Some players don’t just score — they live in the end zone like it’s rent-free. Whether it was Randy Moss mossing three defenders on Thanksgiving, Davante Adams cooking corners off the line, or Rob Gronkowski trucking his way through safeties, every NFL season has a pass-catcher who simply owned the red zone. This post breaks down the top dog in receiving touchdowns every single year, showing who led the league and how they did it — from the legends of the ’90s to today’s fantasy football saviors.
Most Receiving Touchdowns Each Season (1995–2024)
2024
Ja’Marr Chase (17 TDs, Cincinnati Bengals)
With Joe Burrow back healthy, Chase looked like a cheat code in the red zone — crisp routes, circus catches, and “How did he do that?” plays weekly. Defenses knew it was coming and still couldn’t stop it.
2023
Mike Evans (13 TDs, Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
A decade in, and Evans still dunks on corners like it’s 2016. He turned back the clock and led the league again — because of course he did.
Tyreek Hill (13 TDs, Miami Dolphins)
When Cheetah wasn’t outrunning angles, he was torching secondaries for six. Pure speed + elite ball tracking = death sentence for DBs.
2022
Davante Adams (14 TDs, Las Vegas Raiders)
Even with the QB shuffle, Adams did what he always does: dominate. His footwork in the red zone should be shown in art museums.
2021
Cooper Kupp (16 TDs, Los Angeles Rams)
Triple Crown Kupp was on another level — always open, always reliable, and basically Stafford’s therapist during the Rams’ Super Bowl run.
2020
Davante Adams (18 TDs, Green Bay Packers)
This was peak Adams. He toyed with corners off the line and had Rodgers looking like he was playing catch with a telepath.
2019
Kenny Golladay (11 TDs, Detroit Lions)
“Babytron” had his breakout moment, stacking jump balls like it was a hobby. A TD title in Detroit? That alone deserves a bonus.
2018
Antonio Brown (15 TDs, Pittsburgh Steelers)
One of the last chapters of prime AB, and he went out with fireworks. Say what you want off the field, but on it — he cooked.
2017
DeAndre Hopkins (13 TDs, Houston Texans)
With a rotating cast of QBs throwing to him, Nuk still put up elite numbers. Glue hands, body control, and total disrespect for defenders.
2016
Jordy Nelson (14 TDs, Green Bay Packers)
Fresh off ACL surgery, Jordy came back like nothing happened — slicing up defenses with Rodgers in full rhythm. The silent assassin of the red zone.
2015
Doug Baldwin (14 TDs, Seattle Seahawks)
From slot guy to end-zone machine, Baldwin caught fire in the second half of the year. Russ cooked, and Doug did the serving.
Brandon Marshall (14 TDs, New York Jets)
Marshall made Ryan Fitzpatrick look like prime Brett Favre. Vintage body control and toughness — and somehow made Jets football fun again.
Allen Robinson (14 TDs, Jacksonville Jaguars)
On a chaotic Jags team, ARob was the calm. He posterized corners weekly and gave Blake Bortles a Pro Bowl statline.
2024
Ja’Marr Chase (17 TDs, Cincinnati Bengals)
With Joe Burrow back healthy, Chase looked like a cheat code in the red zone — crisp routes, circus catches, and “How did he do that?” plays weekly. Defenses knew it was coming and still couldn’t stop it.
2023
Mike Evans (13 TDs, Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
A decade in, and Evans still dunks on corners like it’s 2016. He turned back the clock and led the league again — because of course he did.
Tyreek Hill (13 TDs, Miami Dolphins)
When Cheetah wasn’t outrunning angles, he was torching secondaries for six. Pure speed + elite ball tracking = death sentence for DBs.
2022
Davante Adams (14 TDs, Las Vegas Raiders)
Even with the QB shuffle, Adams did what he always does: dominate. His footwork in the red zone should be shown in art museums.
2021
Cooper Kupp (16 TDs, Los Angeles Rams)
Triple Crown Kupp was on another level — always open, always reliable, and basically Stafford’s therapist during the Rams’ Super Bowl run.
2020
Davante Adams (18 TDs, Green Bay Packers)
This was peak Adams. He toyed with corners off the line and had Rodgers looking like he was playing catch with a telepath.
