Wide receivers are often considered "game-changers." Whether it's a deep-ball threat, a shifty slot receiver, or just a do-it-all pass-catcher— every dominant team in NFL history has had at least one star receiver.
But who are the best wide receivers in NFL history?
Since the league's first season in 1920, countless talents have graced the field, but only a few have had the combination of on-the-field prowess, longevity, and wins to earn a spot among the best ever.
FOX Sports Research broke down the numbers and ranked the 10 best wide receivers in NFL history.
While there are some obvious choices near the top, there are also some surprising names that made our list when analyzing their performances. Where does your favorite wide receiver rank?
Let's take a look:
1. Jerry Rice
Simply put, Jerry Rice is the Tom Brady of wide receivers — the undisputed greatest of all-time. He is the league's all-time leader in receptions (1,549), receiving yards (22,895), and receiving touchdowns (197). Rice was selected to a whopping 11 All-Pro teams, earned 13 Pro Bowl selections, and also won three Super Bowl titles with the 49ers. He's also got two Offensive Player of the Year awards and was named MVP of Super Bowl XXIII. From a postseason perspective, he also is the NFL's all-time leader in receiving yards (2,245) and receiving touchdowns (22). Rice was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2010.
2. Randy Moss
Arguably the best deep-ball threat of all-time, Randy Moss was an unstoppable force for the majority of his 14-year career. He strung together six consecutive seasons with 1,300-plus receiving yards from 1998 to 2003 with the Vikings, and had 10 or more receiving scores in five of these seasons. Moss finished his career as one of five receivers all-time to eclipse 15,000 receiving yards, and his 156 receiving touchdowns ranks second all-time. His 2007 season with the Patriots was arguably his best, as he set the NFL single-season record for touchdown catches with 23 — a mark that still stands today. The four-time First Team All-Pro and six-time Pro Bowler was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2018.
3. Terrell Owens
It's fitting that Terrell Owens ranks third on our list, as he's third all-time in receiving yards (15,934) and receiving touchdowns (153). He played 15 years and finished his career with five First Team All-Pro selections and six Pro Bowl nods en route to a Pro Football Hall of Fame induction in 2018. Owens also had 42 games in which he had 100-plus receiving yards and a touchdown catch, which trails only Jerry Rice (57) and Randy Moss (53) all-time. He went over 1,000 yards nine times over an 11-year span and had eight seasons with 10 or more touchdown receptions. Owens is also one of two players ever to record 20 receptions in a game, doing so against the Bears in the 2000 season (Brandon Marshall is the other).
4. Larry Fitzgerald
Having played all 17 years of his career with the Cardinals, Larry Fitzgerald was the epitome of a sure-handed receiver who made big plays when it mattered. The three-time All-Pro and 11-time Pro Bowl selection led the NFL in catches and receiving touchdowns twice during his career, and finished second all-time in receptions (1,432), second all-time in yards (17,492), and sixth all-time in touchdown catches (121). In the postseason is where he truly shined, as he is one of nine players ever to catch 10 touchdowns in the playoffs — doing so in just nine games. "Fitz's" 104.7 receiving yards per game in the postseason is the highest of any player to have appeared in at least five playoff games. He is eligible for the Pro Hall of Fame in 2026, and will most likely be a first-ballot choice.
5. Calvin Johnson
When you ask defensive coaches or players who the "scariest" receiver in the NFL was during the mid 2000s, Calvin Johnson's name always pops up. He was 6-foot-5 and weighted more than 230 pounds but still ran a blazing 4.35 40-yard dash at the combine, which earned him the nickname "Megatron." Johnson retired early and only played nine seasons (all with the Lions), but those nine seasons can stack up against anyone. He finished with 11,619 yards and 83 receiving touchdowns — both which rank in the top six all-time in a player's first nine seasons. Most notably, he has the NFL single-season record for receiving yards with a whopping 1,964 in 2007. Had he continued to play, Johnson might have been in the top two on this list. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2021.
6. Marvin Harrison
Another guy who spent his entire career with one team, Marvin Harrison was a Colt for 13 seasons and put up gaudy numbers with Peyton Manning as his quarterback. His total of 1,102 receptions ranks fifth all-time, his 14,580 receiving yards ranks ninth and his 127 receiving TDs is also fifth. Harrison earned eight All-Pro and Pro Bowl selections during his career, and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2016. He is also just one of three players in our top 10 to have won a Super Bowl, joining Rice and Isaac Bruce.
7. Cris Carter
Before the Vikings had Randy Moss, they had Cris Carter. One of four players ever with 130 career receiving touchdowns, Carter ranks sixth all-time in receptions (1,101) and 13th all-time in receiving yards (13,899). He made three All-Pro teams and eight Pro Bowls en route to a Pro Hall of Fame induction in 2013. The Ohio State product is Minnesota's all-time leader in every receiving category, and was known for sure-fire hands.
8. Isaac Bruce
Isaac Bruce played a prominent role in an offense that was dubbed "the greatest show on turf" — the Rams from 1999 to 2001. Bruce was only selected to one All-Pro team and four Pro Bowls, but his stats just can't be denied. His 15,208 receiving yards is the fifth-most of any player ever, and he is one of 12 wide receivers ever with 90-plus receiving touchdowns and one of 11 with over 1,000 receptions. Bruce was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2020.
9. Tim Brown
One of the greatest players in Raiders history, Tim Brown spent 16 of his 17 seasons with them — earning nine Pro Bowl selections in that span. He is one of 12 players in NFL history with 100 receiving touchdowns and one of 14 with over 1,000 receptions. Brown's 14,934 receiving yards ranks seventh all-time, and additionally is one of three players ever with 10,000 receiving yards and 4,000 total return yards (Derek Mason and Steve Smith). The 1987 Heisman Trophy winner leads the Raiders in all three receiving categories, and was inducted into the Pro Football of Fame in 2015.
10. Andre Johnson
Arguably the most surprising choice on this list, Andre Johnson's dominance was undeniable during his 14 NFL seasons. He ranks 11th all-time in receiving yards (14,185) and receptions (1,062), while his 70 receiving touchdowns also cracks the top 50 among wide receivers. He was a four-time All-Pro selection and seven-time Pro Bowler, but what's arguably most impressive about his career is that he accumulated these numbers without an elite quarterback throwing him the ball. While Matt Schaub was no slouch, just imagine what he would've done with some of the quarterbacks other receivers on this list had (Joe Montana, Peyton Manning, Matthew Stafford, Kurt Warner). Johnson was inducted into the Hall of Fame this year.
Honorable Mention:
- Steve Largent
- Reggie Wayne
- Don Hutson
- Lance Alworth
- Michael Irvin
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