Ranking the top 25 wide receivers in NFL history…
1. Jerry Rice
Drafted 16th overall by the San Francisco 49ers in the 1985 NFL Draft out of Mississippi Valley State, Rice redefined the wide receiver position, becoming the NFL’s all-time statistical leader through unparalleled work ethic and production.
Over 16 seasons with the 49ers (1985-2000), Rice compiled 1,281 receptions for 19,247 yards and 176 touchdowns, powering three Super Bowl victories (XXIII, XXIV, XXIX).
His 1987 strike-shortened season set a record with 22 touchdowns, earning Offensive Player of the Year. In 1995, he led the league with 122 catches for 1,848 yards and 15 scores. Later with the Oakland Raiders (2001-2004) and briefly the Seattle Seahawks (2004), Rice added two more 1,000-yard seasons and reached Super Bowl XXXVII with the Raiders. He retired in 2005 after a short Broncos stint.
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Rice’s career totals are unmatched: 1,549 receptions, 22,895 yards and 197 touchdowns across 303 games, plus postseason records of 151 catches, 2,245 yards and 22 scores. He earned 13 Pro Bowl selections, 10 first-team All-Pro honors, two Offensive Player of the Year awards and induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2010, plus the NFL 75th and 100th Anniversary All-Time Teams.
Rice’s standout attributes were his endurance, precise hands (honed by catching bricks as a child) and conditioning from grueling hill sprints, allowing him to play at an elite level into his 40s. His playing style was that of a meticulous craftsman: flawless route-running, deceptive speed and relentless blocking, combined with an ability to separate from defenders and make contested catches.
Rice’s consistency yielded 14 seasons over 1,000 yards and a 274-game reception streak. He’s undeniably the GOAT WR.
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Rice is the king, but what does the rest of the NFL All-Time WR Rank look like? Count down from the Top 25, starting here.