his 17th season. The greatest receiver in Packers history, Don Hutson was the first great receiver in NFL history. During his ten year career, Hutson led the NFL in touchdowns receptions nine times, receptions.
What I Looked At to Compile My Rankings :
Wide receivers are primarily judged by the main receiving statistics catches, yards, yards per catch, and touchdowns. What a wide receiver can do when hes not paired up with an elite quarterback is sometimes the ultimate test; nearly any wide receiver can look good with Peyton Manning throwing to him, but what if his quarterback is an average talent? Can that receiver still get open and still make plays?
Individual accolades like Pro Bowl selections and First-Team All-Pro honors go a long way, as do AP Offensive Player of the Year awards (no wide receiver in the modern era has won league MVP). I also focused on what a receiver did in the postseason, when up against the stiffest competition. Did he disappear or did he make the best catches when the stage was the biggest?
Statistics dont tell the whole story; I want to know what receivers would help a new team with a completely random quarterback, in a new offense, and in a new system. Is the receiver physically powerful enough to make plays, or did he succeed largely because of his quarterback/head coach?
I ranked 100 receivers on this list, so I broke the article into three parts for easier reading. This part will focus on the receivers ranked 20 through 1; Part II included wide receivers 50 through 21; and Part I was wide receivers ranked 100 through 51.
Click here to read Part I (100-51) .
Click here to read Part II (50-21) .
20. Pete Pihos (1947-1955)
At a time when passing still reigned secondary to a running game, Pete Pihos was a special player, and he seemed to get better as time went on. Pihos led the NFL in receptions each of his final three seasons, abruptly retiring after he posted a 62/864/7 receiving line and earned an All-Pro selection. Pihos played both ways, serving as a defensive end on the other side of the ball, and finishing with six Pro Bowls and five AP All-Pro selections. He also played a key role for the Philadelphia Eagles teams that repeated as champions from 1948 to 1949
19. Isaac Bruce (1994-2009)
Isaac Bruce put up extraordinary numbers during his playing career, finishing with the fourth-most receiving yards at his position (15,208) in NFL history. Bruce topped 1,000 eight times, putting up a ridiculous 1,781 in his second season, a total that would have set a league record had it not occurred the same season that Jerry Rice totaled 1,848. Bruce was never a First-Team All-Pro and made just four Pro Bowls, which may be why he isnt in the Hall of Fame yet, but he will get in sooner than later. Bruce is one of just three receivers with 1,000 catches and 15,000 receiving yards, and he caught a 73-yard touchdown reception from Kurt Warner in the 1999 Super Bowl (which remarkably, wasnt even his longest touchdown catch that postseason).
18. Tommy McDonald (1957-1968)
Its a wonder that Tommy McDonald was able to have an NFL career at just 59, 178 pounds, let alone be one of the greatest wide receivers the league has ever seen. McDonald who was the last non-special teams player to play without a facemask missed just three games in his first 11 seasons.
He made six Pro Bowls in his career, topping 1,000 yards three times and leading the NFL in touchdown catches twice. McDonald retired sixth all-time in receptions, fourth in receiving yards, and second to just Don Hutson in touchdown catches. McDonald played a big role for the Philadelphia Eagles in their 1960 championship title, securing the games first touchdown on a 35-yard grab from Norm Van Brocklin.
17. Calvin Johnson (2007-2015)
In terms of positional dominance, Calvin Johnson should be ranked higher than 18 th on an all-time greatest wide receivers list. Hes a physical freak like the NFL may never see again; hes 65, 239 pounds, and can run a 4.35 40-yard dash. Its no wonder he can do this to opposing defensive backs . Johnsons career 86.07 receiving yards-per-game average is the highest ever by a retired wide receiver. Johnsons accolades are overwhelming he made six Pro Bowls and three First-Team All-Pro selections in nine seasons. He was the fastest player to top 10,000 receiving yards. He broke Jerry Rices single-season record for receiving yards (1,964) and averaged 1,467 over a five-year span. And in the playoffs, no one could stop Johnson in two postseason contests, hes averaged a 8.5/148/1 statline.
Sure, Johnson benefited from a pass-happy offense in which quarterback Matthew Stafford has been allowed to throw the ball over 40 times per game regularly. But thats not what keeps him from ranking higher. Simply put, what keeps him from ranking in the top 10 or 15 or even five, which may have been the case if he had kept playing is his shortened career. Johnson is 36 th at his position in receptions, 26 th in yards, and 20 th in touchdown catches. If he had kept playing, he would shoot up those all-time lists, but as of now, his career especially in the pass-inflated era doesnt quite hold up to others who were nearly as good and played substantially longer.
16. Sterling Sharpe (1988-1994)
If he hadnt gotten injured and been forced to retire prematurely, Sterling Sharpe would assuredly be in the top 10 at his position. As it stands, he should still be in the Hall of Fame, even though he played just seven seasons.
Sharpe was listed at 511, 207 pounds, but played as if he was the biggest man on the field. In his autobiography ( Reggie White in the Trenches ), Reggie White talked about how Sharpe used to practice with every positional group on the field, and how Sharpe probably could have been a star at all of them.
Its ironic that a neck injury forced Sharpe to retire after just seven seasons because he never missed a game during his playing days. Sharpe soaked up targets as Brett Favres primary receiver in Green Bay, leading the NFL in receptions three times and twice setting the single-season mark for catches (he broke his own record the second year). There are two receivers since the NFL-AFL merger to lead the league in catches at least three times; Sharpe is the only one who wasnt a slot receiver (Wes Welker did it).
Sharpes retirement came after an 18-touchdown season in which he made his fifth Pro Bowl, and right before a string of three consecutive MVP awards by Brett Favre; imagine what Sharpe would have done in that offense. Sharpe caught 13 touchdowns in his final six NFL games. His career postseason numbers are insane two games, 11 catches, 229 yards, and a ridiculous four touchdown grabs. Sharpe should be an easy Hall of Famer, even in his abbreviated career.
15. Marvin Harrison (1996-2008)
Its amazing that Marvin Harrison was able to carve out a career as one of the most productive statistical wide receivers in NFL history, considering he was barely six feet tall and just 175 pounds. Harrison had the benefit of playing with Peyton Manning, but he was also a highly-talented wideout who excelled as a route runner.
Harrisons pure receiving numbers hold their own against almost everyone who ever played. Over an eight-year span (1999-2006), Harrison averaged 103 catches, 1,402 yards, and 13 receiving touchdowns per season. Twice he led the league in receiving yards. He set the single-season record in receptions (143), absolutely shattering the previous mark held by Herman Moore (123 in 1995). Harrison made the Pro Bowl every year, earned three First-Team All-Pro selections, and missed just two total games due to injury.
Heres what keeps Harrison from moving higher on this list. He was clearly helped from playing with Manning. In the two seasons prior to Manning joining the Indianapolis Colts, Harrison averaged just a 68/851/7 statline. Harrison was completely underwhelming in the postseason, finishing with just two touchdowns in 16 games and both occurred in the same contest. Take away the 2003 postseason, and Harrison never topped five catches or 63 yards in 13 career playoff games.
14. Torry Holt (1999-2009)
Torry Holt had a pretty similar career to Marvin Harrison. They were of similar build, played in the same era, and both did almost all their work in an eight-year stretch. Each also played with a borderline Hall of Fame receiver across him (Isaac Bruce with Holt and Reggie Wayne with Harrison). Holt averaged a 94/1,384/8 line from 2000-07, earning seven Pro Bowl selections, and leading the NFL in receptions twice.
Holt ranks one spot higher because he played with quarterbacks that werent quite as good as Harrisons Kurt Warner was league MVP in 2001, but he faded and Marc Bulger was just average. Holt had better postseason numbers, catching touchdowns in four of his 10 career playoff games, including one in the 1999 Super Bowl win over Tennessee (when Holt was just a rookie). Holt was ridiculously durable for an undersized receiver, missing just three total games in 11 seasons.
13. James Lofton (1978-1993)
James Lofton isnt always remembered among the finest wide receivers to ever play, but hes been a legitimate downfield threat for two decades. Lofton was the first player ever to top 14,000 receiving yards, and his 18.3 yards-per-reception average is by far the highest of the nine receivers with as many yards.
Lofton topped 1,000 yards six times, including 1,072 yards at age 35 for the AFC champion Buffalo Bills. He twice topped the league in yards per catch, and he was durable enough to play every regular-season game for the first nine seasons of his career. Lofton finished with eight Pro Bowls and eight postseason touchdowns in just 13 games.
12. Larry Fitzgerald (2004-Active)
Larry Fitzgerald is a special player. Hes been the face of the Arizona Cardinals franchise since he was drafted, and hes coming off a 109/1,215/9 season at the age of 32. Fitzgeralds best attribute is his ability to make contested catches and score in the red zone; hes led the league in touchdowns twice and next season, hell become the seventh receiver ever with 100 career TD catches. Fitzgerald has an outside chance to eventually move past Cris Carter, Marvin Harrison, and Tim Brown into third place all-time.
Fitzgerald is one of the best postseason performers in history. Hes scored 10 touchdowns in nine playoff games. In 2008, he went over 100 yards with a touchdown in all four games. There was the should-be game-winner against the Pittsburgh Steelers in the Super Bowl. There was the three-touchdown performance in the first half of the NFC Championship Game against the Eagles. Remember the famous Aaron Rodgers Hail Mary game against Arizona this past year? All Fitzgerald did was catch eight passes for 176 yards and a touchdown. Hell one day be a first-ballot Hall of Famer, and hopefully hell have a Super Bowl ring to go with it.
11. Andre Johnson (2003-Active)
Theres probably a consensus that Larry Fitzgerald has had a better career than Andre Johnson, but thats doing an injustice to Johnson. Look at the list of quarterbacks Johnson has played with: aside from Matt Schaub, its a whos-who of mediocre quarterbacks: David Carr, Sage Rosenfels, Case Keenum, Tony Banks, Ryan Fitzpatrick, Matt Hasselbeck, and Ryan Lindley. None of those quarterbacks has sniffed the Pro Bowl.
That makes Johnsons career numbers even more astounding. Johnson has had injury issues throughout his career, but hes still compiled Hall of Fame numbers. Hes one of seven receivers in history with at least 1,000 receptions and 14,000 yards, and hes done it in fewer games (185) than any of the others. Johnson hauls in targets, having caught 100 passes five times, twice leading the league. There are just three receivers since the merger to have led the league in receptions and yards multiple times Johnson, Marvin Harrison, and Jerry Rice. Thats elite company.
Even in the postseason a place where Johnson hasnt been too often hes been a strong performer. Hes averaged six catches and 89 yards in his four playoff contests.
10. Michael Irvin (1988-1999)
There are few wide receivers who could compete with Michael Irvin on a pound-for-pound basis; The Playmaker was the heart and soul of a Dallas Cowboys dynasty that won three Super Bowls in the 90s. As Irvin went, the Cowboys went. Theres no denying Irvin had a boatload of off-the-field issues that would get him in serious hot water with Roger Goodell in todays era, but Irvin also had a work ethic that was difficult to top.
Irvin was a first-round draft pick in 1988, but he struggled his first three seasons, and the Cowboys won a total of just 11 games. Once Irvin became a Pro Bowler in 1991, Dallas won its first playoff game under Jimmy Johnson, and the next year began a string of three championships in four years. Then in early 96, Irvin was infamously arrested for cocaine possession, and the Cowboys won just one playoff game for the rest of his career.
When he was on top of his game, Irvin was nearly unstoppable. He averaged 83 receptions and 1,286 yards over an eight-year period from 1991 to 1998, and the only time he missed was due to a five-game suspension. Irvin earned just one First-Team All-Pro selection during that span due to an influx of wide receiver talent around the league in Jerry Rice, Cris Carter, Sterling Sharpe, and Herman Moore.
