Pittsburgh Steelers All-Time Receiving Yards Leaders starts with Hines Ward, the franchise record-holder with 12,083 receiving yards. For a team known for defense, toughness and physical football, Ward becoming the Steelers’ all-time receiving leader fits the franchise identity perfectly.
Antonio Brown ranks second with 11,207 receiving yards, while John Stallworth sits third after building a Hall of Fame career during Pittsburgh’s dynasty years. Heath Miller, Louis Lipps, Lynn Swann, Elbie Nickel, Buddy Dial, Diontae Johnson and Plaxico Burress round out a top 10 that covers nearly every major era of Steelers passing history.
For the full team index, visit our Pittsburgh Steelers all-time leaders and player rankings hub. This list uses regular-season receiving yards recorded with the Pittsburgh Steelers only.
How This Steelers Receiving Yards List Works
This list ranks the Pittsburgh Steelers all-time receiving yards leaders by regular-season receiving yards recorded with the Steelers franchise. It does not include playoff receiving yards, preseason stats or receiving yards gained with another NFL team.
That matters for players like Antonio Brown, Diontae Johnson, Plaxico Burress and Buddy Dial, who also had NFL chapters outside Pittsburgh. For this leaderboard, only their Steelers production counts.
This ranking includes wide receivers, tight ends and running backs because it is a receiving yards leaderboard, not a wide receivers-only ranking. That is why Heath Miller, Elbie Nickel, Bennie Cunningham, Eric Green and Pat Freiermuth appear alongside classic Steelers wide receivers.
Last updated: 2026 offseason, using regular-season franchise totals through the 2025 season.
Table of Contents
- How This Steelers Receiving Yards List Works
- 1. Hines Ward — 12,083 Receiving Yards
- 2. Antonio Brown — 11,207 Receiving Yards
- 3. John Stallworth — 8,723 Receiving Yards
- 4. Heath Miller — 6,569 Receiving Yards
- 5. Louis Lipps — 6,018 Receiving Yards
- 6. Lynn Swann — 5,462 Receiving Yards
- 7. Elbie Nickel — 5,131 Receiving Yards
- 8. Buddy Dial — 4,723 Receiving Yards
- 9. Diontae Johnson — 4,363 Receiving Yards
- 10. Plaxico Burress — 4,206 Receiving Yards
- Biggest Takeaways
- Receiving Yards vs. Steelers Pass-Catching Legacy
- Full Ranking Table
- FAQ
- Conclusion
- More Steelers and NFL Rankings
1. Hines Ward — 12,083 Receiving Yards
Pittsburgh Steelers Stats & Accolades: 1998–2011 with Pittsburgh, franchise-record 12,083 receiving yards, franchise-record 1,000 receptions, franchise-record 85 receiving touchdowns, four Pro Bowls, two Super Bowl championships and Super Bowl XL MVP.
Hines Ward is the Pittsburgh Steelers all-time receiving yards leader with 12,083. He also owns the franchise records for receptions and receiving touchdowns, making him the most productive pass catcher in team history.
Ward was more than a numbers receiver. He became one of the defining Steelers of his era because of his toughness, blocking, clutch catches and willingness to play a physical style. His 1,000 receptions show long-term consistency, while his Super Bowl XL MVP performance gives his résumé a championship peak.
That combination is why Ward still sits at the top of the Steelers receiving record book. He was the franchise’s statistical standard and one of the most complete offensive players Pittsburgh has ever had.
2. Antonio Brown — 11,207 Receiving Yards
Pittsburgh Steelers Stats & Accolades: 2010–2018 with Pittsburgh, 11,207 receiving yards, 837 receptions, 74 receiving touchdowns, seven Pro Bowls, multiple First-Team All-Pro selections and NFL 2010s All-Decade Team selection.
Antonio Brown ranks second in Steelers career receiving yards with 11,207. At his peak, he put together one of the most dominant wide receiver stretches in NFL history.
Brown’s route running, footwork, body control and chemistry with Ben Roethlisberger made him almost impossible to cover. From 2013 through 2018, he was consistently one of the league’s most productive receivers.
