Greatest Wide Receivers
by OfficialPaul | created - 21 Dec 2010 | updated - 14 Feb 2023 | Public
1. Jerry Rice
Actor | The Game
Hall of Fame wide receiver and three-time Super Bowl champion Jerry Rice is widely regarded as the best wide receiver to ever play in the National Football League, and arguably the greatest player of all time. During his 15-year career with the San Francisco 49ers, Rice won three Super Bowls (Super...
1,549 Rec | 22,895 Rec YDs | 197 Rec TDs
• 13× Pro Bowl selection; • 12× All-Pro selection; • 3× Super Bowl Champion (XXIII, XXIV, XXIX); • 3x NFC champion; • AFC champion
Awards
• 2× AP NFL Offensive Player of the Year (1987, 1993)
• 3× NFC Offensive Player of the Year (1986, 1987)
• PFWA MVP (1988)
• Pro Bowl MVP (1996)
• Super Bowl XXIII MVP
Honors
• Pro Football Hall of Fame (2010)
• NFL 75th Anniversary All-Time Team
• NFL 1980s All-Decade Team
• NFL 1990s All-Decade Team
• San Francisco 49ers #80 retired
• Rated #2 NFL Player of all-time by Sporting News (1999)
• Rated #1 NFL Player of all-time by NFL.com (2010)
NFL.com stats
2. Randy Moss
Producer | NFL Turning Point
Randy Moss was born on February 13, 1977 in Rand, West Virginia, USA. He is an actor and producer, known for NFL Turning Point (2011), Arli$$ (1996) and Sunday NFL Countdown (1985).
NFL 2000s All-Decade Team
3. Don Hutson
Self | Super Bowl XXII
Donald Montgomery Hutson was the first star wide receiver in NFL history. He is credited with creating many of the modern pass routes used in the NFL today. He is credited as the first to use the buttonhook, z-out, hook and go and countless other routes that have become staples of offensive ...
488 REC | 7,991 YDs | 99 TDs
Awards
• 2× Joe F. Carr Trophy winner (1941, 1942)
Records
• Green Bay Packers all-time leading TD receptions leader (99)
Honors
• Pro Football Hall of Fame (1963)
• Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame
• NFL 75th Anniversary All-Time Team
• NFL 1930s All-Decade Team
• Green Bay Packers #14 Retired
• Rated #6 NFL Player of all-time by Sporting News (1999)
• Rated #9 NFL Player of all-time by NFL.com (2010)
NFL.com stats
4. Terrell Owens
Actor | Any Given Sunday
Terrell Owens was born on December 7, 1973 in Alexander City, Alabama, USA. He is an actor and producer, known for Any Given Sunday (1999), Dysfunctional Friends (2012) and Lap Dance (2014). He has been married to Rachel Snider since January 23, 2014.
NFL 2000s All-Decade Team
5. Marvin Harrison
Actor | The Jersey
Marvin Harrison was born on August 25, 1972 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. He is an actor, known for The Jersey (1999), The NFL on CBS (1956) and NFL Monday Night Football (1970).
NFL 2000s All-Decade Team
6. Larry Fitzgerald
Producer | All Eyez on Me
Height: 6'3 / Weight: 218 / College: Pittsburgh / Hometown: Minneapolis, MN / DOB: August 31, 1983 / Pro Bowl Selection: 2005, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013
Two-time All-State and prep All-America receiver at Academy of the Holy Angels (Minneapolis, MN), High School Larry Fitzgerald ...
7. Steve Largent
Self | The NFL on NBC
Steve Largent was born on September 28, 1954 in Tulsa, Oklahoma, USA. He has been married to Terry Largent since January 4, 1975. They have four children.
8. Michael Irvin
Actor | Jack and Jill
Michael Irvin was born on March 5, 1966 in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, USA. He is an actor and writer, known for Jack and Jill (2011), The Longest Yard (2005) and Criminal Minds (2005). He has been married to Sandy Harrell since June 23, 1990. They have four children.