But Irvin was at his best in big games. His 1,315 postseason receiving yards are more than any other player in history but Rice. Irvin hauled in eight touchdowns, including two in a span of 18 seconds in the Super Bowl. His career abruptly ended with his infamous spinal injury, but he was an easy Hall of Famer come election time.
9. Raymond Berry (1955-1967)
Raymond Berry was a one-year starter in high school and just a 20 th round draft pick by the Baltimore Colts in 1954, so he was pretty fortunate that the Colts grabbed a quarterback in Johnny Unitas who would turn into one of the greatest to every play.
Berry caught just two total touchdowns in his first two seasons, then became a legitimate star. He made seven Pro Bowls and three First-Team All-Pro teams in an eight-year span. He led the league in receptions three consecutive years and yards three times in four seasons. In fact, heres a complete list of all the receivers to lead the NFL in receptions, yards, and touchdowns at least twice each: Jerry Rice, Don Hutson, Lance Alworth, and Berry.
Berry was a big-time playoff performer. In the Colts overtime win over the New York Giants in the 1958 NFL championship (The Greatest Game Ever Played), Berry set a championship game record with 12 catches (for 178 yards and a touchdown!). In the final drive of regulation and the overtime session, he came up with five big catches.
8. Tim Brown (1988-2004)
All Tim Brown did for his entire NFL career was just produce, year after year, despite rarely having great quarterback play. He caught passes from Rich Gannon, who had a great late-career run and won an MVP award, but aside from that, it was mediocre passers like Jay Schroeder, Jeff Hostetler, Billy Joe Hobert, Jeff George, Wade Wilson, Todd Marinovich, and Steve Beuerlein.
Brown was a Heisman Trophy winner in college and went sixth overall in the draft, and while it took him a little to get started just 11 starts and 1,552 receiving yards in his first four seasons he eventually became a perennial Pro Bowler and 1,000-yard receiver.
Rom 1993-2002, Brown started 160 of a possible 160 games. He topped 80 receptions every season but one. He averaged nearly 1,200 receiving yards per year, putting up nine 1,000-yard campaigns. Brown finished his career with nine Pro Bowls (eight as a receiver, one as a returner), and while he was never an AP First-Team All-Pro selection, he finished with numbers that hold up pretty well against other wide receivers.
Browns 1,094 receptions are fourth best ever among receivers, hes fifth in receiving yards at 14,934, and hes tied for sixth in touchdown catches at 100. Because he was a dynamic returner early on over 4,500 career return yards and four scores Brown is fifth in total all-purpose yards (19,682), trailing just Jerry Rice, Brian Mitchell, Walter Payton, and Emmitt Smith.
7. Cris Carter (1987-2002)
Buddy Ryan got it right when he said that all Cris Carter does is catch touchdowns. Carter caught 130 of them in his career, more than all but three wide receivers in the history of the league. He led the NFL on three separate occasions and posted a ridiculous 65 over a five-year span in the prime of his career.
Carter had the prototypical size for a wide receiver (63, 208 pounds), and once he moved on from his early-career drug issues, he was a dynamic playmaker for the Minnesota Vikings. What made Carter so special was his ability to score in the red zone. He holds the NFL record with nine touchdown grabs from a yard away, along with records for scores from inside two yards (16), four yards (28), five yards (36), six yards (44), and seven yards (48).
Carter also put up a ton of catches and yards, finishing with 1,101 receptions (the third-most ever for his position), along with 13,899 yards (11 th ). At one point, he even held the single-season record for receptions in a season (122), and he was a deserving Hall of Famer who should have been elected in his first year of eligibility.
6. Steve Largent (1976-1989)
When he retired in 1989, a legitimate case could be made for Steve Largent as the NFLs greatest receiver since the merger. Largent held many major receiving records career receptions (819), yards (13,089), and touchdowns (100), plus a streak of 177 consecutive games with a catch. Not bad for a player who was so ineffective as a rookie that the Houston Oilers traded him to Seattle before he played a down.
Largent made seven Pro Bowls and three First-Team All-Pro squads, and twice he led the league in receiving yards. If you ignore the strike-shortened 1982 campaign, Largent topped 1,000 receiving yards in eight consecutive seasons. And he did that with Dave Krieg and Jim Zorn while Krieg was a solid quarterback who made a few Pro Bowls with Largent, the duo combined wasnt near the caliber of what Jerry Rice got (Joe Montana/Steve Young) or Marvin Harrison (Peyton Manning) or Cris Carter (Randall Cunningham/Warren Moon) or Randy Moss (Daunte Culpepper/Tom Brady).
5. Lance Alworth (1962-1972)
Lance Alworth was maybe the greatest player in American Football League history. The eighth overall pick in 1962, he was a First-Team All-Pro by 1963 and earned that distinction for six consecutive seasons. An AFL First-Team All-Pro doesnt have quite the bearing of one earned in the more modern National Football League, but still, Alworth is one of three receivers with at least six such nominations the others are Jerry Rice and Don Hutson.
Alworth was a track star in college and he parlayed that speed into becoming one of the games most dangerous deep threats. He averaged 1,250 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns over a seven-year span, and dont forget that this was in a 14-game schedule. Alworth completely dominated the league, leading in receptions three times, yards three times, and touchdowns three times.
Once he transitioned to the modern NFL (1970), Alworth wasnt nearly as efficient. He put up just 608 yards for the San Diego Chargers in 70, then 682 in two seasons with the Dallas Cowboys before he was done at age 32. Its awfully young for a player to retire, and a few more good seasons would have moved Alworth up to the third spot on this list.
4. Terrell Owens (1996-2010)
Ignore the fact that the voters didnt put him in the Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility. Terrell Owens is one of the greatest wide receivers to ever play the game, regardless of the controversy he caused on and off the field. Sure, he stood on the star in Dallass stadium, he pulled a Sharpie out of his pocket, and dumped popcorn on his face after a touchdown celebration. Those werent the real problems. The real issues were the controversy he caused with every team he played for , and thats why the voters kept him out of Canton.
On the field though, T.O. was unstoppable. He was a 63, 226-pound force of nature who picked up a ton of yards after the catch, was fearless across the middle, and excelled as a downfield blocker. Six times T.O. made the Pro Bowl, five times he was a First-Team All-Pro selection, and he currently ranks second to just Jerry Rice in receiving yards (15,934) and third to Rice and Randy Moss in receiving touchdowns (153). Owens led the NFL in touchdown catches three times and a ridiculous seven times he posted 13 touchdown grabs in a season.
Remember what Owens did for the 2004 Eagles? This teams steamrolled through the NFC that season, starting with T.O. hauling in three touchdown grabs in his first game with the team. He made Donovan McNabb a better quarterback; in fact, McNabb was the first passer ever to throw for at least 30 touchdowns with fewer than 10 interceptions.
Owens never won a Super Bowl ring, but he was a tremendous playoff performer. He caught nine passes for 122 yards in the Philadelphia Eagles Super Bowl loss, famously playing on a still-injured ankle. He came down with the game-winning Redemption Reception for the San Francisco 49ers back in the day, and put up a ridiculous 9-177-2 statline in the Niners comeback win against the New York Giants in 2002.
3. Randy Moss (1998-2012)
You can take Terrell Owens, but Ill take Randy Moss. Moss was a greater physical specimen, a rare talent that the NFL has only seen a handful of times in its history. Moss was a catalyst for two of the greatest offenses to ever play the 1998 Minnesota Vikings (556 points scored) and then the 2007 New England Patriots (589) although neither then won the Super Bowl.
Moss had similar career numbers to Owens they rank second and third among receivers in both yards and touchdowns; Owens has more yards (15,934 to 15,292) but Moss wins the touchdown edge (156 to 153). Defensive backs had simply no answer for the 64 Moss when he was at his best. Moss caught two touchdowns in his first-ever NFL game and a record 17 as a rookie. He led the league in touchdown catches a ridiculous five times and caught 90 touchdowns in 109 games with the Vikings. He was simply a one-man wrecking crew for opposing cornerbacks and a colossal headache for defensive coordinators.
After two middling seasons in Oakland, Moss revived his career with Tom Brady and the Patriots, hauling in a single-season league record 23 touchdowns in 2007 and 50 in just 52 games with New England (plus what should have been the game-winner in the 07 Super Bowl if the defense could have held on). He retired after an awkward 2010 season in which the Patriots traded him to Minnesota for a third-rounder, then the Vikings waived him a month later, and then the Tennessee Titans got six catches out of him in eight games. (Moss came back in 2012 to play an abbreviated role for the NFC champion San Francisco 49ers, but that was even more awkward than 10).
As it stands, Moss is probably the greatest downfield threat the league has ever seen. He may have played when he wanted to play, but Ill gladly take a guy on my team who averaged a 77/1,205/12 statline in his first 12 seasons. Thats ridiculous production and worthy of the third overall spot on this list.
2. Don Hutson (1935-1945)
For the first 60-plus years of pro football, Don Hutson was the greatest wide receiver this league has ever seen, and a case could be made that hes the best of all-time. http://bleacherreport.com/articles/143974-why-jerry-rice-is-not-the-greatest-wide-receiver-in-nfl-history Before Hutson, passing was an abnormality. Look no further than the fact that the year before Hutson joined the league (1934), the leagues passing champion, Arnie Herber, threw for 799 yards and eight touchdowns all season.
Hutson, a superstar player at Alabama, didnt waste any time in dominating the NFL. He caught an 83-yard touchdown pass from Herber on his first-ever play. As a rookie, Hutson led the league in receiving touchdowns (6) and total touchdowns (6). Over his 11 seasons, there wasnt a defender in the league that could cover Hutson one-on-one.
Hutson led the NFL in receiving touchdowns nine times, receptions eight times, and receiving yards seven times. Starting in 1938, Hutson was a First-Team All-Pro each of his final eight seasons. Hutson was voted league MVP in 1941, but then turned around in 1942 and won the MVP again in what still stands as the greatest season by a wide receiver in history.
Hutson caught 74 passes for 1,211 yards and 17 touchdowns. That year, the next-best receiver finished with 27 receptions. That would be like someone topping Antonio Browns 136 receptions in 2015 by putting up 373. The next-best receiver in yards had 571 yards. For last years yardage leader, Julio Jones, to do that, he would need to have 3,968. Simply put, the NFL wasnt quite ready for what Hutson did in 1942, or his career, for that matter.
Everyone knows the Green Bay Packers were a dynasty in the 1960s, but Hutson was a catalyst for three championship Packers teams between 36 and 44. Hutson also played defensive back (30 career interceptions) and kicked (193 points). He was maybe the greatest non-QB of the first 40-plus years of football, at least until Jim Brown came around, and the only thing stopping him from being the greatest wide receiver of all-time is the fact that, well, hes not Jerry Rice.
1. Jerry Rice (1985-2004)
I wish I was old enough to have had the absolute privilege of watching Jerry Rice.
Theres never been a wide receiver like him and there never will be again. Youll see receivers enter the league and have peaks that may compare to what Rice did Antonio Brown, Calvin Johnson, Randy Moss. But todays era is an era more inflated by high-volume passing and rules that cater to quarterbacks and receivers. And heres the difference between those other guys and Rice they decline when they turn 30 or soon thereafter. Megatron was a once-in-a-generation talent, but you think he can approach what Rice did? Please. Megatron hung up his cleats at age 30. Rice had more yards after the age of 30 (13,823) than Johnson did in his career (11,619). I cannot overstate enough that there will never be another receiver with the production that Rice put up.
Rice didnt blow away scouts with his size/speed combination he was 62, 200, and ran just a 4.6 40-yard dash. But he had game speed. He ran routes as precise as theyve ever been done. He gained a ton of yards after the catch. He was an unbelievable blocker. He caught everything. And he managed to play until he was 42 years old because of an unparalled work ethic.