2019
Kenny Golladay (11 TDs, Detroit Lions)
“Babytron” had his breakout moment, stacking jump balls like it was a hobby. A TD title in Detroit? That alone deserves a bonus.
2018
Antonio Brown (15 TDs, Pittsburgh Steelers)
One of the last chapters of prime AB, and he went out with fireworks. Say what you want off the field, but on it — he cooked.
2017
DeAndre Hopkins (13 TDs, Houston Texans)
With a rotating cast of QBs throwing to him, Nuk still put up elite numbers. Glue hands, body control, and total disrespect for defenders.
2016
Jordy Nelson (14 TDs, Green Bay Packers)
Fresh off ACL surgery, Jordy came back like nothing happened — slicing up defenses with Rodgers in full rhythm. The silent assassin of the red zone.
2015
Doug Baldwin (14 TDs, Seattle Seahawks)
From slot guy to end-zone machine, Baldwin caught fire in the second half of the year. Russ cooked, and Doug did the serving.
Brandon Marshall (14 TDs, New York Jets)
Marshall made Ryan Fitzpatrick look like prime Brett Favre. Vintage body control and toughness — and somehow made Jets football fun again.
Allen Robinson (14 TDs, Jacksonville Jaguars)
On a chaotic Jags team, ARob was the calm. He posterized corners weekly and gave Blake Bortles a Pro Bowl statline.
2014
Dez Bryant (16 TDs, Dallas Cowboys)
Dez caught it all in 2014 — including that infamous non-catch. But before the playoffs, he was cooking DBs and flexing on every fade route.
2013
Jimmy Graham (16 TDs, New Orleans Saints)
At his peak, Graham was basically a power forward in shoulder pads. Drew Brees fed him like a top fantasy pick — and he delivered like Amazon Prime.
2012
James Jones (14 TDs, Green Bay Packers)
Nobody saw this coming — not even Packers fans. But Jones turned into Rodgers’ favorite red-zone target and cashed in every time.
2011
Rob Gronkowski (17 TDs, New England Patriots)
This was the year Gronk became a household name. Spiking, stiff-arming, and steamrolling defenders like a fridge on wheels — all while partying after wins.
2010
Dwayne Bowe (15 TDs, Kansas City Chiefs)
Bowe quietly went nuclear in 2010. Matt Cassel threw him jump balls, and he just kept coming down with them like it was his birthright.
2009
Vernon Davis (13 TDs, San Francisco 49ers)
The breakout was real — Vernon finally put it all together. Pure speed for a tight end and a nightmare in the seam.
Larry Fitzgerald (13 TDs, Arizona Cardinals)
Larry Legend kept torching secondaries even after Kurt Warner. Silky hands, perfect routes — and TDs that felt like clockwork.
Randy Moss (13 TDs, New England Patriots)
Even at 32, Moss still had that deep-ball magic. When Brady let it fly, defenses knew what was coming — and still failed.
2008
Larry Fitzgerald (12 TDs, Arizona Cardinals)
The Cards made their Super Bowl run, and Fitz was unreal. Clutch catches, sideline tiptoes, and a playoff tear that still gives DCs nightmares.
Calvin Johnson (12 TDs, Detroit Lions)
Second year in and already uncoverable. Megatron didn’t just catch passes — he devoured them.
2007
Randy Moss (23 TDs, New England Patriots)
The greatest receiving TD season of all time. Brady + Moss = weekly fireworks, broken records, and cornerbacks questioning their careers.
2006
Terrell Owens (13 TDs, Dallas Cowboys)
Say what you want — T.O. still balled out. He led the league despite drops, drama, and doing sit-ups in the driveway.
2005
Marvin Harrison (12 TDs, Indianapolis Colts)
Old reliable still had gas in the tank. Peyton’s favorite target ran routes so clean they should’ve come with a whistle.
Steve Smith Sr. (12 TDs, Carolina Panthers)
Fresh off a season-ending injury the year before, Smith returned with a vengeance. Small frame, big plays, and zero apologies.
2004
Muhsin Muhammad (16 TDs, Carolina Panthers)
With Steve Smith out, Muhammad stepped up and wrecked shop. Big body, soft hands, and pure red-zone domination.
2003
Randy Moss (17 TDs, Minnesota Vikings)
This was vintage Moss: deep bombs, highlight grabs, and defenders left spinning like they paid to be there.