750 Rec | 11,904 YDs | 65 TDs
• 5× Pro Bowl selection (1991, 92, 93, 94, 95); • First-Team All-Pro selection (1991); • 2× Second-Team All-Pro selection (1992, 93); • 3× Super Bowl champion (XXVII, XXVIII, XXX)
Awards
• Pro Bowl MVP (1992)
Honors
• Pro Football Hall of Fame (2007)
• NFL 1990s All-Decade Team
• Dallas Cowboys Ring of Honor
• Rated #92 NFL Player of all-time by NFL.com (2010)
NFL.com stats
9. Raymond Berry
Self | The NFL on CBS
Raymond Berry is an American former professional football player and coach in the National Football League (NFL). He played as a split end for the Baltimore Colts from 1955 to 1967, and after several assistant coaching positions, was head coach of New England Patriots from 1984 to 1989. With the ...
10. Calvin Johnson
Self | The NFL on CBS
Calvin Johnson was born on September 29, 1985 in Newnan, Georgia, USA. He has been married to Brittney McNorton since June 4, 2016. They have one child.
11. Lance Alworth
Actor | Greatest Sports Legends
Lance Alworth was born on August 3, 1940 in Houston, Texas, USA. He is an actor, known for Greatest Sports Legends (1972), NFL Monday Night Football (1970) and AFL on ABC (1960). He has been married to Laura Churchill since 1997. He was previously married to Joyce Lewis Gallo and Betty Jean.
12. Fred Biletnikoff
Actor | The Norseman
Fred Biletnikoff was born on February 23, 1943 in Erie, Pennsylvania, USA. He is an actor, known for The Norseman (1978), A Knife for the Ladies (1974) and Vega$ (1978). He has been married to Angela Loder since May 31, 1991. They have one child. He was previously married to Jerrylyn O'Connor and ...
13. Paul Warfield
Self | The NFL on CBS
Paul Warfield was born on November 28, 1942 in Warren, Ohio, USA.
14. Charlie Joiner
Self | The NFL on CBS
Charlie Joiner was born on October 14, 1948 in Many, Louisiana, USA.
15. Charley Taylor
Self | The NFL on NBC
Charley Taylor was born on September 28, 1941 in Grand Prairie, Texas, USA. He was an actor, known for The NFL on NBC (1965), The NFL on CBS (1956) and NFL Monday Night Football (1970). He was married to Patricia. He died on February 19, 2022 in Sterling, Virginia, USA.
16. Cris Carter
Actor | Who Killed Jimmy Gumdrops
Cris Carter was born on November 25, 1965 in Troy, Ohio, USA. He is an actor, known for Who Killed Jimmy Gumdrops, Living Single (1993) and Ballers (2015). He has been married to Melanie Morgan since February 24, 1990. They have two children.
17. Andre Reed
Actor | MacGyver
Andre Reed was born on January 29, 1964 in Allentown, Pennsylvania, USA. He is an actor, known for MacGyver (2016), Hawaii Five-0 (2010) and Magnum P.I. (2018).
18. Don Maynard
Self | The NFL on CBS
Don Maynard was born on January 25, 1935 in Crosbyton, Texas, USA. He was married to Marilyn Weaver and Anna. He died on January 10, 2022 in Ruidoso, New Mexico, USA.
19. Tim Brown
Actor | Little Giants
Tim Brown was born on July 22, 1966 in Dallas, Texas, USA. He is an actor and producer, known for Little Giants (1994), Ballers (2015) and The Perfect 10 (2023). He has been married to Sherice Weaver since June 21, 1997. They have four children.
20. Art Monk
Actor | Jerry Maguire
Art Monk was born on December 5, 1957 in White Plains, New York, USA. He is an actor, known for Jerry Maguire (1996), NFL Monday Night Football (1970) and The NFL on CBS (1956). He is married to Desirre. They have three children.