Lets get into Rices career statistics. He caught 1,549 passes for 22,895 yards and 197 touchdowns. Thats 447 more receptions than the next-highest receiver (Marvin Harrison). Thats 6,961 more yards than the next-highest receiver (Terrell Owens). And thats 41 more touchdowns than Moss brought in. Rice made 13 Pro Bowls, three more than any other wide receiver. He was a First-Team All-Pro in 10 different seasons. Thats as many First-Team All-Pros as Terrell Owens, Randy Moss, Tim Brown, Isaac Bruce, and Michael Irvin made combined.
Rice led the league in receiving yards six times. No other receiver since the 1970 NFL-AFL merger has done it more than twice. Rice set the leagues single-season record for receiving yards (1,848) in 1995. That mark has since been broken by Calvin Johnson, although Johnson did so on a team that threw the ball nearly 100 more times (a single-season record 740). Rice set the record for receiving touchdowns (22) in a strike-shortened season, meaning he did so in just 12 games. It took Randy Moss until the fourth quarter of 2007 to break that mark. Rice even scored touchdowns as a runner he had 87 rushes in his career for 645 yards (a 7.4 yards-per-carry average) and 10 touchdowns.
What sets Rice apart from other all-time greats (Sterling Sharpe and Michael Irvin in particular) is durability. Rice never missed a game due to injury in his first 12 seasons. He tore his ACL and MCL in Week 1 of the 1997 campaign, then actually came back three months later and still played (although he broke his kneecap in the season finale). Rice returned at age 35 in 1998 to put up a 82/1,157/9 statline, and he had another 6,440 yards and 43 touchdowns after those ligament tears. Rice finished his career with 303 games played. No other receiver has come close (the next-best is Tim Brown/Irving Fryar at 255). Rices 303 games played are more than any non-kicker/punter ever, and his 284 starts trail just Brett Favre and Bruce Matthews.
Rice was blessed to play with two of the greatest quarterbacks of all-time in Joe Montana and then Steve Young. But you think those guys werent helped by Rice, who was pretty much always open? Rice helped turn Rich Gannon into a league MVP in 2002.
We still havent even gotten into Rices postseason accolades, and this only enhances his legacy as perhaps the greatest football player of all-time. Rice played in the playoffs in 15 different seasons, reaching four Super Bowls and winning three (all with the Niners). Rice is miles ahead of his next competitor in career postseason stats: 151 receptions, 2,245 yards, and 22 touchdowns. Rice was a two-time Super Bowl MVP and very easily could have won three.
His career performances in the Super Bowl:
11 receptions, 215 yards, 1 TD in 20-16 win over Cincinnati in 1988
7 receptions, 148 yards, 3 TD in 55-10 win over Denver in 1989
10 receptions, 149 yards, 3 TD in 49-26 win over San Diego in 1994
5 receptions, 77 yards, 1 TD in 48-21 loss to Tampa Bay in 2002
His worst Super Bowl outing was a 5-77-1 performance at the age of 40, against a defense that ranked No. 1 in yards allowed, points allowed, and passing touchdowns allowed. In the 1988-89 postseasons, Rice caught 11 touchdowns in six games. Only one other receiver in history has even scored 11 postseason touchdowns in his career .
One final mention on Rices greatness: you could legitimately split his career into two halves and youd have two Hall of Famers. Say he retired after the 1992 season, his eighth in the league.
Heres Part I of his career: 124 games, 610 receptions, 10,273 yards, 103 touchdowns, 7 Pro Bowls, 6 First-Team All-Pros, 2 rings, 1 SB MVP, 11 postseason touchdowns, 3 seasons leading NFL in yards and 5 in touchdowns, single-season record 22 TD catches (Lance Alworth but better)
Heres Part II of his career: 179 games, 939 receptions, 12,622 yards, 94 touchdowns, 6 Pro Bowls, 4 First-Team All-Pros, 1 ring, 11 postseason touchdowns, 3 seasons leading NFL in yards and once in touchdowns (Torry Holt but better)
Theres no other receiver whose career could be split up like that and maybe just a handful of professional athletes to ever play (Babe Ruth, Peyton Manning, Wayne Gretzky). Thats what makes Rice the greatest wide receiver of all-time. Provided by Touchdown Wire
In the 2019 regular and postseason, per Pro Football Focus data, slot receivers regardless of position (receivers, running backs, and tight ends) accounted for 32 of all targets, 31.6 of all receptions, 32.3 of all receiving yardage, and 34.3 of all receiving touchdowns. In a league where the three-receiver set is by far the default formation (it happened on 69 of all snaps last season, per Sports Info Solutions), having a versatile and productive slot receiver is an absolute necessity in the modern passing game.
Moreover, there is no one kind of slot receiver in the modern NFL. It used to be that you wanted the shorter, smaller guy inside, and your bigger, more physical receivers on the outside. Then, offensive coaches started to realize that by putting bigger receivers and tight ends in the slot, you could create mismatches with slower linebackers and smaller slot cornerbacks. Teams countered this by acquiring linebackers built like safeties, eager to do more than just chase after run fits, and also by moving their best cornerbacks into the slot in certain situations.
Now that offensive and defensive coaches have worked hard to create as many schematic and personnel ties in the slot as possible, the best slot receivers are the ones who consistently show the ideal characteristics for the position. These receivers know how to exploit defenders who dont have a boundary to help them theyll create inside and outside position to move the defender where they want him to go. They understand the value and precision of the option route, and how you can hang a defender out to dry with a simple if this/then that equation based on coverage rules. They know how to work in concert with their outside receivers to create route combinations which create impossible math problems for defenses. And they know how to get open in quick spaces.
But dont automatically assume that slot receivers are just taking the dink-and-dunk routes theyre actually tasked to catch everything from quick slants to vertical stuff down the seam and up the numbers. Last season, per PFF data, the NFL average for yards per completion for outside receivers was 11.28. For slot receivers, it was 11.63. So, over time and based on the play design and the makeup of the receivers, teams could find just that many more yards by throwing to their slot targets.
The best slot receivers in the game bring unique and highly valuable traits to the game, and here are the best among them.
More Top 11 lists: Slot defenders Outside cornerbacks Safeties Linebackers Edge defenders Interior defensive linemen Offensive tackles Offensive guards Centers Outside Receivers Honorable Mentions Provided by Touchdown Wire Top Receivers All Time
(Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports)
Had we dropped the qualifying floor to under 50 slot snaps, two guys would have easily made it Tampa Bays Mike Evans, and Baltimores Marquise Goodwin. Evans led all slot receivers with at least 25 targets with a passer rating when targeted of 151.3, and Brown was an absolute force against defenses in the slot especially when he was using his speed in empty formations.
Lamar Jackson led the NFL with six touchdown passes out of empty formations last season. Because when you have to spy the QB, and you're facing one-on-one across, and the QB can drop it in like this, and you're catching up to Marquise Brown... well, yikes. pic.twitter.com/DIaEfbInQo Doug Farrar (@NFL_DougFarrar) July 24, 2020
San Franciscos Deebo Samuel, who was probably the MVP of the first half of Super Bowl LIV before things started to go backward for his team, would have received a mention as well Samuel had just 33 targets, but caught 28 of them and helped his quarterback to a 135.3 rating when he was targeted in the slot. Kansas City speed receiver Mecole Hardman had just 23 a lot targets, but he was also highly efficient with them, helping his quarterbacks to a 133.9 rating. Though Danny Amendola was the only Lions receiver to make the 50 threshold, both Marvin Jones and Kenny Golladay were highly efficient when tasked to move inside. Other former slot stars like Tyreek Hill of the Chiefs and Minnesotas Adam Thielen saw their roles change more to the outside in 2019 from previous seasons.
Of the receivers who actually qualified, Nelson Agholor of the Eagles was quietly efficient and had just two drops in the slot last season which would go against several memes on the subject. Buffalos Cole Beasley just missed the cut, through he was one of several receivers on the Bills roster who didnt always get the accuracy and efficiency they deserved from quarterback Josh Allen. And though Randall Cobb was productive for the Cowboys last season and should be so for the Texans in 2020, his nine drops as a slot man well, we can only have one guy with nine slot drops on this list. More on that in a minute.
Now, on to the top 11.
Willie Snead IV Julian Edelman Tyler Boyd Jared Cook Golden Tate Keenan Allen Larry Fitzgerald Allen Robinson Cooper Kupp Chris Godwin Tyler Lockett 11. Willie Snead IV, Baltimore Ravens Provided by Touchdown Wire
(Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports)
Last October, the Ravens signed Snead to a one-year, $6 million extension that will have him on the roster through the 2020 season. In 2019, he caught just 31 regular-season passes for 339 yards and five touchdowns, but he did have a bit of a bust-out game against the Titans in Baltimores divisional round upset loss. There, he caught six passes on eight targets for 56 yards.
Snead brought in all five of those touchdowns as a slot target, as well as 31 of his receptions for 381 yards. When targeted by Lamar Jackson last season in the slot, Snead allowed his MVP quarterback to put up a rating of 116.3, one of the highest marks in the league.
Snead is a bit of a throwback slot target. The undrafted free agent out of Ball State put himself on the map in 2015 and 2016 as a productive member of the Saints offense. Hes not the biggest guy at 5-foot-11 and 205 pounds, but hes able to win against coverage because he has the skills required at the slot receiver position everything from surprising speed to the ability to sell and break in and out of routes. Snead isnt flashy, but hes productive as an inside target when given the chance.
Marquise Brown was the Ravens' more explosive slot target, and Mark Andrews was big as a slot TE, but Willie Snead showed great command of the subtleties of the slot position in 2019. Using leverage to create space for the quarterback. pic.twitter.com/eWNu8uUU6R Doug Farrar (@NFL_DougFarrar) July 24, 2020 10. Julian Edelman, New England Patriots Provided by Touchdown Wire
(David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports)
Last season, Edelman led all slot receivers in targets (102) and receptions (70), and hes been one of the most productive slot targets of his era. He was also the one receiver on the Patriots roster who could get any level of separation against opposing defenders. So, why does he rank 10th here?
Several reasons. Edelman had the leagues most opportunities to succeed as a slot target, but he ranked fifth in slot yardage with 759, he caught just four touchdown passes, and he tied for the league lead with nine drops from the slot position Dallas Randall Cobb was the other culprit there. Now, there can be several different reasons for dropped passes. Receivers will be dinged at times for their inability to catch helium balls and wormburners from less than accurate quarterbacks. And its not as if Tom Brady was the Tom Brady of old in 2019, but when we say that Brady didnt get any help from his receivers, that includes Edelman.
As NESNs Doug Kyed pointed out in 2018, Edelmans drop issues are nothing new, but in 2019 well, the tape shows some real howlers.
So... I'm Team Edelman and all that, and I know New England's passing game was a hot mess last season, and his drop rate has been an issue for a while... but 2019 was specifically UGLY. pic.twitter.com/pubRviH04l Doug Farrar (@NFL_DougFarrar) July 24, 2020
At age 34, Edelman is a high-volume receiver who shows up well in standard counting stats his 1,117 overall yards in 2019 marked a career high, and his 100 total catches was the second-highest total of his career. But there are base numbers, and there is true efficiency and value, and its no surprise that Edelman ranked 55th among qualifying receivers in Football Outsiders season-cumulative efficiency metrics, and 62nd in per-play efficiency. It could be that time is running out for the veteran unless theres a turnaround in 2020. 9. Tyler Boyd, Cincinnati Bengals Provided by Touchdown Wire
(Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports)
First overall pick Joe Burrow will have to ramp things up quickly without any offseason programs to date in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, but hes got a pretty decent receiver group in Cincinnati, especially if A.J. Green can stay healthy. Perhaps the biggest reason for excitement for Burrow should be Tyler Boyd, the 2016 second-round pick out of Pittsburgh who set career highs with 90 catches and 1,046 yards in 2019. And as a slot target, Boyd proved to be one of the NFLs best for Ryan Finley and Andy Dalton. One wonders what hell be able to do with Burrows refined accuracy and velocity.
