San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Jerry Rice (80) runs with the football after making a catch and drags Bengals defensive back Solomon Wilcots (41) along the way during the 4th quarter of the 49ers 20-16 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals in Super Bowl XXIII on January 22, 1989 at Joe Robbie Stadium in Miami, Florida. Rice had 11 receptions for a then Super Bowl-record 215 yards and one touchdown, on a sprained ankle, and was named the game’s Most Valuable Player. (Photo by Sylvia Allen/Getty Images)
Today’s NFL is chock full of outstanding wideouts, but in the 1990s, there were still several sensational talents at the position. Here are my top 10 wide receivers of the ‘90s.
10. Isaac Bruce, STL
St. Louis Rams wide receiver Isaac Bruce (80) races downfield during Super Bowl XXXIV, a 23-16 St. Louis Rams victory over the Tennesee Titans on January 30, 2000, at the Louisiana Superdome in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Allen Kee/Getty Images)
Bruce was a dominant possession receiver in the early 2000s as a part of the Rams’ “Greatest Show On Turf,” but injuries slowed him down earlier in his career. That being said, he had a monster season in 1995 and helped the ‘99 Rams win the Super Bowl with the game-winning score.
9. Jimmy Smith, JAX
12 Sep 1999: Jimmy Smith #82 of the Jacksonville Jaguars runs with the ball away from Darnell Walker #38 of the San Francisco 49ers during the game at the Alltell Stadium in Jacksonville, Florida. The Jaguars defeated the 49ers 41-3. Mandatory Credit: Andy Lyons /Allsport
Smith was the star of a strong passing attack in Jacksonville. He recorded at least 1,000 yards every year from 1996 to 1999, including 1,636 yards in 1999. The five-time Pro Bowler even continued to produce deep into his 30s.
CLEVELAND, OH – AUGUST 19: Wide receiver Andre Rison #80 of the Atlanta Falcons looks on from the field during pregame warmup prior to a preseason game against the Cleveland Browns at Cleveland Browns Stadium on August 19, 1994 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Browns defeated the Falcons 28-7. (Photo by George Gojkovich/Getty Images)
Rison may have been a journeyman, but he impressed everywhere he went. A dangerous deep threat, the explosive wideout had 1,000 yards for two different teams, made five Pro Bowls, and won a Super Bowl with Green Bay.
7. Sterling Sharpe, GB
Green Bay Packers wide receiver Sterling Sharpe (84) catches a six-yard touchdown pass–one of three TDs Sharpe had for the game–during a 34-19 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on December 24, 1994, at Houlihan’s Stadium in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by James V. Biever/Getty Images)
Sharpe is one of the biggest “what-ifs” in NFL history. A player full of talent who also had the benefit of catching passes from Brett Favre, Sharpe was absurdly productive, averaging over 1,100 yards per season in his seven-year career. But sadly, his career was cut short when he suffered a career-ending neck injury in 1994.
6. Herman Moore, DET
PONTIAC, MI – SEPTEMBER 26: Wide receiver Herman Moore #84 of the Detroit Lions runs with the football after catching a pass against the Phoenix Cardinals at the Pontiac Silverdome on September 26, 1993 in Pontiac, Michigan. The Lions defeated the Cardinals 26-20. (Photo by George Gojkovich/Getty Images)
Standing at 6’4, 210 pounds, Moore was a big-bodied, physically dominant receiver. He helped the Lions become a consistent playoff team in the 1990s along with Barry Sanders. Moore was a four-time Pro Bowler and three-time All-Pro in his time in Detroit.
CINCINNATI, OH – NOVEMBER 24: Tim Brown #81 of the Los Angeles Raiders scores a touchdown against the Cincinnati Bengals during an NFL football game November 24, 1991 at Riverfront Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio. Brown played for the Raiders from 1988-2003. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images)
Brown was an incredibly well-rounded wideout who was both reliable and game-breaking. He also excelled at punt returns, making a Pro Bowl early in his career as a returner. And his stats speak for themselves; his 14,934 career receiving yards is seventh in NFL history.
4. Cris Carter, MIN
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – JANUARY 6: Wide receiver Cris Carter #80 of the Minnesota Vikings catches a pass against the sideline against the New Orleans Saints in the 2000 NFC Divisional Playoff Game at the Metrodome on January 6, 2001 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Vikings defeated the Saints 34-16. (Photo by Joseph Patronite/Getty Images)
After his breakout 1993 season – 1,071 yards and 9 TDs – Carter never stopped producing. His sticky hands and deep speed made him one of the NFL’s most consistent players – the receiver made eight Pro Bowls and continued to perform well into his 30s.
3. Andre Reed, BUF
PASADENA, CA – CIRCA 1993:Andre Reed of the Buffalo Bills rushing against the Dallas Cowboys at Super Bowl 27 played at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena,California on January 31st 1993. (Photo by Owen C. Shaw/Getty Images)
Reed was the apple of Bills QB Jim Kelly’s eye, and the two forged a nearly unstoppable partnership in the ‘90s. Reed made seven Pro Bowls and four consecutive Super Bowl appearances and is now an NFL Hall of Famer.
2. Michael Irvin, DAL
PHILADELPHIA, PA – DECEMBER 23: Michael Irvin #88 of the Dallas Cowboys in action against the Philadelphia Eagles during an NFL football game December 23, 1990 at Veterans Stadium in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Irvin played for the Cowboys from 1988-99. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images)
They called him “The Playmaker” for a reason, and the flashy Irvin consistently showed why. From 1991 to 1995, Irvin was one of the best receivers the NFL had ever seen and was still solid in the seasons after. The Hall of Famer made five Pro Bowls and helped Dallas win three Super Bowls.
1. Jerry Rice, SF
MIAMI, FL- JANUARY 22: Jerry Rice #80 of the San Francisco 49ers runs with the ball against the Cincinnati Bengals during Super Bowl XXIII on January 22, 1989 at Joe Robbie Stadium in Miami, Florida. The 49ers won the Super Bowl 20-16. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images)
The best wide receiver ever, there was simply no stopping Jerry Rice. His 22,895 receiving yards is over 5,000 more than the next closest player. He made 13 Pro Bowls and did so in three different decades, and was an All-Pro a whopping 10 times. And the Hall of Famer also won 3 Super Bowls with his beloved 49ers.
