Feb 1, 2004; Houston, TX, USA; FILE PHOTO; Carolina Panthers receiver Steve Smith (89) catches a touchdown pass ahead of New England Patriots defensive back Tyrone Poole (not pictured) in the 2nd quarter during Super Bowl XXXVIII at Reliant Stadium. The Patriots defeated the Panthers 32-29. Mandatory Credit: MPS-USA TODAY Sports
These are the all-time receiving leaders for every NFC team:
Arizona Cardinals-Larry Fitzgerald 17,492:
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)
Fitzgerald is one of the truly all-time great WRs the game has ever seen. It is a shame his career was mired so often with lousy Cardinal teams.
Atlanta Falcons-Julio Jones 12,896:
Dec 6, 2020; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones (11) runs against New Orleans Saints cornerback P.J. Williams (26) during the first half at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Bill Belichick has been in the news a ton lately. Jones is part of an interesting bit of folklore around him. Before he was drafted, it was widely reported that Belichick was asked about Jones, and wasn’t too impressed…maybe that’s why the coach was never great at evaluating WR talent.
Carolina Panthers-Steve Smith 12,197:
CHARLOTTE, NC – DECEMBER 2: Steve Smith #89 of the Carolina Panthers pulls in this second half pass against the San Francisco 49ers at Bank of America Stadium on December 2, 2007 in Charlotte, North Carolina. Carolina defeated San Francisco 31-14. (Photo by Rex Brown/Getty Images)
Smith, like Fitzgerald, was often burdened with lousy Carolina teams. If I were to ask the average football fan how many yards he caught in his career, my bet is that less than half would even be close. Some wouldn’t even remember who he played for.
Chicago Bears-Johnny Morris 5,059:
Oct 11, 1964; Chicago, IL, USA; FILE PHOTO; Chicago Bears running back Johnny Morris (47) in action against the Los Angeles Rams. Mandatory Credit: Malcolm Emmons- USA TODAY Sports
Morris ranks last on this list. For a team with such a long and storied history, this is unfathomable. Maybe the fact that the Bears never seem to be able to produce a top-tier QB has something to do with it.
Dallas Cowboys-Jason Witten 12,977:
Nov. 24, 2005; Irving, Texas USA; Dallas Cowboys tight end (82) Jason Whitten scores a touchdown during the 4th quarter of the game against the Denver Broncos at Texas Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Photo by Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports (c) Copyright 2005 Tim Heitman
If I were to ask 100 NFL fans who leads the Cowboys in receiving yards, 99 would most likely say Michael Irvin…but Witten actually gained about 1,000 more yards over his career.
Detroit Lions-Calvin Johnson 11,619:
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)
Johnson had a relatively short nine-year career, which makes his total yardage even more amazing. It’s a shame that most people only saw him once a year on Thanksgiving, because he was truly special…and he had one of the great nicknames of all time: Megatron.
Green Bay Packers-Donald Driver 10,137:
Oct 17, 2004; Detroit, MI, USA; Donald Driver #80 of the Green Bay Packers celebrates his first half touchdown against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field. The Packers defeated the Lions 38-10. Mandatory Credit: Photo by Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports (c) Copyright 2004 Matthew Emmons
I’m not the biggest Aaron Rodgers fan, but the fact that Driver is the all-time Packer leading receiver may prove Rodgers’ greatness more than anything else. Nobody would guess Driver, and nobody would realize he had more than 10,000 receiving yards.
Los Angeles Rams-Isaac Bruce 14,109:
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)
If there is a Mt. Rushmore of WRs, there is an argument to be made that Bruce belongs on it. He was a fantastic route runner, with great hands and explosive speed.
Minnesota Vikings-Cris Carter 12,383:
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)
Carter was amazing, and another receiver who could be considered on Mt Rushmore, but frankly, if Randy Moss played his entire career in Minnesota, he would be in this spot.
New Orleans Saints-Marques Colston 9,759:
Nov 29, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; New Orleans Saints wide receiver Marques Colston (12) makes a reception during the fourth quarter against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium. The Texans defeated the Saints 24-6. The Texans defeated the Saints 24-6. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Playing 10 years with prolific QB Drew Brees and offensive-minded HC Sean Payton can inflate a player’s numbers. In a sense, it is amazing that Colston was the No. 1 option for Brees.
Similar to Colston in many ways, their numbers were nearly identical. He played five of his 13 seasons with Eli Manning, winning a Super Bowl. Colston and Toomer were each nice receivers, but neither ever put fear in opponents’ secondaries.
Philadelphia Eagles-Harold Carmichael 8,978:
Oct 28, 1973; Philadelphia, PA, USA; FILE PHOTO; Philadelphia Eagles receiver (17) Harold Carmichael celebrates against the Dallas Cowboys at Veterans Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tony Tomsic-USA TODAY NETWORK
Similar to Maynard, Carmichael retired 42 seasons ago. The team currently has two WRs, AJ Brown and Devonta Smith, who could each overtake him. Both have around 4000 yds.
San Fransisco 49ers-Jerry Rice 19,247:
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)
As is the case with Rice for most things, he is the leader of this list. I can’t say much about Rice that hasn’t been said…there are no more superlatives for him. He is the GOAT of WRs and is in the top-five all-time for all positions.
Seattle Seahawks-Steve Largent 13,089:
Nov 25, 1984; Denver, CO, USA; FILE PHOTO; Seattle Seahawks receiver Steve Largent (80) is chased by Denver Broncos defensive back Mike Harden (31) at Mile High Stadium. Mandatory Credit: MPS-USA TODAY Sports
Largent was an amazing possession receiver before it was cool. He was a fantastic route runner and had sneaky speed. As was the case, his teams were often bad. The Hall of Famer only made the playoffs in four of his 14-year career with the Seahawks.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers-Mike Evans 12,684…and counting:
GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN – JANUARY 24: Mike Evans #13 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers completes a reception for a touchdown in the first quarter against the Green Bay Packers during the NFC Championship game at Lambeau Field on January 24, 2021 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
Evans is only 31 years old. He’s played 11 seasons with the Buccaneers. He has gained over 1000 receiving yards in each of those 11 seasons. As great as Evans is, he has taken second fiddle to players like Ja’Marr Chase, Tyreek Hill, and Davante Adams. When the smoke clears, Evans may be the best of the bunch of them.
Washington Commanders– Art Monk 12,026:
Jan 1, 1984; Washington, DC, USA; FILE PHOTO; Washington Redskins receiver Art Monk (81) celebrates a touchdown against the Los Angeles Rams during the 1983 NFC Playoff Game at RFK Stadium. The Redskins won 17-0. Mandatory Credit: Manny Rubio-USA TODAY Sports
Simply put, Monk was the straw that stirred the drink in Washington’s Super Bowl years. He played 14 of his 16 year career with the Redskins, and could be yet another of those WRs on Mt Rushmore.
