Most Receiving Yards in NFL History (All-Time Career Leaders)

When it comes to racking up yardage through the air, these are the names that defined eras. From Jerry Rice’s untouchable record to modern-day greats like Julio Jones and Travis Kelce, this is the ultimate list of the most receiving yards in NFL history.

This list includes all-time career receiving yard leaders, sorted by total yards gained. Tight ends and wide receivers alike earned their spot here — whether it was with acrobatic sideline catches or punishing seams across the middle.

Top 10 Most Receiving Yards in NFL History

10. Reggie Wayne (Indianapolis Colts)

14,345 yards • 82 touchdowns • 1,070 receptions

Reggie Wayne never needed flash — just precision. Lining up alongside Marvin Harrison and later becoming the Colts’ WR1, Wayne was the quiet technician who did everything right. His timing with Peyton Manning was surgical, and even after Andrew Luck took over, Wayne was still a reliable weapon well into his 30s. He posted eight 1,000-yard seasons, led the league in receiving yards in 2007, and ranks among the all-time leaders in playoff catches and yards. You don’t hear his name as loudly as others, but he was as consistent and productive as any receiver of his era.

9. Marvin Harrison (Indianapolis Colts)

14,580 yards • 128 touchdowns • 1,102 receptions

Marvin Harrison was surgical — one of the most efficient route runners the NFL has ever seen. His chemistry with Peyton Manning bordered on telepathic, and their connection helped redefine the modern passing game. Harrison had four straight seasons with over 1,400 yards and double-digit touchdowns, including his ridiculous 2002 campaign where he posted 143 catches for 1,722 yards — a single-season reception record that stood for nearly two decades. Underrated because he wasn’t flashy or loud, but the numbers (and film) speak for themselves: Harrison was a machine.

8. Steve Smith Sr. (Carolina Panthers / Baltimore Ravens)

14,731 yards • 81 touchdowns • 1,031 receptions

Undersized? Sure. Underrated? Absolutely not. Steve Smith Sr. played with the heart of a linebacker and the mouth of a WWE villain — and backed it all up. At just 5’9”, he was a menace at every level of the field, combining elite quickness, toughness, and after-the-catch ability. In 2005, he led the league in yards, receptions, and touchdowns, and he kept producing well into his 30s, even after moving on to Baltimore. Few receivers have ever matched Smith’s fire, fearlessness, or big-play impact in the clutch.

7. Tim Brown (Los Angeles/Oakland Raiders / Tampa Bay Buccaneers)

14,934 yards • 100 touchdowns • 1,094 receptions

Tim Brown was as steady and smooth as they come — a walking first down who quietly stacked up elite production for nearly two decades. After a slow start to his career due to injuries and shaky quarterback play, Brown turned into the heartbeat of the Raiders’ offense throughout the ‘90s. He posted nine straight 1,000-yard seasons and retired as the second-leading receiver in NFL history at the time. He never had a Hall of Fame QB throwing him the ball, which makes his numbers even more impressive. Just pure route running, consistency, and reliability.

6. Tony Gonzalez (Kansas City Chiefs / Atlanta Falcons)

15,127 yards • 111 touchdowns • 1,325 receptions

Tony Gonzalez didn’t just redefine the tight end position — he revolutionized it. Before Travis Kelce and Rob Gronkowski became household names, Gonzalez was already stacking up All-Pro seasons like clockwork. He ranks third all-time in receptions and remains the only tight end in the top 10 for career receiving yards. What made him special wasn’t just his production — it was his longevity, durability (never missed more than two games in a season), and unmatched consistency. He wasn’t just great for a tight end. He was one of the greatest pass catchers ever, period.

5. Isaac Bruce (Los Angeles/St. Louis Rams / San Francisco 49ers)

15,208 yards • 91 touchdowns • 1,024 receptions

Isaac Bruce was the original deep threat in the “Greatest Show on Turf,” but his résumé goes far beyond that. Before Kurt Warner took over, Bruce dropped a 1,781-yard season with Tony Banks and Mark Rypien throwing him the ball — that’s how elite his talent was. Smooth routes, elite sideline awareness, and clutch hands made him the go-to guy in one of the most explosive offenses ever. Despite being overshadowed at times by Torry Holt, Bruce retired with more receiving yards than nearly anyone in NFL history and a Super Bowl ring to go with it.

