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Mike's list of the all-time leading receivers for every single NFL franchise in history. The top receivers for every single active team in NFL history.
The NFL has never valued pass catchers more than they do today. The Cincinnati Bengals signed Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins to massive extensions earlier this offseason.
Chase is the highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL history. Meanwhile, Higgins is the highest-paid No. 2 wide receiver in the league.
Who is the all-time leading receiver for every NFL team? Let’s look at which player leads every franchise in receiving yards.
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AFC East
Buffalo Bills – Andre Reed (13,095)
The Bills have had several talented wide receivers in franchise history. However, Reed is the clear-cut top guy. He played 15 years in Buffalo, leading the franchise in receptions (941), receiving yards, and touchdowns (86).
Miami Dolphins – Mark Duper (8,869)
While Tyreek Hill is arguably the best wide receiver in franchise history, Duper has the most receiving yards in team history. He played with the Dolphins from 1982 to 1992, totaling over 1,300 receiving yards in 1984 and 1986.
New England Patriots – Stanley Morgan (10,352)
Tom Brady has played with four of the top five all-time receiving leaders in New England. While Rob Gronkowski, Wes Welker, Julian Edelman, and Troy Brown had outstanding careers with the Patriots, they all fell at least 2,491 yards short of Morgan’s franchise record.
Happy Birthday Stanley Morgan.#Patriots pic.twitter.com/ALWutGHpPA
— Old Time Football 🏈 (@Ol_TimeFootball) February 17, 2021
New York Jets – Don Maynard (11,732)
Despite having only three years of NFL experience, Garrett Wilson is already 13th all-time in receiving yards in franchise history (3,249). However, he must play for several more years to catch Maynard. He played from 1960 to 1972 in New York.
AFC North
Baltimore Ravens – Derrick Mason (5,777)
Unless the Ravens trade Mark Andrews this offseason, the star tight end should take over the team’s all-time receiving yards leader this upcoming season (5,530). However, Mason leads Baltimore in receiving yards despite playing only six years with the franchise.
Cincinnati Bengals – Chad Johnson (10,783)
Many might already call Ja’Marr Chase the best wide receiver in franchise history. Yet, that honor belongs to Johnson. Ochocinco had 1,353 more receiving yards than any other player in Bengals history (A.J. Green – 9,430).
8️⃣5️⃣ days until #Kickoff2023?
Say less. @ochocinco (via @NFLLegacy) pic.twitter.com/Xuy01RGkkV
— NFL (@NFL) June 14, 2023
Cleveland Browns – Ozzie Newsome (7,980)
While younger football fans recognize Newsome as a member of the Baltimore Ravens front office, he is one of the top tight ends in NFL history and arguably the best Brown not named Jim Brown in franchise history.
Pittsburgh Steelers – Hines Ward (12,083)
The Steelers have had several outstanding wide receivers in franchise history, including John Stallworth. However, only two have had more than 9,000 receiving yards in their Pittsburgh career – Ward and Antonio Brown (11,207).
AFC South
Houston Texans – Andre Johnson (13,597)
Houston is the youngest franchise in the NFL. However, they have had several elite wide receivers, including DeAndre Hopkins and Nico Collins. Yet, Johnson was the clear-cut best in Texans history, totaling more receiving yards than the next two guys on the list.
Indianapolis Colts – Marvin Harrison (14,580)
While maybe his son can overtake him as the best Harrison in NFL history one day, the Hall of Famer was Peyton Manning’s go-to wide receiver. He joined Reggie Wayne (14,345) as the only two players in franchise history with over 10,000 receiving yards.
Jacksonville Jaguars – Jimmy Smith (12,287)
Smith is the clear-cut top wide receiver in franchise history. He played for the Jaguars from 1995 to 2005, totaling 1,392 more receiving yards than the next two guys in team history combined.
Tyreek Hill’s 57.9 @NFLFantasy points in Week 12 were the 2nd-most by a WR since 1996.
Who had the most? @JimmySmithJags in Week 2 of 2000: 15 catches, 291 receiving yards, 3 touchdowns (62.1 fantasy points) pic.twitter.com/4aHabmmxKl
— NFL Legacy (@NFLLegacy) December 2, 2020
Tennessee Titans – Ernest Givins (7,935)
The Titans haven’t had an elite wide receiver since trading away A.J. Brown. However, Givins might be the best wide receiver in franchise history, leading the club all-time in receiving yards and receptions (542).
AFC West
Denver Broncos – Rod Smith (11,389)
Many might be surprised to learn that Shannon Sharpe is only third in franchise history with 8,439 receiving yards. Smith and Demaryius Thomas (9,055) are the only two players in Broncos history to have over 7,000 receiving yards during their time in Denver.
Kansas City Chiefs – Travis Kelce (12,151)
While Kelce considered retirement this offseason, the future Hall of Famer will return in 2025. The star tight end leads the franchise in every receiving category, including receptions (1,004) and touchdowns (77).
History made.
The catch that gave @tkelce the franchise record for most receptions 🏹 pic.twitter.com/76s4Y1HakF
— Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) September 29, 2024
Las Vegas Raiders – Tim Brown (14,734)
Brown played for the Raiders from 1988 through 2003. He is the clear-cut best pass catcher in franchise history, totaling over 5,750 more receiving yards than the next closest Raider.