Sometimes, you can cover a guy well, and you still have to take the 'L.' Miami's Nik Needham learned that when Bengals slot receiver Tyler Boyd did the damn thing. pic.twitter.com/1ZYbuICGqa Doug Farrar (@NFL_DougFarrar) July 24, 2020 Top Slot Receivers Of All Time Zone
In 2019, Boyd caught 57 passes from the slot on 88 targets for 776 yards, two touchdowns, and a passer rating of 86.0 when targeted by two quartebacks who probably shouldnt have been starters. Now, give him Burrow as a quarterback, and watch Boyd cook at a different level. 8. Jared Cook, New Orleans Saints Provided by Touchdown Wire
(Chuck Cook -USA TODAY Sports)
Gallery: 10 Colts in danger of being cut before training camp (SMG)
Yes, tight ends can be slot receivers, too. And among all the slot targets on our list, nobody afforded his quarterbacks a higher passer rating than Cook did at 133.9. Cook caught 30 passes on 43 targets when detached from the formation for 482 yards and five touchdowns. Cook did drop four passes, but when he did take the ball in, he was a big play waiting to happen at 6-foot-5 and 254 pounds.
Jared Cook Is A Really Big Guy And You Should Wrap-Tackle Him: The first in a series pic.twitter.com/02dAue2r8g Doug Farrar (@NFL_DougFarrar) July 24, 2020
Return of the Son of Jared Cook Is A Really Big Guy And You Should Wrap-Tackle Him pic.twitter.com/TLuqB8ZJiw Doug Farrar (@NFL_DougFarrar) July 24, 2020
Cook isnt the fleetest of foot at age 33, and he missed time with a concussion in 2019, but in New Orleans offense, he gives Drew Brees an imposing target, especially after the catch. Just ask all the poor defensive backs Cook threw aside last season like so many five-pound sacks of potatoes. 7. Golden Tate, New York Giants Provided by Touchdown Wire
(Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports)
Per Sports Info Solutions, Giants quarterback Daniel Jones threw 10 touchdowns to his slot receivers in 2019, and Tate caught five of those, with 41 catches on 67 targets for 552 yards. As has been the case throughout his career, Tate was able to get open on those plays with a nice combination of speed through the route and the strength to separate, but over the last few years, his route awareness a problem during his time in Seattle has really advanced.
Listening to Chris Cornell's version of GNR's 'Patience' when rolling through Golden Tate plays, and was struck by the patience he showed here in getting open.
You'll have to forgive Rasul Douglas for the PI call -- he was just tryin' to get it right. pic.twitter.com/RxAzCnbwz3 Doug Farrar (@NFL_DougFarrar) July 24, 2020
Tates first season with the Giants was marred by a four-game PED suspension and concussion issues, but over a full season, one can imagine that hell be an even more major part of the Giants passing offense, especially in the slot. An important position for a team that led the league with 25 passing touchdowns in three-receiver sets. 6. Keenan Allen, Los Angeles Chargers Provided by Touchdown Wire
(Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports)
Allen has been known as one of the NFLs premiere route-runners almost from the moment he started in the league in 2013 as a third-round pick out of Cal. Allen caught a career-high 104 passes in 2019, and 54 of those, on 71 targets, came in the slot. Allen gained 587 yards and scored three touchdowns from the slot and allowed Philip Rivers to amass a quarterback rating of 92.0 when targeting him inside. Thats pretty efficient when you consider that Rivers threw 11 interceptions to just nine touchdowns overall when throwing to his slot targets.
Everything that makes Allen a great overall receiver comes into play in the slot. He can body defenders out and establish position with his physical nature, he can blow coverage away with quick, refined timing cuts, and few receivers have a better understanding of spacing across the field.
Keenan Allen, Professional Receiver. The cut, the jump, and a toe-tap that would make Cris Carter take notice. pic.twitter.com/SsvBz1mHqU Doug Farrar (@NFL_DougFarrar) July 24, 2020
The Chargers future at quarterback is to be determined with veteran Tyrod Taylor as the starter for now, and first-round pick Justin Herbert very much under construction, but Allen will unquestionably be a stalwart in that passing game. 5. Larry Fitzgerald, Arizona Cardinals Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports His 1,378 receptions place him second all-time behind only Jerry Rice, and he's an 11-time Pro Bowler.
(Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports)
Fitzgerald was obviously one of the NFLs best outside receivers early in his career, and he was also one of the leagues first marquee wideouts to switch to the slot more often as his career evolved under former Arizona head coach Bruce Arians. When Fitzgerald did so, he presented impossible matchups for linebackers (who werent generally quick enough to keep up with him) and defensive backs (who were going to lose physical battles).
They said Larry was washed until Bruce put him in the slot and he dropped 1215 yards and 9 TDs at 32 years old.
Don't be surprised when AJ Green slides inside a bit more. 6'5' Go-Go Gadget Arms too long for slot corners too fast for safeties. pic.twitter.com/wHRjyVYzJF JetPack Galileo (@JetPackGalileo) July 24, 2020
In 2019, Fitzgerald worked in Kliff Kingsburys offense, where there were four receivers on the field on 227 of the Cardinals passing snaps. To put that into perspective, the Jaguars finished second in that category with 82 four-wide passing snaps. So, the slot position was kind of important, and Fitzgerald helped rookie quarterback Kyler Murray in all kinds of ways especially on broken plays where the receivers acumen and persistence is the only difference between success and disaster.
Here's the ageless Larry Fitzgerald giving his annual class in How To Create A Touchdown Out Of Absolutely Nothing. pic.twitter.com/kzsGPVDtrf Doug Farrar (@NFL_DougFarrar) July 23, 2020
Fitzgerald caught 60 slot passes on 86 targets for 668 yards, three touchdowns last season. As long as he wants to do it, you can expect more from the future first-ballot Hall of Famer. 4. Allen Robinson, Chicago Bears Provided by Touchdown Wire Top Slot Receivers Of All Time Players
(Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports)
If theres one current NFL receiver who deserves the Andre Johnson Award for making things happen despite a series of bad quarterbacks (seriously just look at what Johnson had with the Texans from 2003 through 2014), it would be Robinson, whose primary quarterbacks since he came into the league with the Jaguars in 2014 have been Blake Bortles, Chad Henne, Chase Daniel, and Mitchell Trubisky. And now, here comes Nick Foles to the Windy City! Oh, goody. In any event, Robinson proved to be one of the NFLs most productive and efficient slot targets last season, despite some serious QB issues.
Last season, from the slot, Allen Robinson caught 47 passes on 63 targets for 560 yards, four touchdowns, and not a single dropped pass.
SOMEBODY GET THIS MAN A DECENT QUARTERBACK. pic.twitter.com/W42Mr4pJgo Doug Farrar (@NFL_DougFarrar) July 23, 2020
As a slot target in 2019, Robinson allowed his quarterbacks (Trubisky and Daniel) a rating of 105.1, which is the definition of lifting your teammates up beyond their own capabilities Trubisky and Daniel combined for an overall rating of 83.9. Maybe someday, hell enjoy a connection with a quarterback worthy of his talents. 3. Cooper Kupp, Los Angeles Rams File Photo File photo
(Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports)
The Rams formerly vaunted passing offense fell off in 2019, dropping from fifth overall in Football Outsiders opponent-adjusted efficiency metrics in the franchises Super Bowl season of 2018, to 13th in 2019. Some of that had to do with the running game falling apart, some of that had to do with defenses figuring Sean McVays offense out to a point, and a lot of it had to do with quarterback Jared Goff hitting his ceiling with the force of an Aaron Donald sack.
Didnt matter to Kupp, though. The Rams third-round pick in 2017 had his most productive season as a slot target in 2019, with 69 catches on 99 targets for 853 yards, five touchdowns, and a passer rating of 101.1 when targeted inside. That was exactly Goffs overall passer rating in 2018, but it dropped to 86.5 in 2019, while Kupp was the rare part of that passing game that actually presented improvement.
Kupp is especially good at reading and understanding coverage, which allows him to break to defensive openings and take advantage of those openings with his acceleration and downfield speed.
Cooper Kupp is so good at elongating his release and waiting for things to open up underneath. What makes him more than an average slot receiver is his burst after the catch. pic.twitter.com/9G1GQXp0Xb Doug Farrar (@NFL_DougFarrar) July 23, 2020 2. Chris Godwin, Tampa Bay Buccaneers File photo Tom Brady is taking his talents south, joining the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Two players who stand to benefit greatly from this move are tight end O.J. Howard and receiver Chris Godwin. During Brady's time in New England, two positions were heavily targeted by the veteran passer: The tight end and the slot receiver. (Douglas DeFelice-USA TODAY Sports)
(Douglas DeFelice-USA TODAY Sports)
Godwin ranked fifth overall in my colleague Mark Schofields list of the NFLs best outside receivers two spots higher than Bucs teammate Mike Evans, who gets far more national recognition so that gives you an idea how good Godwin is overall. But Godwin creates specific problems as a slot receiver due to his route understanding, impressive strength to break off defenders, and downfield speed to create plays downfield.
Schofield included this play in his analysis of Godwin, and I independently added it here before I read Marks piece. Because its just remarkable.
Chris Godwin: The best receiver we're not talking about enough. I suspect that will change with a different QB. Check, release, downfield, buh-bye. pic.twitter.com/AP4xbDLsxo Doug Farrar (@NFL_DougFarrar) July 23, 2020
In 2019, Godwin brought in 50 slot receptions on 68 targets for 838 yards, five touchdowns, one dropped pass, and a quarterback rating of 100.2 when targeted. Now, add Tom Brady into that equation Brady knows a thing or two about connecting over and over with great slot receivers and it should come as no surprise if Godwin finds his name at the top of this list next year. 1. Tyler Lockett, Seattle Seahawks Provided by Touchdown Wire
(Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports)
Including the postseason, no slot receiver caught more touchdown passes than Lockett did in the 2019 campaign with six. He also allowed Russell Wilson a 122.9 passer rating when targeting him from the slot. Not that creating supernatural efficiency for his quarterback is a new thing for Lockett in 2018, he became the first receiver since at least 2018 to take at least 20 of his snaps and still rack up a perfect passer rating overall when targeted. Top Slot Receivers Of All Time Nba
Lockett has become a top-level receiver no matter where he lines up, but hes a great slot target for the same reasons youll find for every receiver on this list he knows how create separation with spacing and leverage, he has an extra gear when he needs it, and in Locketts case, there are things hes learned about adjusting the speeds of his routes that make things very difficult for opposing defenders.
Outstanding job by that 2 WR of running up on Dean and having the patience to cause traffic while not making contact with his body. Dan Orlovsky (@danorlovsky7) July 23, 2020
In addition to those six slot touchdowns, Lockett caught 64 inside passes on 88 targets for a league-high 901 yards, and he dropped just one pass. As D.K. Metcalf becomes more of a force and a threat as an outside receiver, the Seahawks have one of the more dynamic duos at the position. But as much as Russell Wilson is the epicenter of Seattles passing game, this thing doesnt work without Locketts presence inside and out. Best Slot Receiver MORE:
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Top Slot Receivers Of All Time Zone
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Best Slot Receiver
The prototypical wide receiver is tall enough that a 510 or 511 cornerback cant cover him, hes fast enough to get open, even in double coverage, and he needs sure hands to be able to secure a catch in traffic. The ability to block isnt always a requirement, but its a bonus that can prolong the career of an otherwise mediocre talent.
