All-Time Career NFL Receiving Yards Per Game Leaders

Welcome to the list of All-Time NFL Receiving Yards Per Game Leaders, where we celebrate the most prolific wide receivers in the history of the sport. Discover the elite receivers who have consistently made big plays and racked up impressive yardage, setting the standard for their peers and fans alike.

To no surprise, there are a lot of active players, which reflects the ever-evolving NFL that now favors passing.

#10 – Marvin Harrison/Odell Beckham

All-Time Receiving Yards Per Game: 76.7

Marvin Harrison, a Hall of Famer, played his entire career with the Indianapolis Colts from 1996 to 2008. Known for his incredible route-running ability and sure hands, Harrison was an essential piece of the Colts’ offense alongside quarterback Peyton Manning. Throughout his 13-season career, Harrison accumulated a total of 14,580 receiving yards in 190 games, averaging 76.7 yards per game. His outstanding performance on the field earned him eight Pro Bowl appearances and six All-Pro selections. In 2006, Harrison helped the Colts win Super Bowl XLI, solidifying his place as one of the most accomplished wide receivers in NFL history.

Odell Beckham Jr. entered the NFL in 2014 as a first-round draft pick for the New York Giants. Known for his electrifying athleticism, one-handed catches, and explosive speed, Beckham quickly became a household name. His ability to turn short passes into big gains and his penchant for making highlight-reel plays have made him a fan favorite. He was also able to be a key member to the Super Bowl winning Los Angeles Rams.

#9 – Tyreek Hill

All-Time Receiving Yards Per Game: 77.2

This man has made a name for himself as one of the most dynamic and explosive wide receivers in the NFL. Tyreek Hill is the fastest player in NFL history and the fastest player in the NFL today. You see it every time he touches the football. Hill’s unparalleled speed, agility, and playmaking abilities have helped him consistently produce impressive yardage for his team. Starting off as a return specialist, his game has evolved into a legitimate stud receiver.

#8 – Tory Holt

All-Time Receiving Yards Per Game: 77.4

Torry Holt, an extraordinary wide receiver known for his consistent production and precise route-running. Throughout his 11-year career, Holt’s remarkable abilities and unwavering dedication to the sport have made him a standout figure among NFL wide receivers even by today’s standards.

Drafted in the first round by the St. Louis Rams in 1999, Holt immediately made an impact on the league, becoming an integral part of the Rams’ iconic “Greatest Show on Turf” offense. Alongside quarterback Kurt Warner and fellow wide receiver Isaac Bruce, Holt helped lead the Rams to a Super Bowl XXXIV victory in just his rookie season. His quickness, exceptional hands, and understanding of the game made him a constant threat to opposing defenses.

#7 – DeAndre Hopkins

All-Time Receiving Yards Per Game: 77.9

DeAndre Hopkins is a phenomenal wide receiver celebrated for his exceptional catching ability and consistency on the field. No matter the Quarterback, he has found way to make highlight plays.

Drafted in the first round by the Houston Texans in 2013, Hopkins quickly became a star player, making an impact on the team with his incredible hands, acrobatic catches, and impressive route-running skills. His unwavering focus and ability to make contested catches have been nothing short of amazing.

#6 – Cooper Kupp

All-Time Receiving Yards Per Game: 79.1

Cooper Kupp, a skillful wide receiver known for his precise route-running and reliable hands, has been on a tear in reecnt years. He was a little slow to start his career, but the moment you paired him up with Matthew Stafford he became a record breaking receiver.

Selected in the third round of the 2017 NFL Draft by the Los Angeles Rams, Kupp made his presence felt on the field with his excellent hands, football IQ, and exceptional route-running skills. As a dependable target for his quarterback, Kupp has become an integral part of the Rams’ passing attack, often making clutch catches in critical situations.

#5 – Michael Thomas

All-Time Receiving Yards Per Game: 83.8

Michael Thomas is a highly talented wide receiver known for his remarkable consistency and exceptional catching ability. Thomas has solidified his status as one of the top wide receivers in NFL history through the NFL record books with the most receptions in a single season.

Drafted in the second round by the New Orleans Saints in 2016, Thomas quickly became a standout player, showcasing his strong hands, physical play, and precise route-running abilities. His ability to make contested catches and his unwavering focus have made him a favorite target for the legendary Drew Brees.

