Who are the 15 best wide receivers of all time? Find out who tops the list

The National Football League is one of the most famous leagues in the world. And aside from producing some of the best quarterbacks in history, it has also produced some of the best wide receivers of all time. Like the QB's role, the WR is essential and crucial to the squad's performance. Most wide receivers have made names for themselves and have gone down in history with numerous records and titles.

Although there are important positions in the NFL team, the QB and the WR positions are the most popular. The players in the positions must be fast, robust, agile, and swift, with excellent catching skills to match the opponent's advances and tackles.

Top 10 best wide receivers of all time

The NFL has seen some of the most extraordinary talents in the sport's history, and thus coming up with a list of the best in the arena is no walk in the park. Some of these talents have established themselves in the position and are regarded as the greatest due to their career stats.

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According to various online analysts, Sports Brief has compiled a list of the top 10 best wide receivers of all time as of 2023.

15. Fred Biletnikoff

• NFL team(s): Oakland Raiders
• Career records: Touchdowns – 76, receptions – 589, receiving yards – 8,974
• Years active in the NFL: 1965 - 1978
• Achievements: Hall of Fame 1988

Despite the era that he played in, the legendary Fred Biletnikoff went down in history as one of the best wide receivers ever. In his 13-year career, he made more than 40 receptions in more than ten seasons.

14. James Lofton

• NFL team(s): Green Bay, LA Raiders, Buffalo, Eagles, LA Rams
• Career records: Touchdowns – 75, receptions – 764, receiving yards – 14, 004
• Years active in the NFL: 1978 - 1993
• Achievements: Pro Football Hall of Fame

James Lofton was widely known for his power-pacing skills, with a record of more than 14,000 receiving yards. Historically, he was the first-ever player to reach a career-high of 14 404 yards.

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13. Charlie Joiner

• NFL team(s): Houston Oilers, Cincinnati, San Diego Chargers
• Career records: Touchdowns – 65, receptions – 750, receiving yards – 12,146
• Years active in the NFL: 1969 - 1986
• Achievements: Hall of Fame 1996

Joiner was one of the best wide receivers in history. Before he hung his boots, he was the all-time career leader regarding receiving yards and receptions. And although upcoming stars have broken his record, he is considered one of the best in the sport's history.

12. Lance Alworth

• NFL team(s): San Diego, Dallas
• Career records: Touchdowns – 85, receptions – 542, receiving yards – 10,266
• Years active in the NFL: 1962 - 1972

Achievements: Pro Football Hall of Fame, NFL 100 All-Time TeamAs one of the wide receivers of all time, Lance Alworth participated in 137 competitions. His skills had excellent offensive coordination, thus making him a threat to any opponent advancing toward him.

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11. Art Monk

• NFL team(s): Washington, New York Jets, Philadelphia
• Career records: Touchdowns – 68, receptions – 940, receiving yards – 12,721
• Years active in the NFL: 1980 - 1995
• Achievements: Pro Football Hall of Fame 2008, 3-time Super Bowl champion

Art Monk played 224 games in his entire career and, in doing so, made a career record of more than 12,700 receiving yards. He reached his greatest career high as a wide receiver while playing for the Washington Redskins.

10. Calvin Johnson

• NFL team(s): Detroit Lions
• Career records: Touchdowns – 83, receptions – 731, receiving yards – 11,619
• Years active in the NFL: 2007 - 2016
• Achievements: 6-time Pro Bowler, 3-time first-team selection

Johnson debuted his NFL career with the Detroit Lions after being selected the second pick overall in the 2007 NFL draft. He stayed with the club for nine years before hanging his boots in 2016 when he was 30.

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The former Lions WR was famous for his speed and size, allowing him to prevail over his opponents. He set numerous records in his career, including the single-season record for receiving 1,964 yards.

9. Michael Irvin

• NFL team(s): Dallas Cowboys
• Career records: Touchdowns – 65, receptions – 750, receiving yards – 11,904
• Years active in the NFL: 1988 - 2000
• Achievements: Pro Football Hall of Fame 2007, 5-time Pro Bowler, 3-time first-team All-Pro selection

Irvin is widely considered one of the Dallas Cowboys' best wide receivers of all time. He joined the club in 1988 after being picked eleventh overall in the NFL draft and stayed there for 12 years.

He was known for his excellent clutch performance regarding route running and for leading the Cowboys to three Super Bowl titles. However, he was a famous television personality, commentator, and analyst when he was off the pitch.

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8. Marvin Harrison

• NFL team(s): Indianapolis Colts
• Career records: Touchdowns – 128, receptions – 1102, receiving yards – 14,580
• Years active in the NFL: 1996 – 2009
• Achievements: 8-time Pro Bowler, 3-time first-team All-Pro selection, Pro Football Hall of Fame 2016

The legendary Marvin Harrison was famous due to his reliable hands and route-running ability, making him a threat to his opponents. He was picked nineteenth overall by the Colts in 1996 and spent his 13-year career at the club.