In the NFL, white players have become less and less common at the wide receiver position, as they now represent only a marginal fraction of the receivers who actually make a difference in the slot. It includes every starting wide receiver from throughout New England Patriots history, including current wide receivers and past ones. Featuring current New England Patriots and some of the greatest NFL wide receivers of all time, the best Patriots WRs include Julian Edelman, Stanley Morgan, Troy Brown, and Wes Welker.
Jerry Rice is the only receiver who's records may not ever be broken. A player would have to have an all NFL pro bowl year every year for 16 years, then break them in his 17th season. The greatest receiver in Packers history, Don Hutson was the first great receiver in NFL history. During his ten year career, Hutson led the NFL in touchdowns receptions nine times, receptions.
What I Looked At to Compile My Rankings :
Wide receivers are primarily judged by the main receiving statistics catches, yards, yards per catch, and touchdowns. What a wide receiver can do when hes not paired up with an elite quarterback is sometimes the ultimate test; nearly any wide receiver can look good with Peyton Manning throwing to him, but what if his quarterback is an average talent? Can that receiver still get open and still make plays?
Individual accolades like Pro Bowl selections and First-Team All-Pro honors go a long way, as do AP Offensive Player of the Year awards (no wide receiver in the modern era has won league MVP). I also focused on what a receiver did in the postseason, when up against the stiffest competition. Did he disappear or did he make the best catches when the stage was the biggest?
Statistics dont tell the whole story; I want to know what receivers would help a new team with a completely random quarterback, in a new offense, and in a new system. Is the receiver physically powerful enough to make plays, or did he succeed largely because of his quarterback/head coach?
I ranked 100 receivers on this list, so I broke the article into three parts for easier reading. This part will focus on the receivers ranked 20 through 1; Part II included wide receivers 50 through 21; and Part I was wide receivers ranked 100 through 51.
Click here to read Part I (100-51) .
Click here to read Part II (50-21) .
20. Pete Pihos (1947-1955)
At a time when passing still reigned secondary to a running game, Pete Pihos was a special player, and he seemed to get better as time went on. Pihos led the NFL in receptions each of his final three seasons, abruptly retiring after he posted a 62/864/7 receiving line and earned an All-Pro selection. Pihos played both ways, serving as a defensive end on the other side of the ball, and finishing with six Pro Bowls and five AP All-Pro selections. He also played a key role for the Philadelphia Eagles teams that repeated as champions from 1948 to 1949
19. Isaac Bruce (1994-2009)
Isaac Bruce put up extraordinary numbers during his playing career, finishing with the fourth-most receiving yards at his position (15,208) in NFL history. Bruce topped 1,000 eight times, putting up a ridiculous 1,781 in his second season, a total that would have set a league record had it not occurred the same season that Jerry Rice totaled 1,848. Bruce was never a First-Team All-Pro and made just four Pro Bowls, which may be why he isnt in the Hall of Fame yet, but he will get in sooner than later. Bruce is one of just three receivers with 1,000 catches and 15,000 receiving yards, and he caught a 73-yard touchdown reception from Kurt Warner in the 1999 Super Bowl (which remarkably, wasnt even his longest touchdown catch that postseason).
18. Tommy McDonald (1957-1968)
Its a wonder that Tommy McDonald was able to have an NFL career at just 59, 178 pounds, let alone be one of the greatest wide receivers the league has ever seen. McDonald who was the last non-special teams player to play without a facemask missed just three games in his first 11 seasons.
He made six Pro Bowls in his career, topping 1,000 yards three times and leading the NFL in touchdown catches twice. McDonald retired sixth all-time in receptions, fourth in receiving yards, and second to just Don Hutson in touchdown catches. McDonald played a big role for the Philadelphia Eagles in their 1960 championship title, securing the games first touchdown on a 35-yard grab from Norm Van Brocklin.
17. Calvin Johnson (2007-2015)
In terms of positional dominance, Calvin Johnson should be ranked higher than 18 th on an all-time greatest wide receivers list. Hes a physical freak like the NFL may never see again; hes 65, 239 pounds, and can run a 4.35 40-yard dash. Its no wonder he can do this to opposing defensive backs . Johnsons career 86.07 receiving yards-per-game average is the highest ever by a retired wide receiver. Johnsons accolades are overwhelming he made six Pro Bowls and three First-Team All-Pro selections in nine seasons. He was the fastest player to top 10,000 receiving yards. He broke Jerry Rices single-season record for receiving yards (1,964) and averaged 1,467 over a five-year span. And in the playoffs, no one could stop Johnson in two postseason contests, hes averaged a 8.5/148/1 statline.
Sure, Johnson benefited from a pass-happy offense in which quarterback Matthew Stafford has been allowed to throw the ball over 40 times per game regularly. But thats not what keeps him from ranking higher. Simply put, what keeps him from ranking in the top 10 or 15 or even five, which may have been the case if he had kept playing is his shortened career. Johnson is 36 th at his position in receptions, 26 th in yards, and 20 th in touchdown catches. If he had kept playing, he would shoot up those all-time lists, but as of now, his career especially in the pass-inflated era doesnt quite hold up to others who were nearly as good and played substantially longer.
16. Sterling Sharpe (1988-1994)
If he hadnt gotten injured and been forced to retire prematurely, Sterling Sharpe would assuredly be in the top 10 at his position. As it stands, he should still be in the Hall of Fame, even though he played just seven seasons.
Sharpe was listed at 511, 207 pounds, but played as if he was the biggest man on the field. In his autobiography ( Reggie White in the Trenches ), Reggie White talked about how Sharpe used to practice with every positional group on the field, and how Sharpe probably could have been a star at all of them.
Its ironic that a neck injury forced Sharpe to retire after just seven seasons because he never missed a game during his playing days. Sharpe soaked up targets as Brett Favres primary receiver in Green Bay, leading the NFL in receptions three times and twice setting the single-season mark for catches (he broke his own record the second year). There are two receivers since the NFL-AFL merger to lead the league in catches at least three times; Sharpe is the only one who wasnt a slot receiver (Wes Welker did it).
Sharpes retirement came after an 18-touchdown season in which he made his fifth Pro Bowl, and right before a string of three consecutive MVP awards by Brett Favre; imagine what Sharpe would have done in that offense. Sharpe caught 13 touchdowns in his final six NFL games. His career postseason numbers are insane two games, 11 catches, 229 yards, and a ridiculous four touchdown grabs. Sharpe should be an easy Hall of Famer, even in his abbreviated career.
15. Marvin Harrison (1996-2008)
Its amazing that Marvin Harrison was able to carve out a career as one of the most productive statistical wide receivers in NFL history, considering he was barely six feet tall and just 175 pounds. Harrison had the benefit of playing with Peyton Manning, but he was also a highly-talented wideout who excelled as a route runner.
Harrisons pure receiving numbers hold their own against almost everyone who ever played. Over an eight-year span (1999-2006), Harrison averaged 103 catches, 1,402 yards, and 13 receiving touchdowns per season. Twice he led the league in receiving yards. He set the single-season record in receptions (143), absolutely shattering the previous mark held by Herman Moore (123 in 1995). Harrison made the Pro Bowl every year, earned three First-Team All-Pro selections, and missed just two total games due to injury.
Heres what keeps Harrison from moving higher on this list. He was clearly helped from playing with Manning. In the two seasons prior to Manning joining the Indianapolis Colts, Harrison averaged just a 68/851/7 statline. Harrison was completely underwhelming in the postseason, finishing with just two touchdowns in 16 games and both occurred in the same contest. Take away the 2003 postseason, and Harrison never topped five catches or 63 yards in 13 career playoff games.
14. Torry Holt (1999-2009)
Torry Holt had a pretty similar career to Marvin Harrison. They were of similar build, played in the same era, and both did almost all their work in an eight-year stretch. Each also played with a borderline Hall of Fame receiver across him (Isaac Bruce with Holt and Reggie Wayne with Harrison). Holt averaged a 94/1,384/8 line from 2000-07, earning seven Pro Bowl selections, and leading the NFL in receptions twice.
Holt ranks one spot higher because he played with quarterbacks that werent quite as good as Harrisons Kurt Warner was league MVP in 2001, but he faded and Marc Bulger was just average. Holt had better postseason numbers, catching touchdowns in four of his 10 career playoff games, including one in the 1999 Super Bowl win over Tennessee (when Holt was just a rookie). Holt was ridiculously durable for an undersized receiver, missing just three total games in 11 seasons.
13. James Lofton (1978-1993)
James Lofton isnt always remembered among the finest wide receivers to ever play, but hes been a legitimate downfield threat for two decades. Lofton was the first player ever to top 14,000 receiving yards, and his 18.3 yards-per-reception average is by far the highest of the nine receivers with as many yards.
Lofton topped 1,000 yards six times, including 1,072 yards at age 35 for the AFC champion Buffalo Bills. He twice topped the league in yards per catch, and he was durable enough to play every regular-season game for the first nine seasons of his career. Lofton finished with eight Pro Bowls and eight postseason touchdowns in just 13 games.
12. Larry Fitzgerald (2004-Active)
Larry Fitzgerald is a special player. Hes been the face of the Arizona Cardinals franchise since he was drafted, and hes coming off a 109/1,215/9 season at the age of 32. Fitzgeralds best attribute is his ability to make contested catches and score in the red zone; hes led the league in touchdowns twice and next season, hell become the seventh receiver ever with 100 career TD catches. Fitzgerald has an outside chance to eventually move past Cris Carter, Marvin Harrison, and Tim Brown into third place all-time.
Fitzgerald is one of the best postseason performers in history. Hes scored 10 touchdowns in nine playoff games. In 2008, he went over 100 yards with a touchdown in all four games. There was the should-be game-winner against the Pittsburgh Steelers in the Super Bowl. There was the three-touchdown performance in the first half of the NFC Championship Game against the Eagles. Remember the famous Aaron Rodgers Hail Mary game against Arizona this past year? All Fitzgerald did was catch eight passes for 176 yards and a touchdown. Hell one day be a first-ballot Hall of Famer, and hopefully hell have a Super Bowl ring to go with it.
11. Andre Johnson (2003-Active)
Theres probably a consensus that Larry Fitzgerald has had a better career than Andre Johnson, but thats doing an injustice to Johnson. Look at the list of quarterbacks Johnson has played with: aside from Matt Schaub, its a whos-who of mediocre quarterbacks: David Carr, Sage Rosenfels, Case Keenum, Tony Banks, Ryan Fitzpatrick, Matt Hasselbeck, and Ryan Lindley. None of those quarterbacks has sniffed the Pro Bowl.
That makes Johnsons career numbers even more astounding. Johnson has had injury issues throughout his career, but hes still compiled Hall of Fame numbers. Hes one of seven receivers in history with at least 1,000 receptions and 14,000 yards, and hes done it in fewer games (185) than any of the others. Johnson hauls in targets, having caught 100 passes five times, twice leading the league. There are just three receivers since the merger to have led the league in receptions and yards multiple times Johnson, Marvin Harrison, and Jerry Rice. Thats elite company.
Even in the postseason a place where Johnson hasnt been too often hes been a strong performer. Hes averaged six catches and 89 yards in his four playoff contests.
10. Michael Irvin (1988-1999)
There are few wide receivers who could compete with Michael Irvin on a pound-for-pound basis; The Playmaker was the heart and soul of a Dallas Cowboys dynasty that won three Super Bowls in the 90s. As Irvin went, the Cowboys went. Theres no denying Irvin had a boatload of off-the-field issues that would get him in serious hot water with Roger Goodell in todays era, but Irvin also had a work ethic that was difficult to top.
Irvin was a first-round draft pick in 1988, but he struggled his first three seasons, and the Cowboys won a total of just 11 games. Once Irvin became a Pro Bowler in 1991, Dallas won its first playoff game under Jimmy Johnson, and the next year began a string of three championships in four years. Then in early 96, Irvin was infamously arrested for cocaine possession, and the Cowboys won just one playoff game for the rest of his career.