21. Torry Holt
Producer | The Hip-Hop Fellow
Torry Holt was born on June 5, 1976 in Greensboro, North Carolina, USA. He is a producer, known for The Hip-Hop Fellow (2014), The NFL on CBS (1956) and NFL Monday Night Football (1970).
NFL 2000s All-Decade Team
22. Lynn Swann
Actor | The Last Boy Scout
Lynn Swann was born on March 7, 1952 in Alcoa, Tennessee, USA. He is an actor, known for The Last Boy Scout (1991), The Waterboy (1998) and The Program (1993). He has been married to Charena Shaffer since June 23, 1991. They have two children. He was previously married to Bernadette Robi.
23. Bob Hayes
Self | The NFL on CBS
Bob Hayes was born on December 20, 1942 in Jacksonville, Florida, USA. He died on September 18, 2002 in Jacksonville, Florida, USA.
24. John Stallworth
Actor | Fighting Back: The Story of Rocky Bleier
John Stallworth was born on July 15, 1952 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA. He is an actor, known for Fighting Back: The Story of Rocky Bleier (1980), The NFL on NBC (1965) and NFL Monday Night Football (1970). He has been married to Flora Stein since May 25, 1974. They have two children.
25. Isaac Bruce
Self | The NFL on CBS
Isaac Bruce was born on November 10, 1972 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA.
26. James Lofton
Writer | NFL on Prime Video
James Lofton was born on July 5, 1956 in Fort Ord, California, USA. He is a writer and producer, known for NFL on Prime Video (2017), The NFL on NBC (1965) and The NFL on CBS (1956). He has been married to Beverly Fanning since January 30, 1981. They have four children.
27. Hines Ward
Actor | Dynasty
Hines Ward was born on March 8, 1976 in Seoul, South Korea. He is an actor, known for Dynasty (2017), The NFL on CBS (1956) and NFL Monday Night Football (1970). He has been married to Lindsey Georgalas since July 27, 2014. He was previously married to Simone.
28. Andre Johnson
Self | The NFL on CBS
Andre Johnson was born on July 11, 1981 in Miami, Florida, USA.
29. Anquan Boldin
Self | NFL Monday Night Football
Anquan Boldin was born on October 3, 1980 in Pahokee, Florida, USA.
30. Reggie Wayne
Actor | Parks and Recreation
Reggie Wayne was born on November 17, 1978 in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA. He is an actor, known for Parks and Recreation (2009), The NFL on CBS (1956) and NFL Monday Night Football (1970).
31. Chad Johnson
Actor | American Reunion
Chad Johnson was born on January 9, 1978 in Miami, Florida, USA. He is an actor, known for American Reunion (2012), Sharknado 3: Oh Hell No! (2015) and The Rookie: CTU (2007). He was previously married to Evelyn Lozada.
32. Steve Smith
Self | The NFL on CBS
Steve Smith was born on August 30, 1964 in Washington, District of Columbia, USA. He was an actor, known for The NFL on CBS (1956), NFL Monday Night Football (1970) and The NFL on NBC (1965). He was married to Chie Smith. He died on November 20, 2021 in Richardson, Texas, USA.
33. Harold Carmichael
Self | The NFL on CBS
Harold Carmichael was born on September 22, 1949 in Jacksonville, Florida, USA.
34. Wes Welker
Actor | Ballers
Wes Welker was born on May 1, 1981 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA. He is an actor, known for Ballers (2015), McEnroe's Places (2023) and The NFL on CBS (1956). He has been married to Anna Welker since June 24, 2012. They have three children.
35. Sterling Sharpe
Self | The NFL on NBC
Sterling Sharpe was born on April 6, 1965 in Chicago, Illinois, USA.
