One wide receiver towers above the rest in NFL history.
But with big names including Randy Moss, Terrell Owens and Larry Fitzgerald cracking talkSPORT’s Top 10 list, ranking the greatest wideouts of all-time wasn’t easy.
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Randy Moss was a game changer who kept putting up huge numbers with Tom BradyCredit: Getty
While running backs have been devalued and the passing game has exploded thanks to franchise quarterbacks such as Tom Brady and Patrick Mahomes, many of the NFL’s best pass catchers still date back to the 1980s and ’90s.
Below, talkSPORT ranks the best wide receivers in NFL history using yards and touchdowns as the main metrics.
10. Reggie Wayne
Reggie Wayne started slow then became one of the most dependable and trusted wide receivers in NFL history.
As the No. 30 overall pick in the 2001 NFL Draft out of Miami, Wayne spent his early years proving himself in Indianapolis’ offense, which already featured Marvin Harrison as Peyton Manning’s No. 1 wideout.
But Wayne broke out in the 2004 season, catching 77 balls for 1,210 yards and 12 TDs.
He then eclipsed the 1,000-yard mark in eight of his next nine seasons, earning six Pro Bowl honours while helping guide the Colts to two Super Bowls.
Wayne ended his career just behind Harrison in all-time receiving yards, highlighting the historic wideout combination that helped Manning excel in Indy.
Career stats: (14,345 receiving yards, 82 receiving touchdowns)
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Reggie Wayne was one of two Colts to benefit from the Peyton Manning era in IndyCredit: Getty
9. Lance Alworth
Alworth has one of the greatest nicknames in NFL history (Bambi) and was ahead of the curve at the wide receiver game.
The seven-time Pro Bowler and six-time All Pro made his name playing within the San Diego Chargers’ trend-setting offense in the AFL.
Alworth’s jumping catches and downfield speed consistently burned opposing defenses, as the NFL and AFL champion altered the view of what a wide receiver could do on the field.
While many stats from football’s early decades don’t hold up nowadays, Alworth’s name still rings out.
He also has career marks of 10,266 receiving yards, 85 TDs and 18.9 yards per reception, which are good enough to place Alworth among the best in NFL history.
(10,266 yards, 85 TDs)
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Lance Alworth changed the perception of wide receivers and stretched the fieldCredit: Getty
8. Steve Smith Sr.
One of the toughest receivers in NFL history fought for every yard and has kept fighting after his playing days.
Smith is synonymous with the Carolina Panthers, where he spent the initial 13 seasons of a career that should soon reach the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Making Smith’s numbers even more impressive is his draft position.
The 5ft 9in receiver wasn’t taken until the No. 74 overall slot during the third round in 2001.
He barely played as a rookie, then eclipsed 1,000 yards in his third season.
Smith spent 16 seasons in the league, collecting 70 catches and 799 yards a full 15 years after he was drafted.
The third-round pick overcame his size and third-round status to become one of the toughest receivers to ever play the game.
(14,731 yards, 81 TDs)
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Steve Smith’s intensity on the field turned him into an annual receiving forceCredit: Getty
7. Marvin Harrison
Peyton Manning’s best years were with the Indianapolis Colts and Manning’s best combo was with Harrison.
As the No. 19 overall pick in 1996 out of Syracuse, Harrison endured a couple up-and-down seasons before Manning arrived as a No. 1 franchise QB selection.
By year two of the Manning-Harrison combo, the Colts were 13-3 and Harrison was catching 115 balls for 1,663 yards and 12 TDs.
It began an unprecedented run for Harrison, who blended speed and strong hands with precise route running.
Harrison twice led the NFL in receiving, made eight Pro Bowls and won a Super Bowl with Manning in 2006.
Harrison became a lock as a Hall of Famer and was a bargain as a No. 19 pick.
(14,580 yards, 128 TDs)
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Marvin Harrison was one of the best possession receivers in NFL historyCredit: Getty Images – Getty
6. Calvin Johnson
Barry Sanders walked away from the Detroit Lions out of frustration.
Calvin Johnson did the same and it’s easy to wonder how much better Johnson would have been on a better team.