When he was on top of his game, Irvin was nearly unstoppable. He averaged 83 receptions and 1,286 yards over an eight-year period from 1991 to 1998, and the only time he missed was due to a five-game suspension. Irvin earned just one First-Team All-Pro selection during that span due to an influx of wide receiver talent around the league in Jerry Rice, Cris Carter, Sterling Sharpe, and Herman Moore.
But Irvin was at his best in big games. His 1,315 postseason receiving yards are more than any other player in history but Rice. Irvin hauled in eight touchdowns, including two in a span of 18 seconds in the Super Bowl. His career abruptly ended with his infamous spinal injury, but he was an easy Hall of Famer come election time.
9. Raymond Berry (1955-1967)
Raymond Berry was a one-year starter in high school and just a 20 th round draft pick by the Baltimore Colts in 1954, so he was pretty fortunate that the Colts grabbed a quarterback in Johnny Unitas who would turn into one of the greatest to every play.
Berry caught just two total touchdowns in his first two seasons, then became a legitimate star. He made seven Pro Bowls and three First-Team All-Pro teams in an eight-year span. He led the league in receptions three consecutive years and yards three times in four seasons. In fact, heres a complete list of all the receivers to lead the NFL in receptions, yards, and touchdowns at least twice each: Jerry Rice, Don Hutson, Lance Alworth, and Berry.
Berry was a big-time playoff performer. In the Colts overtime win over the New York Giants in the 1958 NFL championship (The Greatest Game Ever Played), Berry set a championship game record with 12 catches (for 178 yards and a touchdown!). In the final drive of regulation and the overtime session, he came up with five big catches.
8. Tim Brown (1988-2004)
All Tim Brown did for his entire NFL career was just produce, year after year, despite rarely having great quarterback play. He caught passes from Rich Gannon, who had a great late-career run and won an MVP award, but aside from that, it was mediocre passers like Jay Schroeder, Jeff Hostetler, Billy Joe Hobert, Jeff George, Wade Wilson, Todd Marinovich, and Steve Beuerlein.
Brown was a Heisman Trophy winner in college and went sixth overall in the draft, and while it took him a little to get started just 11 starts and 1,552 receiving yards in his first four seasons he eventually became a perennial Pro Bowler and 1,000-yard receiver.
Rom 1993-2002, Brown started 160 of a possible 160 games. He topped 80 receptions every season but one. He averaged nearly 1,200 receiving yards per year, putting up nine 1,000-yard campaigns. Brown finished his career with nine Pro Bowls (eight as a receiver, one as a returner), and while he was never an AP First-Team All-Pro selection, he finished with numbers that hold up pretty well against other wide receivers.
Browns 1,094 receptions are fourth best ever among receivers, hes fifth in receiving yards at 14,934, and hes tied for sixth in touchdown catches at 100. Because he was a dynamic returner early on over 4,500 career return yards and four scores Brown is fifth in total all-purpose yards (19,682), trailing just Jerry Rice, Brian Mitchell, Walter Payton, and Emmitt Smith.
7. Cris Carter (1987-2002)
Buddy Ryan got it right when he said that all Cris Carter does is catch touchdowns. Carter caught 130 of them in his career, more than all but three wide receivers in the history of the league. He led the NFL on three separate occasions and posted a ridiculous 65 over a five-year span in the prime of his career.
Carter had the prototypical size for a wide receiver (63, 208 pounds), and once he moved on from his early-career drug issues, he was a dynamic playmaker for the Minnesota Vikings. What made Carter so special was his ability to score in the red zone. He holds the NFL record with nine touchdown grabs from a yard away, along with records for scores from inside two yards (16), four yards (28), five yards (36), six yards (44), and seven yards (48).
Carter also put up a ton of catches and yards, finishing with 1,101 receptions (the third-most ever for his position), along with 13,899 yards (11 th ). At one point, he even held the single-season record for receptions in a season (122), and he was a deserving Hall of Famer who should have been elected in his first year of eligibility.
6. Steve Largent (1976-1989)
When he retired in 1989, a legitimate case could be made for Steve Largent as the NFLs greatest receiver since the merger. Largent held many major receiving records career receptions (819), yards (13,089), and touchdowns (100), plus a streak of 177 consecutive games with a catch. Not bad for a player who was so ineffective as a rookie that the Houston Oilers traded him to Seattle before he played a down.
Largent made seven Pro Bowls and three First-Team All-Pro squads, and twice he led the league in receiving yards. If you ignore the strike-shortened 1982 campaign, Largent topped 1,000 receiving yards in eight consecutive seasons. And he did that with Dave Krieg and Jim Zorn while Krieg was a solid quarterback who made a few Pro Bowls with Largent, the duo combined wasnt near the caliber of what Jerry Rice got (Joe Montana/Steve Young) or Marvin Harrison (Peyton Manning) or Cris Carter (Randall Cunningham/Warren Moon) or Randy Moss (Daunte Culpepper/Tom Brady).
5. Lance Alworth (1962-1972)
Lance Alworth was maybe the greatest player in American Football League history. The eighth overall pick in 1962, he was a First-Team All-Pro by 1963 and earned that distinction for six consecutive seasons. An AFL First-Team All-Pro doesnt have quite the bearing of one earned in the more modern National Football League, but still, Alworth is one of three receivers with at least six such nominations the others are Jerry Rice and Don Hutson.
Alworth was a track star in college and he parlayed that speed into becoming one of the games most dangerous deep threats. He averaged 1,250 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns over a seven-year span, and dont forget that this was in a 14-game schedule. Alworth completely dominated the league, leading in receptions three times, yards three times, and touchdowns three times.
Once he transitioned to the modern NFL (1970), Alworth wasnt nearly as efficient. He put up just 608 yards for the San Diego Chargers in 70, then 682 in two seasons with the Dallas Cowboys before he was done at age 32. Its awfully young for a player to retire, and a few more good seasons would have moved Alworth up to the third spot on this list.
4. Terrell Owens (1996-2010)
Ignore the fact that the voters didnt put him in the Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility. Terrell Owens is one of the greatest wide receivers to ever play the game, regardless of the controversy he caused on and off the field. Sure, he stood on the star in Dallass stadium, he pulled a Sharpie out of his pocket, and dumped popcorn on his face after a touchdown celebration. Those werent the real problems. The real issues were the controversy he caused with every team he played for , and thats why the voters kept him out of Canton.
On the field though, T.O. was unstoppable. He was a 63, 226-pound force of nature who picked up a ton of yards after the catch, was fearless across the middle, and excelled as a downfield blocker. Six times T.O. made the Pro Bowl, five times he was a First-Team All-Pro selection, and he currently ranks second to just Jerry Rice in receiving yards (15,934) and third to Rice and Randy Moss in receiving touchdowns (153). Owens led the NFL in touchdown catches three times and a ridiculous seven times he posted 13 touchdown grabs in a season.
Remember what Owens did for the 2004 Eagles? This teams steamrolled through the NFC that season, starting with T.O. hauling in three touchdown grabs in his first game with the team. He made Donovan McNabb a better quarterback; in fact, McNabb was the first passer ever to throw for at least 30 touchdowns with fewer than 10 interceptions.
Owens never won a Super Bowl ring, but he was a tremendous playoff performer. He caught nine passes for 122 yards in the Philadelphia Eagles Super Bowl loss, famously playing on a still-injured ankle. He came down with the game-winning Redemption Reception for the San Francisco 49ers back in the day, and put up a ridiculous 9-177-2 statline in the Niners comeback win against the New York Giants in 2002.
3. Randy Moss (1998-2012)
You can take Terrell Owens, but Ill take Randy Moss. Moss was a greater physical specimen, a rare talent that the NFL has only seen a handful of times in its history. Moss was a catalyst for two of the greatest offenses to ever play the 1998 Minnesota Vikings (556 points scored) and then the 2007 New England Patriots (589) although neither then won the Super Bowl.
Moss had similar career numbers to Owens they rank second and third among receivers in both yards and touchdowns; Owens has more yards (15,934 to 15,292) but Moss wins the touchdown edge (156 to 153). Defensive backs had simply no answer for the 64 Moss when he was at his best. Moss caught two touchdowns in his first-ever NFL game and a record 17 as a rookie. He led the league in touchdown catches a ridiculous five times and caught 90 touchdowns in 109 games with the Vikings. He was simply a one-man wrecking crew for opposing cornerbacks and a colossal headache for defensive coordinators.
After two middling seasons in Oakland, Moss revived his career with Tom Brady and the Patriots, hauling in a single-season league record 23 touchdowns in 2007 and 50 in just 52 games with New England (plus what should have been the game-winner in the 07 Super Bowl if the defense could have held on). He retired after an awkward 2010 season in which the Patriots traded him to Minnesota for a third-rounder, then the Vikings waived him a month later, and then the Tennessee Titans got six catches out of him in eight games. (Moss came back in 2012 to play an abbreviated role for the NFC champion San Francisco 49ers, but that was even more awkward than 10).
As it stands, Moss is probably the greatest downfield threat the league has ever seen. He may have played when he wanted to play, but Ill gladly take a guy on my team who averaged a 77/1,205/12 statline in his first 12 seasons. Thats ridiculous production and worthy of the third overall spot on this list.
2. Don Hutson (1935-1945)
For the first 60-plus years of pro football, Don Hutson was the greatest wide receiver this league has ever seen, and a case could be made that hes the best of all-time. http://bleacherreport.com/articles/143974-why-jerry-rice-is-not-the-greatest-wide-receiver-in-nfl-history Before Hutson, passing was an abnormality. Look no further than the fact that the year before Hutson joined the league (1934), the leagues passing champion, Arnie Herber, threw for 799 yards and eight touchdowns all season.
Hutson, a superstar player at Alabama, didnt waste any time in dominating the NFL. He caught an 83-yard touchdown pass from Herber on his first-ever play. As a rookie, Hutson led the league in receiving touchdowns (6) and total touchdowns (6). Over his 11 seasons, there wasnt a defender in the league that could cover Hutson one-on-one.
Hutson led the NFL in receiving touchdowns nine times, receptions eight times, and receiving yards seven times. Starting in 1938, Hutson was a First-Team All-Pro each of his final eight seasons. Hutson was voted league MVP in 1941, but then turned around in 1942 and won the MVP again in what still stands as the greatest season by a wide receiver in history.
Hutson caught 74 passes for 1,211 yards and 17 touchdowns. That year, the next-best receiver finished with 27 receptions. That would be like someone topping Antonio Browns 136 receptions in 2015 by putting up 373. The next-best receiver in yards had 571 yards. For last years yardage leader, Julio Jones, to do that, he would need to have 3,968. Simply put, the NFL wasnt quite ready for what Hutson did in 1942, or his career, for that matter.
Everyone knows the Green Bay Packers were a dynasty in the 1960s, but Hutson was a catalyst for three championship Packers teams between 36 and 44. Hutson also played defensive back (30 career interceptions) and kicked (193 points). He was maybe the greatest non-QB of the first 40-plus years of football, at least until Jim Brown came around, and the only thing stopping him from being the greatest wide receiver of all-time is the fact that, well, hes not Jerry Rice.
1. Jerry Rice (1985-2004)
I wish I was old enough to have had the absolute privilege of watching Jerry Rice.
Theres never been a wide receiver like him and there never will be again. Youll see receivers enter the league and have peaks that may compare to what Rice did Antonio Brown, Calvin Johnson, Randy Moss. But todays era is an era more inflated by high-volume passing and rules that cater to quarterbacks and receivers. And heres the difference between those other guys and Rice they decline when they turn 30 or soon thereafter. Megatron was a once-in-a-generation talent, but you think he can approach what Rice did? Please. Megatron hung up his cleats at age 30. Rice had more yards after the age of 30 (13,823) than Johnson did in his career (11,619). I cannot overstate enough that there will never be another receiver with the production that Rice put up.
