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)
Football fans love to argue over who is the best at each position. It’s so hard to determine greatness in a game that has been played for so long. Here is a list of the 30 greatest wide receivers to have ever played. Agree? Disagree? Leave a comment and let us know!
25. Hines Ward (1998-2011)
DETROIT – FEBRUARY 05: Wide receiver Hines Ward #86 of the Pittsburgh Steelers scores a touchdown on a pass from receiver Antwaan Randle El #82 in front of cornerback Marcus Trufant #23 of the Seattle Seahawks in the fourth quarter of Super Bowl XL at Ford Field on February 5, 2006 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
12,083 receiving yards, 85 TDs
Arguably the greatest blocking receiver to have played
24. Paul Warfield (1964-1977)
PITTSBURGH, PA – DECEMBER 8: A detailed view of a Cleveland Browns logo against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the game on December 8, 2011 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The Steelers won 14-3. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
8,565 receiving yards, 85 TDs
Eight-time Pro Bowl receiver
23. Raymond Berry (1955-1967)
INDIANAPOLIS – DECEMBER 22: Indianapolis Colts logo at mid-field at Lucas Oil Stadium, home of the Indianapolis Colts football team on December 22, 2015 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo By Raymond Boyd/Getty Images)
9,275 receiving yards, 68 TDs
Known to have had the greatest hands of his generation
22. Lance Alworth (1962-1972)
INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA – JANUARY 7: A general view of the Los Angeles Chargers logo in the end zone from an elevated position before a game against the Kansas City Chiefs at SoFi Stadium on January 7, 2024 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Ric Tapia/Getty Images)
10,255 receiving yards, 85 TDs
His game breaking speed changed the way that wide receivers were used
21. Antonio Brown (2010-2021)
12,291 receiving yards, 83 TDs
Don’t let his antics fool you—AB was one of the greatest to play at the position
20. Fred Biletnikoff (1965-1978)
HENDERSON, NEVADA – JUNE 10: A team logo is shown above the entrance at the 336,000-square-foot Las Vegas Raiders Headquarters/Intermountain Healthcare Performance Center under construction on June 10, 2020 in Henderson, Nevada. The site will serve as the team’s practice facility and will include three outdoor football fields, a 150,000-square-foot field house with one-and-a-half indoor football fields, a three-story office area, and a 50,000-square-foot performance center. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
8,974 receiving yards, 76 TDs
Was so good that the best receiver award in college is named after him
19. Sterling Sharpe (1988-1994)
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)
8,134 receiving yards, 65 TDs
Was on a top five trajectory before a neck injury cut his career short
18. Julio Jones (2011-2023)
13,703 receiving yards, 66 TDs
Greatest receiver in Falcons history
17. Andre Johnson (2033-2016)
CLEVELAND, OH – NOVEMBER 16: Andre Johnson #80 of the Houston Texans warms up prior to the game against the Cleveland Browns at FirstEnergy Stadium on November 16, 2014 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
14,185 receiving yards, 70 TDs
Had at least 60 receptions in his first eight seasons
16. Reggie Wayne (2001-2014)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN – AUGUST 26: Reggie Wayne #87 of the Indianapolis Colts runs down the sideline on a 57-yard touchdown reception during the first half of an NFL preseason game against the Green Bay Packers at Lucas Oil Stadium on August 26, 2011 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
14,345 receiving yards, 82 TDs
Had 93 career playoff receptions
15. Marvin Harrison (1996-2008)
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Marvin Harrison (88) slips behind Houston Texans cornerback DeMarcus Faggins (38) for a touchdown in the fourth quarter. The Texans defeated the Colts 27-24, Dec. 24, 2006 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/NFLPhotoLibrary)
14,580 receiving yards, 128 TDs
Manning to Harrison is one of the most dangerous hookups in NFL history
14. Isaac Bruce (1994-2009)
St. Louis Rams wide receiver Isaac Bruce (80) catches a pass 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)
15,208 receiving yards, 91 TDs
One half of the “Greatest Show on Turf”
13. Art Monk (1980-1995)
LANDOVER, MD – JANUARY 01: A general view of the Washington Commanders logo on the stadium concourse before the game between the Washington Commanders and the Cleveland Browns at FedExField on January 1, 2023 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
12,721 receiving yards, 68 TDs
One of the most consistent receivers of his generation
12. James Lofton (1978-1993)
IRVING, TX – NOVEMBER 29: Tackle Chad Clifton #76 of the Green Bay Packers with a #21 sticker on his helmet for Sean Taylor of the Washington Redskins during play with the Dallas Cowboys at Texas Stadium on November 29, 2007 in Irving, Texas (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
14,004 receiving yards, 75 TDs
Was the first receiver to reach 14,000 receiving yards
11. Andre Reed (1985-2000)
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)
13,198 receiving yards, 87 TDs
The lead receiving cog to the Bills four Super Bowl appearances
10. Michael Irvin (1988-1999)
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)
11,904 receiving yards, 65 TDs
Not as big of a TD threat as many on this list, but few were more physical
9. Tim Brown (1988-2004)
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)
14,934 receiving yards, 100 TDs
“Mr. Raider” retired as one of the leaders in both receiving and return yardage
8. Don Hutson (1935-1945)
1943: Don Hutson #14 of the Green Bay Packers catches the ball while posing for a portrait circa 1943. (Photo by Bruce Bennett Studios via Getty Images Studios/Getty Images)
7,991 receiving yards in a run-heavy league, 99 TDs.
He was selected to 9 All-NFL teams in 11 seasons.
7. Larry Fitzgerald (2004-2020)
GLENDALE, ARIZONA – DECEMBER 26: Wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald #11 of the Arizona Cardinals makes a reception against the San Francisco 49ers during the NFL game at State Farm Stadium on December 26, 2020 in Glendale, Arizona. The 49ers defeated the Cardinals 20-12. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
17,492 receiving yards, 121 TDs
Imagine his statistics if he played with better QB play
6. Cris Carter (1987-2002)
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)
13,899 receiving yards, 130 TDs
He “only caught touchdowns,” according to former Eagles Head Coach Buddy Ryan
5. Terrell Owens (1996-2010)
IRVING, TX – OCTOBER 15: Wide receiver Terrell Owens #81 of the Dallas Cowboys celebrates his third touchdown against the Houston Texans on October 15, 2006 at Texas Stadium in Irving, Texas. The Cowboys defeated the Texans 34-6. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
15, 934 receiving yards, 153 TDs
Not always the best teammate or the most coachable, “TO” was certainly one of the most talented ever
4. Calvin Johnson (2007-2015)
FOXBOROUGH, MA – NOVEMBER 23 : Calvin Johnson #81 of the Detroit Lions warms up during pregame warm ups prior to playing the New England Patriots in an NFL football game on November 23, 2014 at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts. Johnson played for the Lions from 2007-2015. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images)
11,619 receiving yards, 83 TDs
Retired after nine seasons, “Megaton” could have easily been second on this list had he played longer.
3. Steve Largent (1976-1989)
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON – OCTOBER 29: The Seattle Seahawks throwback logo is seen on the football field at Lumen Field before the game against the Cleveland Browns on October 29, 2023 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
13,089 receiving yards, 100 TDS
The first player to catch 100 TD passes
2. Randy Moss (1988-2012)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – JANUARY 6: Wide receiver Randy Moss #84 of the Minnesota Vikings races upfield 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)
15,292 receiving yards, 156 TDs
His speed and size made him a matchup nightmare.
1. Jerry Rice (1985-2004)
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)
22,895 receiving yards, 197 TDs
Without a doubt, the greatest receiver to ever play the game.
