New England Patriots all-time receiving touchdown leaders starts with Rob Gronkowski, the most dominant touchdown-catching weapon the franchise has ever had. The Patriots have had plenty of reliable pass catchers, but nobody finished drives through the air like Gronk.
Stanley Morgan brought the deep-threat production before the modern era. Randy Moss delivered one of the greatest scoring peaks in NFL history. Ben Coates was the tight end standard before Gronkowski. Gino Cappelletti, Jim Colclough, Irving Fryar, Wes Welker, Julian Edelman and Troy Brown all helped build different chapters of New England’s receiving history.
This ranking uses regular-season receiving touchdowns with the New England Patriots only. It does not include playoff touchdowns, preseason touchdowns or receiving touchdowns from other NFL teams.
Table of Contents
- How This Patriots Receiving TDs List Works
- 1. Rob Gronkowski — 79 Receiving TDs
- 2. Stanley Morgan — 67 Receiving TDs
- 3. Randy Moss — 50 Receiving TDs
- 3. Ben Coates — 50 Receiving TDs
- 5. Gino Cappelletti — 42 Receiving TDs
- 6. Jim Colclough — 39 Receiving TDs
- 7. Irving Fryar — 38 Receiving TDs
- 8. Wes Welker — 37 Receiving TDs
- 9. Julian Edelman — 36 Receiving TDs
- 10. Troy Brown — 31 Receiving TDs
- Biggest Takeaways From the Patriots Receiving TDs List
- Full Ranking Table
- FAQ
- Conclusion
- More Patriots and NFL Rankings
How This Patriots Receiving TDs List Works
This list ranks the New England Patriots career receiving touchdown leaders by regular-season receiving TDs recorded with the Patriots franchise. That includes the Boston Patriots era, but it does not include touchdowns a player caught for another NFL team.
That matters for players like Randy Moss, Rob Gronkowski and Irving Fryar, who also had important NFL chapters outside New England. This article only counts what they did as Patriots.
Receiving touchdowns are also role-dependent. Some players were red-zone monsters. Some were deep threats. Some were volume slot receivers. Some were tight ends who dominated mismatches. The stat is simple, but the way each player got there tells a different story.
For the yardage version of this franchise leaderboard, check out the Patriots all-time receiving yards leaders.
1. Rob Gronkowski — 79 Receiving TDs
Patriots Stats & Accolades: 79 receiving touchdowns, 7,861 receiving yards, 521 receptions, 15.1 yards per catch, 115 games with New England.
Rob Gronkowski is the New England Patriots’ all-time receiving touchdowns leader. His 79 receiving TDs are the highest total in franchise history, and they capture how unstoppable he was when healthy.
Gronkowski was not just a tight end who caught short red-zone passes. He could beat linebackers, overpower safeties, run through tackles and stretch the field like a wide receiver. That made him one of Tom Brady’s most dangerous weapons.
What makes the number even more impressive is that injuries cost him time. Even with missed games, Gronkowski still finished well ahead of every other Patriots pass catcher in receiving touchdowns. He also belongs near the top of any best tight ends of all-time debate.
2. Stanley Morgan — 67 Receiving TDs
Patriots Stats & Accolades: 67 receiving touchdowns, 10,352 receiving yards, 534 receptions, 19.4 yards per catch, 180 games with New England.
Stanley Morgan ranks second in Patriots career receiving touchdowns and first in franchise receiving yards. That combination makes him one of the greatest receivers in New England history.
Morgan was a true vertical threat. His 19.4 yards per catch show that he was not just catching high-percentage passes; he was changing games with explosive plays down the field.
He played before the modern passing boom, which makes his production even more impressive. Morgan’s receiving touchdown total stood as the franchise standard before Gronkowski passed it, and his Patriots résumé also gives him a real case among the best wide receivers of all-time.
3. Randy Moss — 50 Receiving TDs
Patriots Stats & Accolades: 50 receiving touchdowns, 3,904 receiving yards, 259 receptions, 15.1 yards per catch, 52 games with New England.
Randy Moss ranks tied for third in Patriots career receiving touchdowns, and his New England peak was one of the greatest scoring stretches by any receiver in NFL history.
Moss arrived in 2007 and immediately changed the Patriots offense. His deep speed, catch radius and red-zone ability gave Tom Brady a weapon unlike anyone else he had thrown to in New England.
Even though Moss played only 52 regular-season games for the Patriots, he still caught 50 touchdowns. That touchdown rate is ridiculous, and it is why his short Patriots run still feels legendary.
3. Ben Coates — 50 Receiving TDs
Patriots Stats & Accolades: 50 receiving touchdowns, 5,471 receiving yards, 490 receptions, 11.2 yards per catch, 142 games with New England.
Ben Coates is tied with Randy Moss for third in Patriots career receiving touchdowns. Before Rob Gronkowski became the franchise’s tight end king, Coates was the standard.