Rice didnt blow away scouts with his size/speed combination he was 62, 200, and ran just a 4.6 40-yard dash. But he had game speed. He ran routes as precise as theyve ever been done. He gained a ton of yards after the catch. He was an unbelievable blocker. He caught everything. And he managed to play until he was 42 years old because of an unparalled work ethic.
Lets get into Rices career statistics. He caught 1,549 passes for 22,895 yards and 197 touchdowns. Thats 447 more receptions than the next-highest receiver (Marvin Harrison). Thats 6,961 more yards than the next-highest receiver (Terrell Owens). And thats 41 more touchdowns than Moss brought in. Rice made 13 Pro Bowls, three more than any other wide receiver. He was a First-Team All-Pro in 10 different seasons. Thats as many First-Team All-Pros as Terrell Owens, Randy Moss, Tim Brown, Isaac Bruce, and Michael Irvin made combined.
Rice led the league in receiving yards six times. No other receiver since the 1970 NFL-AFL merger has done it more than twice. Rice set the leagues single-season record for receiving yards (1,848) in 1995. That mark has since been broken by Calvin Johnson, although Johnson did so on a team that threw the ball nearly 100 more times (a single-season record 740). Rice set the record for receiving touchdowns (22) in a strike-shortened season, meaning he did so in just 12 games. It took Randy Moss until the fourth quarter of 2007 to break that mark. Rice even scored touchdowns as a runner he had 87 rushes in his career for 645 yards (a 7.4 yards-per-carry average) and 10 touchdowns.
What sets Rice apart from other all-time greats (Sterling Sharpe and Michael Irvin in particular) is durability. Rice never missed a game due to injury in his first 12 seasons. He tore his ACL and MCL in Week 1 of the 1997 campaign, then actually came back three months later and still played (although he broke his kneecap in the season finale). Rice returned at age 35 in 1998 to put up a 82/1,157/9 statline, and he had another 6,440 yards and 43 touchdowns after those ligament tears. Rice finished his career with 303 games played. No other receiver has come close (the next-best is Tim Brown/Irving Fryar at 255). Rices 303 games played are more than any non-kicker/punter ever, and his 284 starts trail just Brett Favre and Bruce Matthews.
Rice was blessed to play with two of the greatest quarterbacks of all-time in Joe Montana and then Steve Young. But you think those guys werent helped by Rice, who was pretty much always open? Rice helped turn Rich Gannon into a league MVP in 2002.
We still havent even gotten into Rices postseason accolades, and this only enhances his legacy as perhaps the greatest football player of all-time. Rice played in the playoffs in 15 different seasons, reaching four Super Bowls and winning three (all with the Niners). Rice is miles ahead of his next competitor in career postseason stats: 151 receptions, 2,245 yards, and 22 touchdowns. Rice was a two-time Super Bowl MVP and very easily could have won three.
His career performances in the Super Bowl:
11 receptions, 215 yards, 1 TD in 20-16 win over Cincinnati in 1988
7 receptions, 148 yards, 3 TD in 55-10 win over Denver in 1989
10 receptions, 149 yards, 3 TD in 49-26 win over San Diego in 1994
5 receptions, 77 yards, 1 TD in 48-21 loss to Tampa Bay in 2002
His worst Super Bowl outing was a 5-77-1 performance at the age of 40, against a defense that ranked No. 1 in yards allowed, points allowed, and passing touchdowns allowed. In the 1988-89 postseasons, Rice caught 11 touchdowns in six games. Only one other receiver in history has even scored 11 postseason touchdowns in his career .
One final mention on Rices greatness: you could legitimately split his career into two halves and youd have two Hall of Famers. Say he retired after the 1992 season, his eighth in the league.
Heres Part I of his career: 124 games, 610 receptions, 10,273 yards, 103 touchdowns, 7 Pro Bowls, 6 First-Team All-Pros, 2 rings, 1 SB MVP, 11 postseason touchdowns, 3 seasons leading NFL in yards and 5 in touchdowns, single-season record 22 TD catches (Lance Alworth but better)
Heres Part II of his career: 179 games, 939 receptions, 12,622 yards, 94 touchdowns, 6 Pro Bowls, 4 First-Team All-Pros, 1 ring, 11 postseason touchdowns, 3 seasons leading NFL in yards and once in touchdowns (Torry Holt but better)
Theres no other receiver whose career could be split up like that and maybe just a handful of professional athletes to ever play (Babe Ruth, Peyton Manning, Wayne Gretzky). Thats what makes Rice the greatest wide receiver of all-time. Provided by Touchdown Wire
In the 2019 regular and postseason, per Pro Football Focus data, slot receivers regardless of position (receivers, running backs, and tight ends) accounted for 32 of all targets, 31.6 of all receptions, 32.3 of all receiving yardage, and 34.3 of all receiving touchdowns. In a league where the three-receiver set is by far the default formation (it happened on 69 of all snaps last season, per Sports Info Solutions), having a versatile and productive slot receiver is an absolute necessity in the modern passing game.
Moreover, there is no one kind of slot receiver in the modern NFL. It used to be that you wanted the shorter, smaller guy inside, and your bigger, more physical receivers on the outside. Then, offensive coaches started to realize that by putting bigger receivers and tight ends in the slot, you could create mismatches with slower linebackers and smaller slot cornerbacks. Teams countered this by acquiring linebackers built like safeties, eager to do more than just chase after run fits, and also by moving their best cornerbacks into the slot in certain situations.
Now that offensive and defensive coaches have worked hard to create as many schematic and personnel ties in the slot as possible, the best slot receivers are the ones who consistently show the ideal characteristics for the position. These receivers know how to exploit defenders who dont have a boundary to help them theyll create inside and outside position to move the defender where they want him to go. They understand the value and precision of the option route, and how you can hang a defender out to dry with a simple if this/then that equation based on coverage rules. They know how to work in concert with their outside receivers to create route combinations which create impossible math problems for defenses. And they know how to get open in quick spaces.
But dont automatically assume that slot receivers are just taking the dink-and-dunk routes theyre actually tasked to catch everything from quick slants to vertical stuff down the seam and up the numbers. Last season, per PFF data, the NFL average for yards per completion for outside receivers was 11.28. For slot receivers, it was 11.63. So, over time and based on the play design and the makeup of the receivers, teams could find just that many more yards by throwing to their slot targets.
The best slot receivers in the game bring unique and highly valuable traits to the game, and here are the best among them.
More Top 11 lists: Slot defenders Outside cornerbacks Safeties Linebackers Edge defenders Interior defensive linemen Offensive tackles Offensive guards Centers Outside Receivers Honorable Mentions Provided by Touchdown Wire Top Receivers All Time
(Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports)
Had we dropped the qualifying floor to under 50 slot snaps, two guys would have easily made it Tampa Bays Mike Evans, and Baltimores Marquise Goodwin. Evans led all slot receivers with at least 25 targets with a passer rating when targeted of 151.3, and Brown was an absolute force against defenses in the slot especially when he was using his speed in empty formations.
Lamar Jackson led the NFL with six touchdown passes out of empty formations last season. Because when you have to spy the QB, and you're facing one-on-one across, and the QB can drop it in like this, and you're catching up to Marquise Brown... well, yikes. pic.twitter.com/DIaEfbInQo Doug Farrar (@NFL_DougFarrar) July 24, 2020
San Franciscos Deebo Samuel, who was probably the MVP of the first half of Super Bowl LIV before things started to go backward for his team, would have received a mention as well Samuel had just 33 targets, but caught 28 of them and helped his quarterback to a 135.3 rating when he was targeted in the slot. Kansas City speed receiver Mecole Hardman had just 23 a lot targets, but he was also highly efficient with them, helping his quarterbacks to a 133.9 rating. Though Danny Amendola was the only Lions receiver to make the 50 threshold, both Marvin Jones and Kenny Golladay were highly efficient when tasked to move inside. Other former slot stars like Tyreek Hill of the Chiefs and Minnesotas Adam Thielen saw their roles change more to the outside in 2019 from previous seasons.
Of the receivers who actually qualified, Nelson Agholor of the Eagles was quietly efficient and had just two drops in the slot last season which would go against several memes on the subject. Buffalos Cole Beasley just missed the cut, through he was one of several receivers on the Bills roster who didnt always get the accuracy and efficiency they deserved from quarterback Josh Allen. And though Randall Cobb was productive for the Cowboys last season and should be so for the Texans in 2020, his nine drops as a slot man well, we can only have one guy with nine slot drops on this list. More on that in a minute.
Now, on to the top 11.
Willie Snead IV Julian Edelman Tyler Boyd Jared Cook Golden Tate Keenan Allen Larry Fitzgerald Allen Robinson Cooper Kupp Chris Godwin Tyler Lockett 11. Willie Snead IV, Baltimore Ravens Provided by Touchdown Wire
(Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports)
Last October, the Ravens signed Snead to a one-year, $6 million extension that will have him on the roster through the 2020 season. In 2019, he caught just 31 regular-season passes for 339 yards and five touchdowns, but he did have a bit of a bust-out game against the Titans in Baltimores divisional round upset loss. There, he caught six passes on eight targets for 56 yards.
Snead brought in all five of those touchdowns as a slot target, as well as 31 of his receptions for 381 yards. When targeted by Lamar Jackson last season in the slot, Snead allowed his MVP quarterback to put up a rating of 116.3, one of the highest marks in the league.
Snead is a bit of a throwback slot target. The undrafted free agent out of Ball State put himself on the map in 2015 and 2016 as a productive member of the Saints offense. Hes not the biggest guy at 5-foot-11 and 205 pounds, but hes able to win against coverage because he has the skills required at the slot receiver position everything from surprising speed to the ability to sell and break in and out of routes. Snead isnt flashy, but hes productive as an inside target when given the chance.
Marquise Brown was the Ravens' more explosive slot target, and Mark Andrews was big as a slot TE, but Willie Snead showed great command of the subtleties of the slot position in 2019. Using leverage to create space for the quarterback. pic.twitter.com/eWNu8uUU6R Doug Farrar (@NFL_DougFarrar) July 24, 2020 10. Julian Edelman, New England Patriots Provided by Touchdown Wire
(David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports)
Last season, Edelman led all slot receivers in targets (102) and receptions (70), and hes been one of the most productive slot targets of his era. He was also the one receiver on the Patriots roster who could get any level of separation against opposing defenders. So, why does he rank 10th here?
Several reasons. Edelman had the leagues most opportunities to succeed as a slot target, but he ranked fifth in slot yardage with 759, he caught just four touchdown passes, and he tied for the league lead with nine drops from the slot position Dallas Randall Cobb was the other culprit there. Now, there can be several different reasons for dropped passes. Receivers will be dinged at times for their inability to catch helium balls and wormburners from less than accurate quarterbacks. And its not as if Tom Brady was the Tom Brady of old in 2019, but when we say that Brady didnt get any help from his receivers, that includes Edelman.
As NESNs Doug Kyed pointed out in 2018, Edelmans drop issues are nothing new, but in 2019 well, the tape shows some real howlers.
