Wide receivers in the NFL are special. While all the attention goes to the QB, it’s the wide receivers who bring the excitement to the game. They can catch the ball, beat defenders and turn short into long. They’re essential. But in the long history of the NFL, some wide receivers have been far better than others. They weren’t just good, they were game-changers. They changed football, the position of wide receiver and the game in ways few others could.
As you look at the football odds today on ClubSport, whether you’re thinking of the current stars or the legends of the past, it’s hard not to think of the wide receivers who defined the position. This article takes a look at five of the best wide receivers in NFL history—players who not only broke records but also changed the game.
1. Jerry Rice
When you think of wide receivers, Jerry Rice is the first name that comes to mind. His numbers speak for themselves. 20 seasons, 1,549 receptions, 22,895 receiving yards. Both records. No one has matched those numbers, and it’s unlikely anyone will for a long time. But what makes Rice the best isn’t just the numbers—it’s the whole career.
Rice was drafted 16th overall by the San Francisco 49ers in 1985. He showed promise in his rookie season but it was his second season that his star really took off. He developed a chemistry with Hall of Fame quarterback Joe Montana and later Steve Young. That chemistry defined the 49ers offense which became one of the best in NFL history.
Rice was known for his unmatched work ethic. He worked harder in the offseason than most players do during the regular season. His “hill workouts” where he would sprint up steep inclines in the California sun became legendary. His focus and discipline translated to the field where his precise route running and sure hands made him almost unstoppable. Defenders knew the ball was coming his way and yet he still produced at an elite level.
His awards are impressive too. Thirteen time Pro Bowl, 10 time All-Pro and three time Super Bowl champion with the 49ers. His Super Bowl XXIII MVP performance is one of the greatest in NFL history. There may never be another wide receiver who has Rice’s durability, production and leadership. He changed the position.
2. Randy Moss
If Rice was the gold standard of consistency, Randy Moss was the definition of raw talent. Moss had a skill set no one else had: size, speed, and jumping ability. He was a nightmare for defenses. When Moss was on the field, he changed how defenses played. They had to double and sometimes triple team him knowing he could blow the top off the defense at any moment.
Moss entered the league in 1998 after being taken 21st overall by the Minnesota Vikings. From day one he made his presence known. His rookie season is one of the best ever for a wide receiver. He had 1,313 yards and 17 touchdowns. His deep ball ability became a big part of the Vikings offense and his 1998 season helped the team set the NFL record for most points in a season.
Throughout his career Moss’s ability to track and catch deep balls was unmatched. His “Mossed” highlights—when he out-jumped multiple defenders to come down with impossible catches—are still shown daily. Though his career was marred by some off the field controversy his on field dominance was undeniable. He finished with 156 career touchdown receptions second only to Jerry Rice.
One of his best seasons was 2007 when he joined the New England Patriots. That year he and Tom Brady were unstoppable. Moss and Brady led the Patriots to a perfect regular season. Moss caught 23 touchdown passes that year the most in NFL history. He cemented his place as one of the greatest wide receivers of all time.
3. Larry Fitzgerald
Larry Fitzgerald may not have had the athleticism of Randy Moss or Calvin Johnson but what he brought to the field was consistency and reliability. Over his 17 year career with the Arizona Cardinals Fitzgerald became known for his sure hands and near-perfect route running. If the ball was thrown to him you could almost guarantee he’d catch it.
Fitzgerald is second all time in career receptions (1,432) and receiving yards (17,492) behind only Jerry Rice. He never had the flash of some other receivers but he always showed up in big moments. Maybe no moment defined his career more than the 2008 playoff run when he helped lead the Arizona Cardinals to their first ever Super Bowl appearance. During that playoff run Fitzgerald was unstoppable. He had 30 receptions for 546 yards and 7 touchdowns in 4 games.
4. Calvin Johnson
Nicknamed "Megatron," Calvin Johnson was a physical specimen unlike any other receiver in NFL history. Standing at 6’5” and weighing 237 pounds, Johnson combined size, strength, and speed in a way that made him virtually unguardable. Johnson played just nine seasons in the NFL, all with the Detroit Lions, but in that short time, he left an indelible mark on the game.
In 2012, Johnson set the single-season record for receiving yards at 1,964 yards, surpassing Jerry Rice's previous record. He was consistently the focal point of the Lions’ offense, facing double and triple coverage regularly. Despite the attention, Johnson thrived, racking up 83 touchdowns and seven 1,000-yard seasons in his nine-year career.
5. Terrell Owens
Terrell Owens was one of the most controversial yet dominant wide receivers in NFL history. His combination of size, speed, and strength made him nearly impossible to defend one-on-one. Owens finished his career with 1,078 receptions, 15,934 receiving yards, and 153 touchdowns, ranking in the top five in all three categories.
Beyond his physical gifts, Owens was known for his passionate (and sometimes fiery) personality. Though he had contentious relationships with several teams, his on-field production was undeniable. He earned six Pro Bowl selections and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2018.
Conclusion
Each of these five wide receivers brought something different to the NFL. Whether it was Rice's consistency, Moss's big-play ability, Fitzgerald's hands, Johnson's physical dominance, or Owens' competitive fire, they all left a lasting impact on the game. The next time you check the football odds today on platforms like ClubSport, remember that these legends helped shape the game you see today.