36. Irving Fryar
Actor | Any Given Sunday
Irving Fryar was born on September 28, 1962 in Mount Holly, New Jersey, USA. He is an actor, known for Any Given Sunday (1999), NFL Monday Night Football (1970) and The NFL on CBS (1956). He was previously married to Jacqueline.
37. Andre Rison
Writer | Wide Open: The Andre Rison Story
Andre Rison was born on March 18, 1967 in Flint, Michigan, USA. He is an actor and writer, known for Wide Open: The Andre Rison Story (2023), TNA iMPACT! Wrestling (2004) and Arli$$ (1996). He is married to Lisa Lopez. They have four children. He was previously married to Tonja Harding.
38. Jimmy Smith
Self | The NFL on CBS
Jimmy Smith was born on February 9, 1969 in Detroit, Michigan, USA.
39. Keenan McCardell
Self | The NFL on CBS
Keenan McCardell was born on January 6, 1970 in Houston, Texas, USA.
40. Rod Smith
Actor | Woodshop
Rod Smith was born on May 15, 1970 in Texarkana, Arkansas, USA. He is an actor, known for Woodshop (2010), The NFL on CBS (1956) and NFL Monday Night Football (1970).
41. Keyshawn Johnson
Producer | 30 for 30
Keyshawn Johnson was born on July 22, 1972 in Los Angeles, California, USA. He is a writer and producer, known for 30 for 30 (2009), Keyshawn, JWill and Zubin (2020) and Living Single (1993). He has been married to Jennifer Conrad since August 24, 2014. They have two children. He was previously ...
42. Muhsin Muhammad
Self | The NFL on CBS
Muhsin Muhammad was born on May 5, 1973 in Lansing, Michigan, USA.
43. Henry Ellard
Self | The NFL on NBC
Henry Ellard was born on July 21, 1961 in Fresno, California, USA.
45. Eric Moulds
Self | The NFL on CBS
Eric Moulds was born on July 17, 1973 in Lucedale, Mississippi, USA.
46. Joey Galloway
Writer | ESPN College Football
Joey Galloway was born on November 20, 1971 in Bellaire, Ohio, USA. He is a writer and producer, known for ESPN College Football (1979), College Football Live (2007) and ESPN College Football Thursday Primetime (1992).
47. Donald Driver
Producer | ImPossible
Donald Driver is the Green Bay Packers' all-time leading wide receiver, a Super Bowl champion, New York Times bestselling author and season 14 "Dancing with the Stars" champion. Driver has made over a dozen appearances on "Good Morning America," and has also appeared on popular programs such as "...
48. Laveranues Coles
Actor | Why Did I Get Married Too?
Laveranues Coles was born on December 29, 1977 in Jacksonville, Florida, USA. He is an actor, known for Why Did I Get Married Too? (2010), The NFL on CBS (1956) and NFL Monday Night Football (1970).
49. Santana Moss
Producer | The Safety
Santana Moss was born on June 1, 1979 in Miami, Florida, USA. He is a producer, known for The Safety, The NFL on CBS (1956) and NFL Monday Night Football (1970).
50. Herman Moore
Actor | Jerry Maguire
Herman Moore was born on October 20, 1969 in Danville, Virginia, USA. He is an actor, known for Jerry Maguire (1996), Sensual (2010) and The NFL on CBS (1956).
51. Amani Toomer
Producer | Perfect Effort
Amani Toomer was born on September 8, 1974 in Berkeley, California, USA. He is a producer, known for Perfect Effort (2007), The NFL on CBS (1956) and NFL Monday Night Football (1970). He was previously married to Yolanda Dabrowski.
52. Drew Hill
Self | American Gladiators
Drew Hill was born on October 5, 1956 in Newnan, Georgia, USA. He died on March 18, 2011 in Atlanta, Georgia, USA.
53. Terrance Mathis
Self | The NFL on CBS
Terrance Mathis was born on June 7, 1967 in Detroit, Michigan, USA.