So... I'm Team Edelman and all that, and I know New England's passing game was a hot mess last season, and his drop rate has been an issue for a while... but 2019 was specifically UGLY. pic.twitter.com/pubRviH04l Doug Farrar (@NFL_DougFarrar) July 24, 2020
At age 34, Edelman is a high-volume receiver who shows up well in standard counting stats his 1,117 overall yards in 2019 marked a career high, and his 100 total catches was the second-highest total of his career. But there are base numbers, and there is true efficiency and value, and its no surprise that Edelman ranked 55th among qualifying receivers in Football Outsiders season-cumulative efficiency metrics, and 62nd in per-play efficiency. It could be that time is running out for the veteran unless theres a turnaround in 2020. 9. Tyler Boyd, Cincinnati Bengals Provided by Touchdown Wire
(Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports)
First overall pick Joe Burrow will have to ramp things up quickly without any offseason programs to date in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, but hes got a pretty decent receiver group in Cincinnati, especially if A.J. Green can stay healthy. Perhaps the biggest reason for excitement for Burrow should be Tyler Boyd, the 2016 second-round pick out of Pittsburgh who set career highs with 90 catches and 1,046 yards in 2019. And as a slot target, Boyd proved to be one of the NFLs best for Ryan Finley and Andy Dalton. One wonders what hell be able to do with Burrows refined accuracy and velocity.
Sometimes, you can cover a guy well, and you still have to take the 'L.' Miami's Nik Needham learned that when Bengals slot receiver Tyler Boyd did the damn thing. pic.twitter.com/1ZYbuICGqa Doug Farrar (@NFL_DougFarrar) July 24, 2020 Top Slot Receivers Of All Time Zone
In 2019, Boyd caught 57 passes from the slot on 88 targets for 776 yards, two touchdowns, and a passer rating of 86.0 when targeted by two quartebacks who probably shouldnt have been starters. Now, give him Burrow as a quarterback, and watch Boyd cook at a different level. 8. Jared Cook, New Orleans Saints Provided by Touchdown Wire
(Chuck Cook -USA TODAY Sports)
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Yes, tight ends can be slot receivers, too. And among all the slot targets on our list, nobody afforded his quarterbacks a higher passer rating than Cook did at 133.9. Cook caught 30 passes on 43 targets when detached from the formation for 482 yards and five touchdowns. Cook did drop four passes, but when he did take the ball in, he was a big play waiting to happen at 6-foot-5 and 254 pounds.
Jared Cook Is A Really Big Guy And You Should Wrap-Tackle Him: The first in a series pic.twitter.com/02dAue2r8g Doug Farrar (@NFL_DougFarrar) July 24, 2020
Return of the Son of Jared Cook Is A Really Big Guy And You Should Wrap-Tackle Him pic.twitter.com/TLuqB8ZJiw Doug Farrar (@NFL_DougFarrar) July 24, 2020
Cook isnt the fleetest of foot at age 33, and he missed time with a concussion in 2019, but in New Orleans offense, he gives Drew Brees an imposing target, especially after the catch. Just ask all the poor defensive backs Cook threw aside last season like so many five-pound sacks of potatoes. 7. Golden Tate, New York Giants Provided by Touchdown Wire
(Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports)
Per Sports Info Solutions, Giants quarterback Daniel Jones threw 10 touchdowns to his slot receivers in 2019, and Tate caught five of those, with 41 catches on 67 targets for 552 yards. As has been the case throughout his career, Tate was able to get open on those plays with a nice combination of speed through the route and the strength to separate, but over the last few years, his route awareness a problem during his time in Seattle has really advanced.
Listening to Chris Cornell's version of GNR's 'Patience' when rolling through Golden Tate plays, and was struck by the patience he showed here in getting open.
You'll have to forgive Rasul Douglas for the PI call -- he was just tryin' to get it right. pic.twitter.com/RxAzCnbwz3 Doug Farrar (@NFL_DougFarrar) July 24, 2020
Tates first season with the Giants was marred by a four-game PED suspension and concussion issues, but over a full season, one can imagine that hell be an even more major part of the Giants passing offense, especially in the slot. An important position for a team that led the league with 25 passing touchdowns in three-receiver sets. 6. Keenan Allen, Los Angeles Chargers Provided by Touchdown Wire
(Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports)
Allen has been known as one of the NFLs premiere route-runners almost from the moment he started in the league in 2013 as a third-round pick out of Cal. Allen caught a career-high 104 passes in 2019, and 54 of those, on 71 targets, came in the slot. Allen gained 587 yards and scored three touchdowns from the slot and allowed Philip Rivers to amass a quarterback rating of 92.0 when targeting him inside. Thats pretty efficient when you consider that Rivers threw 11 interceptions to just nine touchdowns overall when throwing to his slot targets.
Everything that makes Allen a great overall receiver comes into play in the slot. He can body defenders out and establish position with his physical nature, he can blow coverage away with quick, refined timing cuts, and few receivers have a better understanding of spacing across the field.
Keenan Allen, Professional Receiver. The cut, the jump, and a toe-tap that would make Cris Carter take notice. pic.twitter.com/SsvBz1mHqU Doug Farrar (@NFL_DougFarrar) July 24, 2020
The Chargers future at quarterback is to be determined with veteran Tyrod Taylor as the starter for now, and first-round pick Justin Herbert very much under construction, but Allen will unquestionably be a stalwart in that passing game. 5. Larry Fitzgerald, Arizona Cardinals Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports His 1,378 receptions place him second all-time behind only Jerry Rice, and he's an 11-time Pro Bowler.
(Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports)
Fitzgerald was obviously one of the NFLs best outside receivers early in his career, and he was also one of the leagues first marquee wideouts to switch to the slot more often as his career evolved under former Arizona head coach Bruce Arians. When Fitzgerald did so, he presented impossible matchups for linebackers (who werent generally quick enough to keep up with him) and defensive backs (who were going to lose physical battles).
They said Larry was washed until Bruce put him in the slot and he dropped 1215 yards and 9 TDs at 32 years old.
Don't be surprised when AJ Green slides inside a bit more. 6'5' Go-Go Gadget Arms too long for slot corners too fast for safeties. pic.twitter.com/wHRjyVYzJF JetPack Galileo (@JetPackGalileo) July 24, 2020
In 2019, Fitzgerald worked in Kliff Kingsburys offense, where there were four receivers on the field on 227 of the Cardinals passing snaps. To put that into perspective, the Jaguars finished second in that category with 82 four-wide passing snaps. So, the slot position was kind of important, and Fitzgerald helped rookie quarterback Kyler Murray in all kinds of ways especially on broken plays where the receivers acumen and persistence is the only difference between success and disaster.
Here's the ageless Larry Fitzgerald giving his annual class in How To Create A Touchdown Out Of Absolutely Nothing. pic.twitter.com/kzsGPVDtrf Doug Farrar (@NFL_DougFarrar) July 23, 2020
Fitzgerald caught 60 slot passes on 86 targets for 668 yards, three touchdowns last season. As long as he wants to do it, you can expect more from the future first-ballot Hall of Famer. 4. Allen Robinson, Chicago Bears Provided by Touchdown Wire Top Slot Receivers Of All Time Players
(Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports)
If theres one current NFL receiver who deserves the Andre Johnson Award for making things happen despite a series of bad quarterbacks (seriously just look at what Johnson had with the Texans from 2003 through 2014), it would be Robinson, whose primary quarterbacks since he came into the league with the Jaguars in 2014 have been Blake Bortles, Chad Henne, Chase Daniel, and Mitchell Trubisky. And now, here comes Nick Foles to the Windy City! Oh, goody. In any event, Robinson proved to be one of the NFLs most productive and efficient slot targets last season, despite some serious QB issues.
Last season, from the slot, Allen Robinson caught 47 passes on 63 targets for 560 yards, four touchdowns, and not a single dropped pass.
SOMEBODY GET THIS MAN A DECENT QUARTERBACK. pic.twitter.com/W42Mr4pJgo Doug Farrar (@NFL_DougFarrar) July 23, 2020
As a slot target in 2019, Robinson allowed his quarterbacks (Trubisky and Daniel) a rating of 105.1, which is the definition of lifting your teammates up beyond their own capabilities Trubisky and Daniel combined for an overall rating of 83.9. Maybe someday, hell enjoy a connection with a quarterback worthy of his talents. 3. Cooper Kupp, Los Angeles Rams File Photo File photo
(Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports)
The Rams formerly vaunted passing offense fell off in 2019, dropping from fifth overall in Football Outsiders opponent-adjusted efficiency metrics in the franchises Super Bowl season of 2018, to 13th in 2019. Some of that had to do with the running game falling apart, some of that had to do with defenses figuring Sean McVays offense out to a point, and a lot of it had to do with quarterback Jared Goff hitting his ceiling with the force of an Aaron Donald sack.
Didnt matter to Kupp, though. The Rams third-round pick in 2017 had his most productive season as a slot target in 2019, with 69 catches on 99 targets for 853 yards, five touchdowns, and a passer rating of 101.1 when targeted inside. That was exactly Goffs overall passer rating in 2018, but it dropped to 86.5 in 2019, while Kupp was the rare part of that passing game that actually presented improvement.
Kupp is especially good at reading and understanding coverage, which allows him to break to defensive openings and take advantage of those openings with his acceleration and downfield speed.
Cooper Kupp is so good at elongating his release and waiting for things to open up underneath. What makes him more than an average slot receiver is his burst after the catch. pic.twitter.com/9G1GQXp0Xb Doug Farrar (@NFL_DougFarrar) July 23, 2020 2. Chris Godwin, Tampa Bay Buccaneers File photo Tom Brady is taking his talents south, joining the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Two players who stand to benefit greatly from this move are tight end O.J. Howard and receiver Chris Godwin. During Brady's time in New England, two positions were heavily targeted by the veteran passer: The tight end and the slot receiver. (Douglas DeFelice-USA TODAY Sports)
(Douglas DeFelice-USA TODAY Sports)
Godwin ranked fifth overall in my colleague Mark Schofields list of the NFLs best outside receivers two spots higher than Bucs teammate Mike Evans, who gets far more national recognition so that gives you an idea how good Godwin is overall. But Godwin creates specific problems as a slot receiver due to his route understanding, impressive strength to break off defenders, and downfield speed to create plays downfield.
Schofield included this play in his analysis of Godwin, and I independently added it here before I read Marks piece. Because its just remarkable.
Chris Godwin: The best receiver we're not talking about enough. I suspect that will change with a different QB. Check, release, downfield, buh-bye. pic.twitter.com/AP4xbDLsxo Doug Farrar (@NFL_DougFarrar) July 23, 2020
In 2019, Godwin brought in 50 slot receptions on 68 targets for 838 yards, five touchdowns, one dropped pass, and a quarterback rating of 100.2 when targeted. Now, add Tom Brady into that equation Brady knows a thing or two about connecting over and over with great slot receivers and it should come as no surprise if Godwin finds his name at the top of this list next year. 1. Tyler Lockett, Seattle Seahawks Provided by Touchdown Wire
(Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports)
Including the postseason, no slot receiver caught more touchdown passes than Lockett did in the 2019 campaign with six. He also allowed Russell Wilson a 122.9 passer rating when targeting him from the slot. Not that creating supernatural efficiency for his quarterback is a new thing for Lockett in 2018, he became the first receiver since at least 2018 to take at least 20 of his snaps and still rack up a perfect passer rating overall when targeted. Top Slot Receivers Of All Time Nba
Lockett has become a top-level receiver no matter where he lines up, but hes a great slot target for the same reasons youll find for every receiver on this list he knows how create separation with spacing and leverage, he has an extra gear when he needs it, and in Locketts case, there are things hes learned about adjusting the speeds of his routes that make things very difficult for opposing defenders.
Outstanding job by that 2 WR of running up on Dean and having the patience to cause traffic while not making contact with his body. Dan Orlovsky (@danorlovsky7) July 23, 2020
In addition to those six slot touchdowns, Lockett caught 64 inside passes on 88 targets for a league-high 901 yards, and he dropped just one pass. As D.K. Metcalf becomes more of a force and a threat as an outside receiver, the Seahawks have one of the more dynamic duos at the position. But as much as Russell Wilson is the epicenter of Seattles passing game, this thing doesnt work without Locketts presence inside and out. Best Slot Receiver MORE:
