During a 2019 game between the Arizona Cardinals and the Atlanta Falcons, Cardinals legend Larry Fitzgerald called Julio Jones the best receiver he’s ever seen. While Jerry Rice is undoubtedly the greatest of all time, there is a difference between best and greatest. When it comes to greatness, you factor in accolades, longevity, team success, etc. When it comes to the best, it’s simply how good were you at playing the game. So who is the best receiver of all time?

6. Julio Jones

Even though Jones has been consistently dominant for the last six seasons, it always feels like he’s been in someone’s shadow. Calvin Johnson, Antonio Brown, and DeAndre Hopkins have all been considered better than him at one point or another, hurting his placement. Before finishing at 1,394 last year, Jones was the only receiver to ever break the 1,400-yard mark for five straight years. Massive, speedy, dominant, and a savvy route runner, Jones has averaged 104 catches per season the last few years while still maintaining a yards per catch average of 15. Jones' play doesn’t fall in the postseason either: In eight career playoff games, he’s racked up 834 receiving yards and six scores. To see peak NFL wide receiver play, put on the 2016 NFC Championship Game and watch Julio Jones annihilate the Packers helpless secondary.

5. Terrell Owens

Owens’ uncanny ability to rub people the wrong way forced his career to end earlier than it could’ve and also pushed back his inevitable Hall of Fame induction by one year. But with that being said, Owens still ended up as one of the five best and greatest receivers to ever play in the NFL. Tied for third all-time with nine 1,000 yard seasons, Owens produced everywhere, breaking that mark for three different franchises. It was tough deciding whether to put T.O. ahead of Jones, but his heroic 122 yards Super Bowl outing on a broken ankle gave him the edge. Oh, he can also run a 4.5 40 at the age of 46.

4. Antonio Brown

Although it was a conversation about Julio Jones that sparked the idea to create this ranking, it must be remembered that it was Brown who took the torch from Calvin Johnson as the league’s best receiver. Standing at just 5’10 and 185 pounds, it wasn’t Brown’s physical dominance that set him apart from everyone else. His incredible route running, hands, and ability to always be in the right place made him unstoppable. From 2013-2018, Brown averaged 114 receptions, 1524 yards, and 11 touchdowns per season. Before his off-the-field issues derailed his career, we last saw “Mr. Big Chest” racking up 185 yards and two scores in an effort to will the Pittsburgh Steelers to the postseason. Even while out of football, he may still be the best WR in the league.

3. Jerry Rice

Nearly 6,000 yards ahead of #2 on the list, Jerry Rice is the NFL’s all-time receiving leader with 22,895 career yards to his name. For every season Randy Moss played (14), Rice has a 1,000-yard campaign for it. In 2002 at the age of 40, Rice broke the 1,200-yard mark and added 77 more in the Super Bowl. It’s more than just longevity for the G.O.A.T. as well: in his prime, Rice was as good as anyone ever. Before Calvin Johnson took the record in 2012, Rice had the single-season yardage record. Before Randy Moss racked up 23 touchdowns in ‘07, it was Rice who had 22 in ‘87… a season where he played only 12 games.

2. Calvin Johnson

When playing for a team as historically inept as the Lions, it’s hard to get your due. For the man nicknamed ‘Megatron,’ that wasn’t the case. Even though his teams were often nowhere near the playoff picture, Johnson was still universally recognized as the best receiver in football. Matthew Stafford would often launch bombs into double and triple coverage, rightfully expecting #81 to come down with them. In 2012, Johnson broke the single-season receiving yards record, falling just 36 yards shy of 2,000 yards. Just a season before that, Johnson recorded a ridiculous stat line of 12/211/2 in his FIRST career postseason game. As a result emblematic of his entire career, his team still lost by 17. A 6’5, 240-lb behemoth with 4.35 speed, it’s unfortunate that the career of a generational talent like this was wasted by an incompetent franchise.

1. Randy Moss

When looking at talent alone, Moss probably should’ve been the greatest receiver to ever play the game. Even though several issues prevented that from happening, Moss still showcased why he was the best. As a rookie, Moss would break the 1,300-yard mark and score an NFL rookie record 17 receiving touchdowns. He broke 1,000 yards in each of his first six seasons, something only current Bucs receiver Mike Evans has been able to match. Moss was always the fastest player on the field, and was so good at catching the football that he had a term named after him. The act of ‘mossing’ a defender is making a contested-catch over them. Moss was also an integral part of arguably the greatest offense of all time, the 2007 Patriots. That year, he was the recipient of 23 of Tom Brady’s then-record 50 TD passes.