Coates was a major weapon for Drew Bledsoe in the 1990s. He was physical, reliable and especially valuable in scoring areas, where his size and hands made him difficult to defend.
His 50 touchdown catches show how important he was to the Patriots offense. Coates was not just a good tight end; he was one of the best pass catchers in franchise history.
5. Gino Cappelletti — 42 Receiving TDs
Patriots Stats & Accolades: 42 receiving touchdowns, 4,589 receiving yards, 292 receptions, 15.7 yards per catch, 153 games with the Patriots.
Gino Cappelletti ranks fifth in Patriots career receiving touchdowns and remains one of the original legends of the franchise.
Cappelletti’s career was unique because he was also a kicker, but his receiving production was serious. He gave the Boston Patriots a dependable scoring threat during the team’s early years.
His 42 receiving touchdowns still keep him high on the franchise leaderboard, which says a lot about how important he was before the Patriots became a modern NFL power.
6. Jim Colclough — 39 Receiving TDs
Patriots Stats & Accolades: 39 receiving touchdowns, 5,001 receiving yards, 283 receptions, 17.7 yards per catch, 126 games with the Patriots.
Jim Colclough ranks sixth in Patriots career receiving touchdowns. He was one of the franchise’s early big-play receivers and a major part of the Boston Patriots passing game.
Colclough’s 17.7 yards per catch show how dangerous he was downfield. Like Stanley Morgan later, he produced a lot of value through explosive plays rather than just short receptions.
Modern fans may not mention him often, but his numbers still hold up. Colclough remains top 10 in both Patriots receiving yards and receiving touchdowns.
7. Irving Fryar — 38 Receiving TDs
Patriots Stats & Accolades: 38 receiving touchdowns, 5,726 receiving yards, 363 receptions, 15.8 yards per catch, 129 games with New England.
Irving Fryar ranks seventh in Patriots career receiving touchdowns. He was one of the most talented receivers New England had before the Brady era.
Fryar had speed, athleticism and big-play ability. His 15.8 yards per catch show that he could stretch the field and create explosive gains.
His overall NFL career continued after leaving New England, but his Patriots production alone was strong enough to keep him near the top of the franchise receiving lists.
8. Wes Welker — 37 Receiving TDs
Patriots Stats & Accolades: 37 receiving touchdowns, 7,459 receiving yards, 672 receptions, 11.1 yards per catch, Patriots all-time receptions leader.
Wes Welker ranks eighth in Patriots career receiving touchdowns and first in franchise receptions. His game was built on timing, quickness and trust.
Welker was not a classic outside touchdown receiver, but he became one of the most productive slot receivers in NFL history. He kept drives alive, dominated underneath routes and gave Brady a reliable target on key downs.
His touchdown total is strong, but his bigger legacy is volume and consistency. Welker changed what the slot receiver role could look like in New England.
9. Julian Edelman — 36 Receiving TDs
Patriots Stats & Accolades: 36 receiving touchdowns, 6,822 receiving yards, 620 receptions, 11.0 yards per catch, three Super Bowl wins with New England.
Julian Edelman ranks ninth in Patriots career receiving touchdowns. His regular-season résumé is strong, but his Patriots legacy became even bigger in the postseason.
Edelman was tough, fearless and trusted in the biggest moments. He was not the biggest receiver, but he played through contact and consistently made difficult catches over the middle.
His 36 regular-season receiving touchdowns place him inside the top 10, while his playoff moments make him one of the most beloved Patriots receivers ever.
10. Troy Brown — 31 Receiving TDs
Patriots Stats & Accolades: 31 receiving touchdowns, 6,366 receiving yards, 557 receptions, 11.4 yards per catch, 192 games with New England.
Troy Brown rounds out the top 10 in Patriots career receiving touchdowns. He was one of the ultimate Patriot players: reliable, smart, versatile and willing to do anything the team needed.
Brown was a receiver, returner and even emergency defensive back. As a pass catcher, he became one of Brady’s trusted early targets during the first chapter of the dynasty.
His touchdown total is only one piece of his value. Brown’s overall importance to New England football goes far beyond the stat sheet.
Biggest Takeaways From the Patriots Receiving TDs List
The biggest takeaway is that Rob Gronkowski’s scoring record is clear. His 79 receiving touchdowns give him a strong lead over Stanley Morgan and every other Patriots pass catcher.
The second takeaway is Randy Moss’ efficiency. He played only 52 regular-season games for New England but still caught 50 touchdown passes, tying Ben Coates for third in franchise history.
The third takeaway is how many different types of receivers appear here. The list includes deep threats, slot receivers, tight ends, old-school AFL stars and dynasty-era role players.