4. Randy Moss (Minnesota Vikings / Oakland Raiders / New England Patriots / Tennessee Titans / San Francisco 49ers)

15,292 yards • 156 touchdowns • 982 receptions

Randy Moss wasn’t just a deep threat — he was the deep threat. Nobody in NFL history made defenders look more helpless downfield. With 4.3 speed in a 6’4” frame and a 40-inch vertical, Moss changed the way defenses were built. His 2007 season with Tom Brady (23 TDs) is still the single-season record, and that’s just the tip of the iceberg. He had ten 1,000-yard seasons, double-digit TDs in nine of them, and made “You got Mossed” part of football culture. He didn’t need to be perfect — he just needed one step. And that was always enough.

3. Terrell Owens (San Francisco 49ers / Philadelphia Eagles / Dallas Cowboys / Buffalo Bills / Cincinnati Bengals)

15,934 yards • 153 touchdowns • 1,078 receptions

T.O. was a walking headline and a walking mismatch. Say what you want about the drama — few receivers in history could take over a game like Terrell Owens. He was too fast for linebackers, too strong for corners, and too fired up to ever be ignored. Owens had nine 1,000-yard seasons, led the league in touchdowns three times, and put up 122 yards on a broken leg in the Super Bowl. His ability to dominate on multiple teams with different QBs — from Steve Young to Tony Romo — makes his nearly 16,000 yards even more impressive. He wasn’t just elite. He was unstoppable.

2. Larry Fitzgerald (Arizona Cardinals)

17,492 yards • 121 touchdowns • 1,432 receptions

No drama. No diva. Just dominance. Larry Fitzgerald was the model of consistency — elite hands, precise routes, and a work ethic that never dipped. He spent his entire career in Arizona, often carrying the offense through quarterback chaos and rebuilds. Despite that, he ranks second all-time in both receiving yards and receptions, with 9 seasons over 1,000 yards and one of the greatest postseason runs ever in 2008. Fitz didn’t just age gracefully — he stayed productive into his mid-30s and redefined what it means to be a true professional at wide receiver.

1. Jerry Rice (San Francisco 49ers / Oakland Raiders / Seattle Seahawks)

22,895 yards • 197 touchdowns • 1,549 receptions

This isn’t a debate — it’s a landslide. Jerry Rice isn’t just the best wide receiver of all time; he might be the greatest football player of all time. His numbers are so outrageous they look fake: nearly 23,000 receiving yards, 197 touchdowns, and 1,549 catches — all records that still stand by a massive margin. He had 14 1,000-yard seasons, led the league in yards six times, and won three Super Bowls while dominating every era he played in. No one was more precise, more prepared, or more productive. Jerry Rice is the standard, and everyone else is chasing ghosts.

Top 10 players in career receiving yards in NFL history, led by Jerry Rice, Larry Fitzgerald, and Terrell Owens.

Full List: All-Time Career Receiving Yard Leaders

Tier list ranking the all-time NFL career receiving yard leaders, with Jerry Rice standing alone in Tier 1 at over 22,000 yards.

FAQ – Most Receiving Yards in NFL History

Who has the most receiving yards in NFL history?

Jerry Rice holds the record for most career receiving yards in NFL history with 22,895 yards. No other player has ever crossed the 18,000-yard mark, making his lead one of the most untouchable records in football.

How many players have over 15,000 career receiving yards?

As of the 2025 NFL season, six players have surpassed 15,000 receiving yards: Jerry Rice, Larry Fitzgerald, Terrell Owens, Randy Moss, Isaac Bruce, and Tony Gonzalez.

Are tight ends included in this list?

Yes — this list includes all players who have caught passes, including tight ends. Notable examples include Tony Gonzalez and Travis Kelce, both of whom rank among the top all-time in receiving yards.

Who is the active leader in career receiving yards?

As of 2025, DeAndre Hopkins and Mike Evans are the active leaders in receiving yards. Both have passed the 12,000-yard mark and continue to climb the all-time list.

Will anyone break Jerry Rice’s record?

Unlikely. Jerry Rice’s 22,895 yards set an almost impossible standard. Even the most productive modern receivers would need over 15 seasons of elite performance to come close — and that’s without missing time to injury or regression.

Conclusion – Career Receiving Yards Leaders

When it comes to career receiving yards, the numbers tell a story of longevity, dominance, and all-time greatness. Jerry Rice sits in a tier of his own — nearly 5,500 yards ahead of second place — and his records continue to withstand the test of time. From Larry Fitzgerald’s consistency to Randy Moss’s explosiveness and Terrell Owens’ raw production, every name on this list helped shape the evolution of the modern passing game.

As the NFL becomes more pass-heavy, we may see more names climb the ranks. But breaking into the top 10 — let alone catching Jerry Rice — remains one of the most difficult feats in all of football.

For more all-time leaderboards, tier lists, and deep dives into NFL history, explore our full rankings here on SOG Sports.

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