2002
Terrell Owens (13 TDs, San Francisco 49ers)
TO was pure chaos in motion — stiff arms, yaks, and celebrations ready. He didn’t just score, he performed.
2001
Terrell Owens (16 TDs, San Francisco 49ers)
He wasn’t just dominant — he was loud about it. Owens took over games and didn’t care who watched.
2000
Randy Moss (15 TDs, Minnesota Vikings)
Moss in his prime made corners look like junior varsity. Another season, another year of jumping over entire secondaries.
1999
Cris Carter (13 TDs, Minnesota Vikings)
Carter just caught touchdowns. Precision routes, elite timing, and the best toe-tap in the business.
1998
Randy Moss (17 TDs, Minnesota Vikings)
As a rookie. Let that sink in. He showed up, ran past everyone, and changed the deep game forever.
1997
Cris Carter (13 TDs, Minnesota Vikings)
While Moss was still in college, Carter was schooling corners. Another clinic in consistency and red-zone mastery.
1996
Michael Jackson (14 TDs, Baltimore Ravens)
Yes, that’s his real name — and yes, he was that good. In Year 1 of Ravens football, he moonwalked into the end zone 14 times.
Tony Martin (14 TDs, San Diego Chargers)
Martin quietly posted big numbers in a chaotic offense. Deep threat with hands like glue.
1995
Cris Carter (17 TDs, Minnesota Vikings)
Peak Carter. Nobody worked the sideline better, and every catch felt like it should’ve come with a slow-mo replay.
Carl Pickens (17 TDs, Cincinnati Bengals)
In a lost Bengals season, Pickens was the bright spot — skying for fades and stacking TDs like it was fantasy playoffs every week
All-Time Leaders in Receiving TDs Per Season
Want to see who truly dominated the end zone across every era? This chart breaks down the NFL’s leading receiver in touchdown catches for every single season — from Don Hutson in the leather helmet days to Ja’Marr Chase lighting up defenses in 2024. It’s a full look at the most unstoppable scoring threats in league history.
| Season | Player | TDs | Team |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024–25 | Ja'Marr Chase | 17 | Cincinnati Bengals |
| 2023–24 | Mike Evans | 13 | Tampa Bay Buccaneers |
| 2023–24 | Tyreek Hill | 13 | Miami Dolphins |
| 2022–23 | Davante Adams | 14 | Las Vegas Raiders |
| 2021–22 | Cooper Kupp | 16 | Los Angeles Rams |
| 2020–21 | Davante Adams | 18 | Green Bay Packers |
| 2019–20 | Kenny Golladay | 11 | Detroit Lions |
| 2018–19 | Antonio Brown | 15 | Pittsburgh Steelers |
| 2017–18 | DeAndre Hopkins | 13 | Houston Texans |
| 2016–17 | Jordy Nelson | 14 | Green Bay Packers |
| 2015–16 | Doug Baldwin | 14 | Seattle Seahawks |
| 2015–16 | Brandon Marshall | 14 | New York Jets |
| 2015–16 | Allen Robinson | 14 | Jacksonville Jaguars |
| 2014–15 | Dez Bryant | 16 | Dallas Cowboys |
| 2013–14 | Jimmy Graham | 16 | New Orleans Saints |
| 2012–13 | James Jones | 14 | Green Bay Packers |
| 2011–12 | Rob Gronkowski | 17 | New England Patriots |
| 2010–11 | Dwayne Bowe | 15 | Kansas City Chiefs |
| 2009–10 | Vernon Davis | 13 | San Francisco 49ers |
| 2009–10 | Larry Fitzgerald | 13 | Arizona Cardinals |
| 2009–10 | Randy Moss | 13 | New England Patriots |
| 2008–09 | Larry Fitzgerald | 12 | Arizona Cardinals |