54. Ricky Proehl
Self | The NFL on CBS
Ricky Proehl is a 17-year veteran of the NFL. He started playing football when he was eight years old. He attended Hillsborough High School in Hillsborough, New Jersey, where he starred in both football and baseball. Proehl attended Wake Forest University, where he was a four-year letterman in ...
55. Bobby Engram
Self | The NFL on NBC
Bobby Engram was born on January 7, 1973 in Camden, South Carolina, USA.
56. Rob Moore
Actor | Jerry Maguire
Born September 27, 1968, Rob Moore is one of the most talented wide receivers in the NFL today. Originally from Long Island, Moore played wide receiver for Syracuse University. He was drafted in the first round of the 1990 supplemental draft by the New York Jets. In 1994, he was selected to the Pro...
57. Johnnie Morton
Actor | Jerry Maguire
Johnnie Morton was born on October 7, 1971 in Inglewood, California, USA. He is an actor, known for Jerry Maguire (1996), Moesha (1996) and The NFL on CBS (1956).
58. T.J. Houshmandzadeh
Self | The NFL on CBS
T.J. Houshmandzadeh was born on September 26, 1977 in Victorville, California, USA. He is an actor, known for The NFL on CBS (1956), NFL Monday Night Football (1970) and NFL on FOX (1994).
59. Curtis Conway
Actor | Married with Children
Curtis Conway was born on January 13, 1971 in Los Angeles, California, USA. He is an actor, known for Married... with Children (1987), The NFL on CBS (1956) and The NFL on NBC (1965). He has been married to Laila Ali since July 22, 2007. They have two children. He was previously married to Leoria ...
60. Joe Horn
Self | The NFL on NBC
Joe Horn was born on January 16, 1972 in New Haven, Connecticut, USA.
61. Terry Glenn
Self | The NFL on CBS
Terry Glenn was born on July 23, 1974 in Columbus, Ohio, USA. He died on November 20, 2017 in Dallas, Texas, USA.
62. Tony Martin
Self | The NFL on CBS
Tony Martin was born on September 5, 1965 in Miami, Florida, USA.
63. Mike Quick
Actor | Invincible
Mike Quick was born on May 14, 1959 in Hamlet, North Carolina, USA. He is an actor, known for Invincible (2006), The Goldbergs (2013) and The NFL on NBC (1965).
64. Anthony Miller
Self | The NFL on CBS
Anthony Miller was born on April 15, 1965 in Los Angeles, California, USA.
65. Bill Brooks
Self | The NFL on NBC
Bill Brooks was born on April 6, 1964 in Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
66. Mark Clayton
Self | The NFL on CBS
Mark Clayton was born on April 8, 1961 in Indianapolis, Indiana, USA.
67. Carl Pickens
Self | NFL Monday Night Football
Carl Pickens was born on March 23, 1970 in Murphy, North Carolina, USA.
68. Marty Booker
Self | The NFL on CBS
Marty Booker was born on July 31, 1976 in Marrero, Louisiana, USA.
69. Ike Hilliard
Producer | When I Grow Up?
Ike Hilliard was born on April 5, 1976 in Patterson, Louisiana, USA. He is a producer, known for When I Grow Up? (2020), The NFL on CBS (1956) and NFL Monday Night Football (1970).
70. Eddie Kennison
Self | The NFL on CBS
Eddie Kennison was born on January 20, 1973 in Lake Charles, Louisiana, USA.
71. Stanley Morgan
Self | The NFL on CBS
Stanley Morgan was born on February 17, 1955 in Easley, South Carolina, USA.
72. Troy Brown
Actor | The Three Stooges
Troy Brown was born on July 2, 1971 in Barnwell, South Carolina, USA. He is an actor, known for The Three Stooges (2012), Family Guy (1999) and The NFL on CBS (1956).
73. Santonio Holmes
Self | The NFL on CBS
Santonio Holmes was born on March 3, 1984 in Belle Glade, Florida, USA.
Tell Your Friends