The NFL Elite: Five Greatest Wide Receivers In History

Embed from Getty Images
For over a century, the position of receiver evolved from an afterthought to a marquee role within the fabric of the NFL.

NFL receivers are the fast, nimble-footed, centers of attention that make offenses work. Fans line the seats, hoping for the big play that wins the game. However, despite some conventional, albeit myopic notions, wideouts are not a dime a dozen. With NFL rosters boasting five, even six at the position, the line between elite and also-ran remains crystal clear. With that said, which five sit head and shoulders above the rest?

Larry Fitzgerald (Cardinals)

For his size, Fitzgerald possessed decent speed and explosion. However, he didn’t make this list because of his ability to run by defenders. Instead, Fitzgerlad used nuanced physical capabilities. Strong enough to defeat a jab with power, but quick enough to sweep hands away, corners struggled. Next, the fluidity to keep that same corner at arm’s length earned high marks. In contrast, to be thrown open, Fitzgerald opened passing windows. If you look deeper than the 17,492 yards or 121 touchdowns, the number twenty-nine should mean more. In 2,335 targets, Fitzgerald totaled only twenty-nine drops. In fact, he receives credit for more tackles (41) than drops. If Santonio Holmes doesn’t make an all-time great catch, people would have even more reverence for Larry Fitzgerald.

Marvin Harrison (Colts)

The quietest man on the field that made noise for the Colts. 1,102 catches and 128 touchdowns signify extended greatness for the former Syracuse standout. However, Harrison could have an argument for the best route-runner on this list with someone higher on the list. The film loved Harrison. He played every snap at full tilt, without trying to count his steps on routes. Instead, he executed his transitions, from, say, a go, into a post with no wasted movement or slow steps. Corners tried to mirror but Harrison’s footwork and route specificity made him a nightmare cover. Additionally, playing with Peyton Manning and his proclivity to play with a combination of pacing and levels, two-man routes that used the same pattern at different levels of the field would challenge even the best receivers. For example, if the play tasked Harrison to run a slant, he needed to ensure the other wideout on his side would enjoy the spacing to make both routes effective.

Randy Moss (Vikings, Raiders, Patriots, Titans, 49ers)

In NFL history, no receiver to line up wide possessed the game-breaking ability and burst that Moss did. Nine double-digit seasons, many of the long variety, thrilled the NFL. Additionally, the 156 career touchdowns during his five-team tenure rank second all-time. Yet, people miss an underrated aspect of his career. Granted, the fly pattern aired on Sportcenter on a decade-long infinite loop. At the same time, Moss put in the work to diversify the route tree. After his first Minnesota and after the Oakland debacle, New England evolved Moss’ game into more of a complete wideout. Stops, digs, double move, and even the slant rounded out the route tree. In 2007, Moss set the single-season receiving record with twenty-three. No one has sniffed twenty since his retirement. Off the field, Moss’ surname, due to his ability to win jump balls became a verb in the American football lexicon.

Terrell Owens (49ers, Eagles, Cowboys, Bills, Bengals)

While others on this list possessed unique skillsets and characteristics, Terrell Owens gets grief for his attitude. If you focus solely on what the film says, the second spot feels right. After an unremarkable rookie season, Owens jumped into the national consciousness. Unlike every other player on this list, Owens wasn’t a first-round pick. Owens worked himself into greatness. On the field, he never gave up on plays. He rushed back from injuries to play. Critics ignore that, the 1,078 catches, 15,934 yards. Tack on 153 touchdowns with a work ethic that saw him productive until the old-receiver age of thirty-seven. Longevity and sustained excellence merit this selection. Yiu doesn’t need to like Terrell Owens personally, but respect is a given.

Around Full Press Coverage

OPINION: Morten Andersen: The Toughest Place To Kick? For Me, It Was This Place

NFL: NFL 2022: Five Key Statistics for Week 2

NFL: Kansas City Chiefs Stock Report: Week 2 2022

FANTASY FOOTBALL: Fantasy Football Value Picks In Every Round

PODCAST: Full Press NFL Podcast Ep 54: Chargers At Chiefs Preview

Jerry Rice (49ers, Raiders, Seahawks)

While his numbers need zero explanation, Rice’s route-running is the absolute best that the NFL produced. For example, Rice could win a route with merely his shoulders. Now, not the tried-and-true shoulder fakes, but with the stillness and late break on patterns like the post. The cornerbacks would try and guess, leading to a false step. Even the greatest cornerback in history, Deion Sanders looked occasionally lost. Rice opened patterns with that now-famous three-step shuffle, which opened the entire field as a possibility. Another example is the walling off technique. Ball in the air, Rice would cut inside the defender, without contact, giving his quarterback a window that only he, with a well-thrown ball, would catch. These techniques, although seemingly minimal, allowed Rice to produce into his forties, unheard for a position that is occasionally predicated by speed. Statistically speaking, Rice put his career records out of reach, even in today’s pass-happy NFL.