All statistics courtesy of profootballreference.com

-By: Micah Jimoh

Writer

15. Allen Robinson, Chicago Bears

Coming in at number 15 is Allen Robinson from the Chicago Bears. Robinson, one of the more underrated receivers in the league, quietly had an impressive year in 2020. Robinson caught 98 balls for 1,147 yards and 7 touchdowns, all with Mitch Trubisky at quarterback. That should say something about the talent of Robinson. Robinson has never quite lived up to his 2015 season, where he had 1,400 yards and 14 touchdowns, but a lot has to do with injuries or below-average quarterback play. When someone that can get the ball to him consistently is under center, Robinson has proven to be extremely effective.

14. Chris Godwin, Tampa Bay

After flirting with success in his first two seasons, Chris Godwin burst on the scene in 2019 for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. In 14 games, the 23-year-old had 1,333 yards, which was third in the NFL, and 9 touchdowns, which was tied for 4th. Godwin went to his first Pro Bowl in 2019 and hopes for many more, especially with Tom Brady under center now in Tampa Bay. The sky is the limit for the young wide receiver, and his big-play ability can help change the narrative of a game on one play.

13. Courtland Sutton, Denver Broncos

While the draft picks of Jerry Jeudy and K.J. Hamler are big news, don’t sleep on the man who solidified himself as the team’s number one guy: Courtland Sutton. Sutton had his first 1,000-yard season in just his second year, and what makes that so impressive is that the quarterback play was suspect until Drew Lock took over. In the five games Lock started, Sutton was targeted 40 times, with 10 coming in two games. These are encouraging signs for Sutton, and with Jeudy and Hamler lined up next to him, there is going to be a lot of room for Sutton to do damage. If Lock can live up to the hype, watch out for Courtland Sutton to emerge as one of the most dangerous receivers in the AFC.

12. Odell Beckham Jr., Cleveland Browns

While times have not always been the greatest, Odell Beckham Jr. should still be regarded as one of the top receivers in the NFL. After going to three straight Pro Bowls and winning Rookie of the Year in his first three seasons, Beckham has not made the Pro Bowl since. With that being said, the LSU product has still been very productive, posting 1,000-yard seasons in five of six seasons. The one season he didn’t was 2017, an injury-plagued year where he appeared in only four games. The expectations will be high yet again in 2020. With the combination of Beckham’s talent and the hope that QB Baker Mayfield gets back to his rookie success, this year may be the year that he returns to form.

11. Kenny Golladay, Detroit Lions

Kenny Golladay can easily be regarded as the most underrated receiver in the NFL. In two seasons starting, Golladay has totaled for 2,253 receiving yards and 16 touchdowns. In 2019, Golladay led the league in receiving touchdowns with 11. He also earned his first Pro Bowl appearance and will only get better with experience. Golladay showed his ability to stretch the field averaged last year when he averaged 18.3 yards per catch, good for third in the league. 

10. Stefon Diggs, Buffalo Bills

Starting the top 10 is Stefon Diggs, who is now a Buffalo Bill. The Bills shocked the world when they traded for Diggs, and are adding a lot of firepower to their offense through his addition. The former Minnesota Viking has played five years and has been as consistent as they come, totaling for a career stat line of 365 catches, 4,623 yards and 30 touchdowns. These are very solid numbers that can scare a defense, as this addition will help QB Josh Allen grow into the star that everyone wants him to be. It gives him a legitimate number one option next to deep threat John Brown and slot receiver Cole Beasley. Diggs is a special player and is going to do special things in Buffalo.

9. Keenan Allen, Los Angeles Chargers

It is almost like everybody forgot how good Keenan Allen was, but every year he reminds us of how special of a talent he is. Since the 2015 and 2016 seasons, when he was injured, Allen has been a force for the Chargers offense. In the last three seasons, he has gone over 1,110 yards in every season, caught 100 or more passes in two of the three, and totaled for 18 touchdowns. To top that, Allen has made the Pro Bowl in all three of these seasons. The former 2017 comeback player of the year will look to continue his success with rookie QB Justin Herbert and get the Los Angeles Chargers back to the playoffs.

8. Adam Thielen, Minnesota Vikings

Even though 2019 was a lost season due to injury, Adam Thielen has been one of the top receivers in the game since 2017, where he made the first of his two Pro Bowls. In 2017 and 2018, Thielen went off for 1,276 yards and 1,373 yards respectively, with a total of 13 touchdowns (9 in 2018). When healthy, Thielen has proven to be one of the more reliable pass catchers in the league, with a catch percentage of almost 70 percent. The highlight of his 2019 season came in the Wild Card round against the Saints. Thielen made a ridiculous over the shoulder catch that gained 43 yards, which set up the game winning touchdown to TE Kyle Rudolph. Thielen is a star in this league and will look to regain his form in 2020.