People like to discount his ability by calling him “slant boy”, but if it were that simple, defenses would have stopped it. In his prime, Michael Thomas was one of the best Wide Receivers in NFL history.

#4 – Antonio Brown

All-Time Receiving Yards Per Game: 84.2

Antonio Brown is an extraordinarily gifted wide receiver celebrated for his exceptional route-running and versatile skill set. Brown’s combination of speed, agility, and on-field intelligence has made him one of the most dominant and impactful wide receivers in the league. If it weren’t for his “off the field issues”, he would be much more highly regarded by the general public.

Drafted in the sixth round by the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2010, Brown defied expectations and quickly rose to stardom. His ability to create separation from defenders and make difficult catches in tight coverage made him a perennial threat to opposing defenses.

During his time with the Steelers, Brown led the league in receiving yards twice (2014 and 2017) and receptions twice (2014 and 2015). In the 2020 season, Brown signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and played a key role in their Super Bowl LV victory.

#3 – Calvin Johnson

All-Time Receiving Yards Per Game: 86.1

Calvin Johnson is a legendary wide receiver renowned for his incredible physical attributes and unmatched catching ability, Nicknamed “Megatron,” Johnson’s sheer dominance on the field and extraordinary skill set made him one of the most feared and respected wide receivers in the league, even on the lowly Detroit Lions.

Drafted in the first round by the Detroit Lions in 2007, Johnson immediately made an impact with his imposing size, impressive speed, and extraordinary leaping ability. He consistently overpowered defenders and made acrobatic catches, solidifying his reputation as a game-changing talent. Johnson’s on-field presence was a constant concern for opposing defenses, as his ability to make big plays was virtually unmatched.

Throughout his career, Calvin Johnson accumulated 11,619 receiving yards in just 135 games, averaging an impressive 86.1 yards per game. Johnson’s numerous accolades include six Pro Bowl selections and three All-Pro selections. In 2012, he set the single-season record for receiving yards with 1,964 yards, breaking a record held by Jerry Rice.

#2 – Julio Jones

All-Time Receiving Yards Per Game: 87.9

Julio Jones is an extraordinary wide receiver celebrated for his unique combination of size, speed, and exceptional catching ability. Jones’s consistent dominance on the field and his ability to make game-changing plays have earned him a reputation as one of the best Wide Receivers of all-time.

Drafted in the first round by the Atlanta Falcons in 2011, Jones quickly became a standout player, showcasing his remarkable athleticism, incredible hands, and exceptional route-running skills. His ability to make contested catches, break away from defenders, and gain yards after the catch has made him a constant threat to opposing defenses.

Jones’s numerous accolades include seven Pro Bowl selections and two All-Pro selections. In 2015, he led the league in receiving yards with 1,871 yards, which is the second-highest single-season total in NFL history.

#1 – Justin Jefferson

All-Time Receiving Yards Per Game: 96.5

Justin Jefferson, a rising star wide receiver known for his incredible athleticism, reliable hands, and exceptional route-running skills is the all-time leader in receiving yards per game. In a relatively short time, Jefferson has made a significant impact in the league, showcasing his game-changing talent and immense potential.

Drafted in the first round by the Minnesota Vikings in 2020, Jefferson quickly became one of the best wide receievers in the NFL. He did so by having one of the best rookie seasons ever.

Just look at all the previous players on this list. Justin Jefferson is nearly a full ten yards ahead of the number two player on this list. While that can be credited to the pass first NFL we see today, you cannot deny the once in a decade type talent that Justin Jefferson has proved to be.

BOLD indicates active players
+ indicates hall of fame players

In Conclusion

The All-Time Career Leaders in NFL Receiving Yards Per Game showcase a remarkable group of wide receivers, each with their unique skill sets, talents, and dedication to the sport. These players, including Justin Jefferson, Julio Jones, Calvin Johnson, Antonio Brown, Michael Thomas, and others, have left an indelible mark on the league and inspired future generations of athletes.

Their exceptional performances on the field and unwavering commitment to their craft have solidified their status as some of the most dominant and consistent wide receivers in NFL history. As the game continues to evolve, these players serve as shining examples of what it takes to excel at the highest level of professional football, and their legacies will undoubtedly continue to influence the sport for years to come.

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