Los Angeles Chargers – Antonio Gates (11,841)
The superstar tight end will join the Hall of Fame this summer. Gates went from an undrafted free agent to arguably the best tight end in NFL history. While he leads the Chargers in career receiving yards, Keenan Allen isn’t too far behind (10,530).
NFC East
Dallas Cowboys – Jason Witten (12,977)
Despite having Michael Irvin, Drew Pearson, and Dez Bryant wearing the star on their helmet, Witten is the only player in franchise history with over 12,000 receiving yards.
New York Giants – Amani Toomer (9,497)
Odell Beckham Jr. might have the best catch in franchise history. He finished with 5,476 receiving yards in 59 games with the Giants. Meanwhile, Toomer had 4,021 more receiving yards than Beckham and 4,063 more than Frank Gifford.
Philadelphia Eagles – Harold Carmichael (8,978)
While Carmichael leads the franchise in receiving yards and receptions (589), he ranks 18th in team history in yards per game (49.9), barely averaging more than Jordan Matthews (48.5).
Washington Commanders – Art Monk (12,026)
Younger fans believe that Terry McLaurin is the best pass-catcher in franchise history. However, that honor belongs to Monk. He played a massive role in the team winning their three Super Bowls.
Art Monk (1980-1993)
205 Games, 178 Starts
Franchise Record 888 Career Rec & 12,026 Yards
164 Straight Games w/ a Catch
NFL 1980s All-Decade Team
3x Pro Bowl
70 Greatest Redskins (2002)
Hall of Fame (2008)
Redskins Ring of Fame (2000)
3x Super Bowl Champ (XVII, XXII, XXVI)#HTTR pic.twitter.com/EDwQUbQZ59— Every Redskin Ever (@EveryRedskin) February 9, 2025
NFC North
Chicago Bears – Johnny Morris (5,059)
The Bears are one of the oldest franchises in NFL history. However, they have been the worst passing franchise. Morris’s 5,059 receiving yards is the fewest for any franchise leader in the NFL.
Detroit Lions – Calvin Johnson (11,619)
Unfortunately, Johnson only played nine seasons in the league, retiring at the age of 30. Yet, some consider him the top wide receiver in NFL history, not named Jerry Rice.
With that catch Calvin Johnson has topped the 10,000 career yard mark. #OnePride pic.twitter.com/CPOB1QwdPw
— Detroit Lions (@Lions) November 27, 2014
Green Bay Packers – Donald Driver (10,137)
Green Bay has had several elite wide receivers in franchise history, including Sterling Sharpe and Davante Adams. However, Driver is the only Packer in team history with over 9,700 receiving yards.
Minnesota Vikings – Cris Carter (12,383)
Randy Moss might be the best wide receiver in franchise history. However, Carter finished his Vikings career with 3,067 more receiving yards after playing in 75 more games.
NFC South
Atlanta Falcons – Julio Jones (12,896)
Unfortunately, Jones never won a Super Bowl. However, he is the clear-cut top wide receiver in Falcons history and a top-five guy in NFL history.
Carolina Panthers – Steve Smith Sr. (12,197)
While he had a second career with the Baltimore Ravens, Smith will be remembered as a member of the Panthers. He leads the franchise in every receiving category.
New Orleans Saints – Marques Colston (9,759)
Despite being a seventh-round pick in the 2006 NFL Draft, Colston quickly became a star, totaling 1,038 receiving yards as a rookie. He had over 1,000 receiving yards in 60% of the seasons in his career.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Mike Evans (12,684)
Evans is a future Hall of Famer, totaling at least 1,000 receiving yards in all 11 years in the NFL despite playing with several quarterbacks. Furthermore, his 105 career receiving touchdowns are nearly three times as many as the next closest player in franchise history – Chris Godwin (39).
Mike Evans goes 75 yards to get the lead back!
📺: #CARvsTB on CBS
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/xvCjbLUIcN pic.twitter.com/3aOjMTBQzj— NFL (@NFL) December 3, 2023
NFC West
Arizona Cardinals – Larry Fitzgerald (17,492)
While his name is rarely mentioned among the greatest wide receivers in NFL history, Fitzgerald had an outstanding career. Not only did he lead the Cardinals all-time in receiving yards, but the future Hall of Famer has the most receptions (1,432) and receiving touchdowns (121) in franchise history.
Los Angeles Rams – Isaac Bruce (14,109)
Bruce was part of the Greatest Show on Turf offense with Kurt Warner under center. He joins Torry Holt (12,660) as the only two players in franchise history with over 9,800 receiving yards in their career.
San Francisco 49ers – Jerry Rice (19,247)
The greatest wide receiver of all time is one of two players with over 16,000 receiving yards, joining Larry Fitzgerald (17,492). Rice led the NFL in receiving yards in six seasons, totaling 1,500 or more four times.
Jerry Rice comes up with a great catch with Lions CB Kevin Scott right on his tail and takes it to the house for a TD!
Throwback 1993 Week 16 49ers @ Detriot Lions pic.twitter.com/6bkzVXfv5Z
— 49ers Throwback ❤💛 (@49ers_Throwback) June 23, 2023
Seattle Seahawks – Steve Largent (13,089)
Seattle released Tyler Lockett earlier this offseason, with the veteran finishing second in franchise history with 8,594 receiving yards. The only Seahawk with more receiving yards in franchise history is Largent, who played with the team from 1976 through 1989.
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