7. Amari Cooper, Dallas Cowboys

Even though he made the Pro Bowl in the first two seasons of his career, Cooper struggled in 2017 with dropped passes. Since being traded to Dallas in 2018, however, the former Alabama receiver has given the Cowboy offense new life. Cooper has 1,914 yards and 14 touchdowns in 25 total games in Dallas, and has made the Pro Bowl both years. His catch percentage is up, and his consistency is much better. Cooper has a little bit of an injury bug, but very rarely misses games. If Cooper can stay healthy throughout a whole season without playing hurt, you will see his production skyrocket to another level.

6. Davante Adams, Green Bay Packers

One of the young receivers who can easily enter the top 5 next year is Davante Adams from the Green Bay Packers. Adams, who broke into the league at 22, has flirted with becoming a star receiver and, if it wasn’t for injuries, it would have happened this year. Adams had 997 yards and 5 touchdowns in only 12 games. Imagine adding a whole quarter of a season to that line. Adams best season was in 2018, where he posted a line of 111 catches, 1,386 yards and 13 touchdowns. If Adams can stay healthy in 2020 and beyond, he has a chance to surpass these numbers and become an even better wide receiver.

5. Tyreek Hill, Kansas City Chiefs

When you think of a star receiver, you wouldn’t think of a guy built like Tyreek Hill. His production says otherwise, though. Over his four-year career, the now-Super Bowl champ has over 4,000 yards receiving and 32 touchdowns. His speed is unmatchable, and defenses have to key on him on almost every play. He can beat you deep, but can also take an end-around to the house. Besides the Super Bowl, Hill is also a 4-time Pro Bowler and 2-time All-Pro (2016 and 2018). With QB Patrick Mahomes around to let it fly, expect Hill to keep burning corners with his pure speed and explosiveness for many years to come.

4. Mike Evans, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Joining his teammate Chris Godwin on this list is Mike Evans. Evans, known for his 6’5” frame, has dominated cornerbacks since he entered the league in 2014. In six seasons, Evans has a whopping 7,260 yards and 48 touchdowns. He has surpassed 1,000 yards in every season, and is constantly giving opposing secondaries problems. Evans does not catch a surplus of passes, but his catches come with big yardage and often lead to the endzone. His tall stature helps him in the red zone and find a good position to make a play. With QB Jameis Winston gone and QB Tom Brady in, Evans is going to dominate at an entirely different level. Maybe in 2020, he will finally have a shot to make a splash in the playoffs

3. Michael Thomas, New Orleans Saints

Now we enter the cream of the crop of this list. At number three comes in a guy that has some of the greatest numbers to start a career of all-time, Michael Thomas. The Saints wideout has led the league in catches over the past two seasons, and led the league in yards in 2019 with 1,725 yards. His 149 catches in 2019 broke the single season receptions record, previously held by Marvin Harrison. Thomas’ numbers have gotten better and better every year, and if he can top 2019 he may have the greatest season by a receiver of all time. The reason why he is not number one is because the two guys in front of him have just been playing for a little longer, but there is no doubt that the two time All-Pro has a legit shot to be number one as soon as next season.

2. DeAndre Hopkins, Arizona Cardinals

Coming in at number two is DeAndre Hopkins from the Arizona Cardinals. Much like Diggs to the Bills, the Cardinals made an enormous splash in the offseason by trading for this star wideout. Hopkins has been unguardable since he has entered the league, and has arguably the best hands. At just 27 years old, Hopkins is already a three-time All-Pro and has missed only two games in seven seasons. Before QB Deshaun Watson, there was zero stability at the position, but that didn’t stop Hopkins from producing. Hopkins has had over 1,500 yards twice in his career and has gone over 10 touchdowns three times. He is a truly complete receiver. While not the fastest, he is explosive off the line, runs precise routes, and catches anything in his area code. QB Kyler Murray should have a lot of fun with his new wide receiver. Expect big things from this duo in 2020.

1. Julio Jones, Atlanta Falcons

Claiming the number one spot on this list was a close call, but Julio Jones has been so good for so long and has dominated the position for nine seasons. Jones, a sure hall of famer, has been dominant ever since he stepped foot in the league. He is known for racking up a ton of yards, leading the league in 2015 and 2018, where he had a ridiculous 1,871 and 1,677 yards respectively. He has gone over 1,300 yards in his last six seasons, making the Pro Bowl in all six of those years. Furthermore, Jones has also been very durable, and if he stays healthy, Jones has a real chance of breaking numerous records and going down as one of the all-time greats.

Stats from profootballreference.com

Writer

-By: Richie Dordas