Full Ranking Table: New England Patriots All-Time Receiving Touchdown Leaders
Note: This table is sorted by regular-season receiving touchdowns with the Patriots only. It includes Boston Patriots and New England Patriots franchise stats, but not playoff receiving touchdowns or touchdowns from other teams.
| Rank | Player | From | To | Game | Receiving TDs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rob Gronkowski | 2010 | 2019 | 115 | 79 |
| 2 | Stanley Morgan | 1977 | 1989 | 180 | 67 |
| 3 | Randy Moss | 2007 | 2010 | 52 | 50 |
| 3 | Ben Coates | 1991 | 1999 | 142 | 50 |
| 5 | Gino Cappelletti | 1960 | 1970 | 153 | 42 |
| 6 | Jim Colclough | 1960 | 1968 | 126 | 39 |
| 7 | Irving Fryar | 1984 | 1992 | 129 | 38 |
| 8 | Wes Welker | 2007 | 2012 | 93 | 37 |
| 9 | Julian Edelman | 2009 | 2021 | 137 | 36 |
| 8 | Wes Welker | 2007 | 2012 | 93 | 37 |
| 9 | Julian Edelman | 2009 | 2021 | 137 | 36 |
| 10 | Troy Brown | 1993 | 2007 | 192 | 31 |
| 11 | Russ Francis | 1975 | 1988 | 92 | 28 |
| 12 | Hunter Henry | 2021 | 2025 | 81 | 26 |
| 12 | Larry Garron | 1960 | 1968 | 99 | 26 |
| 14 | James White | 2014 | 2022 | 95 | 25 |
| 15 | Deion Branch | 2002 | 2012 | 89 | 24 |
| 16 | Randy Vataha | 1971 | 1976 | 80 | 23 |
| 17 | Terry Glenn | 1996 | 2001 | 68 | 22 |
| 18 | Benjamin Watson | 2004 | 2019 | 81 | 20 |
| 18 | Art Graham | 1963 | 1968 | 75 | 20 |
| 20 | Aaron Hernandez | 2010 | 2013 | 38 | 18 |
| 20 | Harold Jackson | 1978 | 1987 | 64 | 18 |
| 22 | Daniel Graham | 2002 | 2006 | 63 | 17 |
| 22 | Jim Whalen | 1965 | 1969 | 70 | 17 |
| 24 | David Patten | 2001 | 2010 | 54 | 16 |
| 24 | Cedric Jones | 1982 | 1990 | 120 | 16 |
FAQ: Most Receiving TDs in New England Patriots History
Who has the most receiving TDs in New England Patriots history?
Rob Gronkowski has the most receiving touchdowns in New England Patriots history with 79 regular-season receiving TDs.
Who is second in Patriots career receiving touchdowns?
Stanley Morgan is second in Patriots career receiving touchdowns with 67 receiving TDs.
Who is tied for third in New England Patriots career receiving TDs?
Randy Moss and Ben Coates are tied for third with 50 receiving touchdowns each.
Who has the most receiving yards in Patriots history?
Stanley Morgan has the most receiving yards in Patriots history with 10,352 receiving yards.
Who has the most receptions in Patriots history?
Wes Welker has the most receptions in Patriots history with 672 catches.
Are playoff receiving touchdowns included in this Patriots ranking?
No. This ranking uses regular-season receiving touchdowns with the Patriots only. Playoff touchdowns, preseason touchdowns and receiving touchdowns from other teams are not included.
Conclusion: Rob Gronkowski Leads the Patriots Receiving TD List
Rob Gronkowski remains the New England Patriots career receiving touchdowns leader, and his 79 touchdowns show why he is one of the greatest tight ends in NFL history. He combined size, speed, physicality and chemistry with Tom Brady in a way very few defenses could handle.
Behind him, Stanley Morgan, Randy Moss and Ben Coates give the list serious star power. Morgan was the franchise’s greatest deep threat. Moss had the most explosive touchdown peak. Coates was the tight end standard before Gronkowski arrived.
The Patriots have built their passing-game history through many different styles, but when it comes to catching touchdowns, Gronkowski still owns the top spot.
More Patriots and NFL Rankings
For more New England football history, check out our best New England Patriots players of all-time ranking, and our best New England Patriots wide receivers of all-time!
You can also read our Patriots stat leaderboards for the Patriots all-time receiving yards leaders, Patriots all-time passing yards leaders, Patriots all-time passing touchdown leaders, Patriots all-time rushing yards leaders, Patriots all-time rushing touchdown leaders, Patriots all-time interceptions leaders, and Patriots all-time sacks leaders.
For more NFL history, visit our best tight ends of all-time ranking, best wide receivers of all-time ranking, and most receiving touchdowns in NFL history list.
For the rest of the AFC East, check out our best Buffalo Bills players of all-time, best New York Jets players of all-time, and best Miami Dolphins players of all-time rankings.
For every franchise, visit our all-time player rankings for every NFL franchise, or keep browsing the main NL rankings page. For more daily football graphics and debates, follow SOG Football on Instagram.