30+ Of The Best Wide Receivers The NFL Has Ever Had

Published on 01/23/2023
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Don Maynard

Career Stats: 186 games played (159 starts), 633 receptions, 11,834 yards, 88 TD

Don Maynard began his career as a New York Giants draft pick, but played the majority of his career for the New York Titans (later became the Jets). The Giants will always regret letting the Hall of Fame wide receiver go. Maynard participated in 123 games between 1960 and 1968, catching 499 catches for 9,351 yards, and scoring 78 touchdowns. Maynard retired with the most receiving yards in the history of the sport (11,834). Maynard is one of just seven wide receivers whose career started before 1980 (he was picked in ’58) among the 50 wide receivers with at least 10,000 career yards. Throughout the 1960s, Maynard dominated the league and established the bar for elite WR play.

Don Maynard

Don Maynard

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Reggie Wayne

Career Stats: 211 games played (197 starts), 1,070 receptions, 14,345 yards, 82 TD

Reggie Wayne was a highly regarded wide receiver coming out of Miami in 2001, yet he was selected by the Colts in the bottom of the first round, at number 30 overall. Early on, it was simple to ignore Wayne because he was playing with Marvin Harrison. He didn’t start to really take off until his fourth season. Wayne went on a six-year streak of 1,000-yard receiving seasons after catching 77 passes for more over 1,200 yards and 12 touchdowns in 2004. Wayne was able to catch passes from Peyton Manning with picture-perfect technique and remarkable body control, making him a possible Hall of Famer.

Reggie Wayne

Reggie Wayne

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