Despite only playing nine seasons, the No. 2 overall pick out of Georgia Tech made six Pro Bowls, earned three All Pro selections and was a surefire Hall of Famer.
Johnson passed the 1,000-yard mark in seven seasons and his 2012 campaign was historic.
Playing for a 4-12 Lions team, Johnson caught 122 balls for a league-best 1,964 yards and finished third in Offensive Player of the Year voting.
(11,619 yards, 83 TDs)
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Calvin Johnson’s leaping catches and huge gains defined his time with the LionsCredit: Getty
5. Steve Largent
Largent is the rarity on this list.
He wasn’t record-setting fast and Largent wasn’t drafted until the No. 117 overall pick during the fourth round in 1976.
After almost being cut by the Houston Oilers as a rookie, Largent overcame professional and personal adversity to become one of the most trusted receivers to ever play the game.
He also spent his entire 14-year career with the Seattle Seahawks, earning seven Pro Bowl honours and passing the 1,000-yard mark eight times.
Largent’s 16.0 yards-per-catch average highlights his big-play ability and his 100 career TDs was a perfect final mark for one of the NFL’s most complete wideouts.
(13,089 yards, 100 TDs)
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Steve Largent was dependable and dangerous for Seattle for 14 seasonsCredit: Getty
4. Randy Moss
Moss takes this Top 10 list to the next level.
Only Moss could have gone from college ball at Marshall to 1,313 yards and 17 TDs as an NFL rookie in the same year.
Only Moss could have answered his huge early numbers in Minnesota with even bigger stats while paired with Tom Brady in the New England Patriots’ dynasty.
The explosive and at times volatile Moss became one of the league’s most revered wideouts, dominating defenses and catching at least 10 TDs in nine of his 14 campaigns.
He’s in the final echelon of receivers and rivals Jerry Rice as the best downfield target of all time.
(15,292 yards, 156 TDs)
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Moss excelled with the Vikings but was at his best paired with Tom Brady in 2007Credit: Getty
3. Terrell Owens
Owens is another powerful reminder that the NFL Draft is overrated.
Not taken until the No. 89 overall selection during the third round in 1996, the Chattanooga product unleashed a Hall of Fame career that will be analyzed for decades to come.
Owens was often best known for his off-field antics and on-field drama.
But there’s no doubt that T.O. was a supreme force between the lines.
He broke 1,000 yards nine times, finished second in Offensive Player of the Year voting in 2004, and made five All Pro teams.
At his best and worst, Owens was a truly modern receiver who changed the game.
He punished defenses, week after week, for more than a decade.
(15,934 yards, 153 TDs)
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Terrell Owens’ numbers are impossible to dispute and he was an annual forceCredit: Getty
2. Larry Fitzgerald
Fitzgerald built on Largent’s one-team mentality and expanded the foundation.
From 2004-20, Fitzgerald was an Arizona Cardinal year after year.
He made 11 Pro Bowls, broke the 1,000-yard mark nine times and twice led the NFL in receptions.
Other elite receivers shined brighter at certain moments but Fitzgerald was always there for Arizona and kept annually adding to his historic numbers.
Kurt Warner and Carson Palmer benefited from Fitzgerald’s dependability, while the Cardinals twice reached the NFC Championship with Larry Legend running exceptional routes.
Fitzgerald finished only looking up at one receiver in NFL history.
(17,492 yards, 121 TDs)
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Larry Fitzgerald spent his entire 17-year career lifting up Arizona’s offenseCredit: Getty
1. Jerry Rice
The Tom Brady of wide receivers.
Rice was so good for so long that he’s the undisputed GOAT of his position.
He also paired with Joe Montana, the second-best QB of all-time, to turn the San Francisco 49ers into a dynasty.
Rice’s records appear untouchable right now, highlighted by a more than 5,000 yard advantage for the all-time receiving record.
Wideouts became louder and flashier after Rice finally walked away in 2004 but no one has come close to being better.
His work ethic is unparalleled and it’s easy to argue that Rice is the second-best offensive player in NFL history, only trailing Brady.
(22,895 yards, 197 TDs)
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Jerry Rice is easily the best wide receiver in NFL history and no one else is closeCredit: Getty
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