| 2008–09 | Calvin Johnson | 12 | Detroit Lions |
| 2007–08 | Randy Moss | 23 | New England Patriots |
| 2006–07 | Terrell Owens | 13 | Dallas Cowboys |
| 2005–06 | Marvin Harrison | 12 | Indianapolis Colts |
| 2005–06 | Steve Smith Sr. | 12 | Carolina Panthers |
| 2004–05 | Muhsin Muhammad | 16 | Carolina Panthers |
| 2003–04 | Randy Moss | 17 | Minnesota Vikings |
| 2002–03 | Terrell Owens | 13 | San Francisco 49ers |
| 2001–02 | Terrell Owens | 16 | San Francisco 49ers |
| 2000–01 | Randy Moss | 15 | Minnesota Vikings |
| 1999–00 | Cris Carter | 13 | Minnesota Vikings |
| 1998–99 | Randy Moss | 17 | Minnesota Vikings |
| 1997–98 | Cris Carter | 13 | Minnesota Vikings |
| 1996–97 | Michael Jackson | 14 | Baltimore Ravens |
| 1996–97 | Tony Martin | 14 | San Diego Chargers |
| 1995–96 | Cris Carter | 17 | Minnesota Vikings |
| 1995–96 | Carl Pickens | 17 | Cincinnati Bengals |
| 1994–95 | Sterling Sharpe | 18 | Green Bay Packers |
| 1993–94 | Jerry Rice | 15 | San Francisco 49ers |
| 1993–94 | Andre Rison | 15 | Atlanta Falcons |
| 1992–93 | Sterling Sharpe | 13 | Green Bay Packers |
| 1991–92 | Jerry Rice | 14 | San Francisco 49ers |
| 1990–91 | Jerry Rice | 13 | San Francisco 49ers |
| 1989–90 | Jerry Rice | 17 | San Francisco 49ers |
| 1988–89 | Mark Clayton | 14 | Miami Dolphins |
| 1987–88 | Jerry Rice | 22 | San Francisco 49ers |
| 1986–87 | Jerry Rice | 15 | San Francisco 49ers |
| 1985–86 | Daryl Turner | 13 | Seattle Seahawks |
| Season | Player | TDs | Team |
| 1984–85 | Mark Clayton | 18 | Miami Dolphins |
| 1983–84 | Roy Green | 14 | St. Louis Cardinals |
| 1982–83 | Wes Chandler | 9 | San Diego Chargers |
| 1981–82 | Alfred Jenkins | 13 | Atlanta Falcons |
| 1981–82 | Steve Watson | 13 | Denver Broncos |
| 1980–81 | John Jefferson | 13 | San Diego Chargers |
| 1979–80 | Stanley Morgan | 12 | New England Patriots |
| 1978–79 | John Jefferson | 13 | San Diego Chargers |
| 1977–78 | Nat Moore | 12 | Miami Dolphins |
| 1976–77 | Cliff Branch | 12 | Las Vegas Raiders |
| 1975–76 | Mel Gray | 11 | St. Louis Cardinals |
| 1975–76 | Lynn Swann | 11 | Pittsburgh Steelers |
| 1974–75 | Cliff Branch | 13 | Las Vegas Raiders |
| 1973–74 | Harold Jackson | 13 | Los Angeles Rams |
| 1972–73 | Gene Washington | 12 | San Francisco 49ers |
| 1971–72 | Paul Warfield | 11 | Miami Dolphins |
| 1970–71 | Dick Gordon | 13 | Chicago Bears |
| 1969–70 | Warren Wells | 14 | Las Vegas Raiders |
| 1969–70 | Lance Rentzel | 12 | Dallas Cowboys |
| 1968–69 | Paul Warfield | 12 | Cleveland Browns |
| 1968–69 | Karl Noonan | 11 | Miami Dolphins |
| 1968–69 | Warren Wells | 11 | Las Vegas Raiders |
| 1967–68 | Homer Jones | 13 | New York Giants |
| 1967–68 | Al Denson | 11 | Denver Broncos |
| 1967–68 | Otis Taylor | 11 | Kansas City Chiefs |
| 1966–67 | Lance Alworth | 13 | San Diego Chargers |
| 1966–67 | Bob Hayes | 13 | Dallas Cowboys |
| 1965–66 | Lance Alworth | 14 | San Diego Chargers |
| 1965–66 | Don Maynard | 14 | New York Jets |
| 1965–66 | Bob Hayes | 12 | Dallas Cowboys |
| 1965–66 | Dave Parks | 12 | San Francisco 49ers |
| 1964–65 | Lance Alworth | 13 | San Diego Chargers |
| 1964–65 | Bobby Mitchell | 10 | Washington Commanders |