In his career, he made several records and was ranked fifth in receiving yards in sports history. With all the achievements to his name, he was regarded as one of the best wide receivers in NFL history.

7. Larry Fitzgerald

• NFL team(s): Arizona Cardinals
• Career records: Touchdowns – 121, receptions – 1432, receiving yards – 17,492
• Years active in the NFL: 2004 - 2020
• Achievements: 11-time Pro Bowler, 3-time All-Pro selection, 2016 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year

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Before being drafted into the National Football League by the Arizona Cardinals, Larry played for the University of Pittsburgh. He was a star, and thus he was picked third overall and, in his career, he ranked second in the sport's history. The Cardinals still rank him as the greatest all-time leader in receiving, touchdowns, and receiving yards.

6. Chris Carter

• NFL team(s): Philadelphia Eagles, Minnesota Vikings, Miami Dolphins
• Career records: Touchdowns – 130, receptions – 1,101, receiving yards – 13,899
• Years active in the NFL: 1987 - 2002
• Achievements: 8-time Pro Bowler, 2-time first-team All-Pro selection, Pro Football Hall of Fame 2013, 1999 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year

The famous Chris Carter joined the Eagles on his draft into the NFL. However, he only rose to stardom once he signed for other teams, such as the Dolphins and the Vikings.

With his exceptional skills on the pitch and his power route running ability, it is without a doubt that he is one of the Miami Dolphins' best wide receivers of all time.

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5. Steve Largent

• NFL team(s): Houston Oilers, Seattle Seahawks
• Career records: Touchdowns – 100, receptions – 819, receiving yards – 13,089
• Years active in the NFL: 1976 – 1989
• Achievements: 7-time Pro Bowler, 1-time first-team All-Pro selection

Steve was famous for his running abilities, which could see opponents run for their money. Additionally, his ability to make tough catches in traffic and his overall toughness and physic made him almost impossible to stop when going for a touchdown. The renowned player led his teams to several titles and achievements while playing as a wide receiver.

4. Don Hutson

• NFL team(s): Green Bay Packers
• Career records: Touchdowns – 99, receptions – 488, receiving yards – 7,991
• Years active in the NFL: 1935 – 1945
• Achievements: 3-time NFL MVP, 8-time All-Pro selection

Don Hutson is regarded as one of Green Bay Packers' best wide receivers of all time due to his success with the club. In his whole career in the National Football League, the legend only played for the Parkers. He was known for leading the Parkers to win three NFL championship titles and his 50 receptions in a single season.

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3. Terrell Owens

• NFL team(s): San Francisco 49ers, Eagles, Cowboys, Buffalo Bills, Cincinnati Bengals
• Career records: Touchdowns – 153, receptions – 1078, receiving yards – 15,934
• Years active in the NFL: 1996 - 2010
• Achievements: 5-time First-Team All-Pro, 6-time Pro Bowler, 49ers Hall of Fame

Owens is an all-time great in his role as the WR. In his 15-year career, he played for several teams in the National Football League, and his success preceded his reputation.

The renowned legend made several records, including 153 touchdowns throughout his career, and was considered one of the Buffalo Bills' best wide receivers of all time due to his 15,934-yard receptions.

2. Randy Moss

• NFL team(s): Vikings, Oakland Raiders, Patriots, Tennessee Titans, 49ers
• Career records: Touchdowns – 156, receptions – 982, receiving yards – 15,292
• Years active in the NFL: 1998 - 2012
• Achievements: 7-time Pro Bowler, 4-time first-team All-Pro selection

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Randy Moss is the most popular WR in the National Football League. He dominated the industry and revolutionized the position throughout his career thanks to his fame and popularity.

The renowned athlete was famous for his speed and ability to make magical catches, and in his 14-year career, he led the entire NFL with the most receiving touchdowns.

1. Jerry Rice

• NFL team(s): the 49ers, Oakland Raiders, Seattle Seahawks
• Career records: Touchdowns – 197, receptions – 1549, receiving yards – 22895
• Years active in the NFL: 1985 - 2005
• Achievements: Super Bowl MVP, 2010 Pro Football Hall of Fame, 3-time Super Bowl champion, 2-time Offensive Player of the Year, 10-time First Team All-Pro, 13-time Pro Bowler, 2010 Pro Football Hall of Fame

Statistically Jerry Rice is the greatest WR in history. His achievements in the position speak for themselves and are a testament to his dedication, hard work, and talent. Most of his records are yet to be broken, and from the look of things, they will stay that way for a long time.

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Who is the G.O.A.T of wide receivers?

Widely regarded as the greatest of all time in the National Football League is the famous legend Jerry Rice.

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The last WR to win the Heisman Trophy was DeVonta Smith with Alabama in 2020. The legend made 20 touchdowns, 117 receptions, and 1,856 receiving yards.

To be considered one of the best wide receivers of all time, an athlete has to have exceptional speed, high leaping ability, and the skill to make incredible near-possible catches. Most fans would agree that watching a WR making an almost impossible catch is one of the most amazing feelings ever to be experienced.

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