| 1964–65 | Johnny Morris | 10 | Chicago Bears |
| 1964–65 | Bucky Pope | 10 | Los Angeles Rams |
| 1963–64 | Art Powell | 16 | Las Vegas Raiders |
| 1963–64 | Terry Barr | 13 | Detroit Lions |
| 1963–64 | Gary Collins | 13 | Cleveland Browns |
| 1962–63 | Frank Clarke | 14 | Dallas Cowboys |
| 1962–63 | Chris Burford | 12 | Dallas Texans |
| 1961–62 | Bill Groman | 17 | Houston Oilers |
| 1961–62 | Tommy McDonald | 13 | Philadelphia Eagles |
| 1960–61 | Sonny Randle | 15 | St. Louis Cardinals |
| 1960–61 | Art Powell | 14 | New York Titans |
| 1959–60 | Raymond Berry | 14 | Baltimore Colts |
| 1958–59 | Raymond Berry | 9 | Baltimore Colts |
| 1958–59 | Tommy McDonald | 9 | Philadelphia Eagles |
| 1957–58 | Jim Mutscheller | 8 | Baltimore Colts |
| 1956–57 | Billy Howton | 12 | Green Bay Packers |
| 1955–56 | Harlon Hill | 9 | Chicago Bears |
| 1954–55 | Harlon Hill | 12 | Chicago Bears |
| 1953–54 | Pete Pihos | 10 | Philadelphia Eagles |
| 1953–54 | Billy Wilson | 10 | San Francisco 49ers |
| 1952–53 | Cloyce Box | 15 | Detroit Lions |
| 1951–52 | Elroy Hirsch | 17 | Los Angeles Rams |
| 1950–51 | Bob Shaw | 12 | Chicago Cardinals |
| 1949–50 | Alyn Beals | 12 | San Francisco 49ers |
| 1949–50 | Tom Fears | 9 | Los Angeles Rams |
| 1949–50 | Ken Kavanaugh | 9 | Chicago Bears |
| 1949–50 | Hugh Taylor | 9 | Washington Commanders |
| 1948–49 | Alyn Beals | 14 | San Francisco 49ers |
| 1948–49 | Mal Kutner | 14 | Chicago Cardinals |
| 1947–48 | Ken Kavanaugh | 13 | Chicago Bears |
| 1947–48 | Alyn Beals | 10 | San Francisco 49ers |
| 1946–47 | Alyn Beals | 10 | San Francisco 49ers |
| 1946–47 | Billy Dewell | 7 | Chicago Cardinals |
| 1945–46 | Frank Liebel | 10 | New York Giants |
| 1944–45 | Don Hutson | 9 | Green Bay Packers |
| 1943–44 | Don Hutson | 11 | Green Bay Packers |
| 1942–43 | Don Hutson | 17 | Green Bay Packers |
| 1941–42 | Don Hutson | 10 | Green Bay Packers |
| 1940–41 | Don Hutson | 7 | Green Bay Packers |
| 1939–40 | Jim Benton | 7 | Los Angeles Rams |
| 1938–39 | Don Hutson | 9 | Green Bay Packers |
| 1937–38 | Don Hutson | 7 | Green Bay Packers |
| 1936–37 | Don Hutson | 8 | Green Bay Packers |
| 1935–36 | Don Hutson | 6 | Green Bay Packers |
| 1935–36 | Bill Karr | 6 | Chicago Bears |
| 1934–35 | Bill Hewitt | 5 | Chicago Bears |
| 1933–34 | Johnny Blood | 3 | Green Bay Packers |
| 1933–34 | Dale Burnett | 3 | New York Giants |
| 1933–34 | Ernie Caddel | 3 | Portsmouth Spartans |
| 1933–34 | Luke Johnsos | 3 | Chicago Bears |
| 1933–34 | Bill Karr | 3 | Chicago Bears |
| 1933–34 | Shipwreck Kelly | 3 | Brooklyn Dodgers |
| 1933–34 | Kink Richards | 3 | New York Giants |
| 1932–33 | Ray Flaherty | 5 | New York Giants |
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From Don Hutson’s early domination to Jerry Rice’s reign and Randy Moss’s record-breaking years, NFL history has seen some truly legendary seasons through the air. These year-by-year receiving touchdown leaders didn’t just find the end zone — they lived in it. Whether it was a 17-touchdown breakout or a quietly consistent campaign, each of these players stamped their mark on the scoreboard and the stat sheets.