He came close to Hines Ward’s franchise yardage record despite playing fewer seasons in Pittsburgh. Brown’s Steelers ending was messy, but his on-field production with the franchise was historically elite.
3. John Stallworth — 8,723 Receiving Yards
Pittsburgh Steelers Stats & Accolades: 1974–1987 with Pittsburgh, 8,723 receiving yards, 537 receptions, 63 receiving touchdowns, four Super Bowl championships, multiple Pro Bowls and Pro Football Hall of Fame wide receiver.
John Stallworth ranks third in Steelers career receiving yards with 8,723. He was one of the key offensive stars of Pittsburgh’s 1970s dynasty.
Stallworth brought smooth route running, big-play ability and clutch postseason production. He played in an era where passing volume was much lower, which makes his yardage total even more impressive.
His regular-season numbers, playoff moments and four Super Bowl rings make him one of the greatest receivers in Steelers history. In a modern passing environment, his raw totals would likely look even louder.
4. Heath Miller — 6,569 Receiving Yards
Pittsburgh Steelers Stats & Accolades: 2005–2015 with Pittsburgh, 6,569 receiving yards, 592 receptions, 45 receiving touchdowns, two Pro Bowls and two Super Bowl championships.
Heath Miller ranks fourth in Steelers career receiving yards and is the highest-ranking tight end on this leaderboard.
Miller was one of Ben Roethlisberger’s most trusted targets. He was reliable over the middle, strong after the catch and valuable as both a receiver and blocker.
Steelers fans still remember the “Heeeath” chants because Miller represented the kind of dependable, team-first football Pittsburgh values. His 6,569 receiving yards are a massive number for a Steelers tight end.
5. Louis Lipps — 6,018 Receiving Yards
Pittsburgh Steelers Stats & Accolades: 1984–1991 with Pittsburgh, 6,018 receiving yards, 358 receptions, 39 receiving touchdowns, two Pro Bowls, 1984 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year and Steelers Hall of Honor member.
Louis Lipps ranks fifth in Steelers career receiving yards with 6,018. He was one of Pittsburgh’s most exciting offensive players during the 1980s.
Lipps had speed, return ability and big-play talent. He immediately made an impact as a rookie and became one of the bright spots during a transition period after the 1970s dynasty.
His place inside the top five shows how important he was to the Steelers passing game during his era. Pittsburgh did not always have high-volume passing attacks then, but Lipps still produced at a standout level.
6. Lynn Swann — 5,462 Receiving Yards
Pittsburgh Steelers Stats & Accolades: 1974–1982 with Pittsburgh, 5,462 receiving yards, 336 receptions, 51 receiving touchdowns, four Super Bowl championships, Super Bowl X MVP and Pro Football Hall of Fame wide receiver.
Lynn Swann ranks sixth in Steelers career receiving yards with 5,462. His yardage total is not as high as some modern receivers, but his legacy is built on elegance, clutch catches and championship moments.
Swann was one of the signature offensive players of the Steelers dynasty. His acrobatic catches in big games helped define Pittsburgh’s Super Bowl era.
His Super Bowl X MVP performance remains one of the most famous receiver showcases in NFL history. Swann’s combination of style, production and postseason impact keeps him high in Steelers lore.
7. Elbie Nickel — 5,131 Receiving Yards
Pittsburgh Steelers Stats & Accolades: 1947–1957 with Pittsburgh, 5,131 receiving yards, 329 receptions, 37 receiving touchdowns, three Pro Bowls and Steelers Hall of Honor member.
Elbie Nickel ranks seventh in Steelers career receiving yards with 5,131. He played tight end in an era when passing numbers were much smaller than they are today.
That context makes Nickel’s production stand out. He gave Pittsburgh one of its earliest great receiving threats and became one of the best pass-catching tight ends of his generation.
His 5,131 receiving yards still hold up decades later, which shows how strong his Steelers career really was.
8. Buddy Dial — 4,723 Receiving Yards
Pittsburgh Steelers Stats & Accolades: 1959–1963 with Pittsburgh, 4,723 receiving yards, 219 receptions, 42 receiving touchdowns and multiple Pro Bowl selections.
Buddy Dial ranks eighth in Steelers career receiving yards with 4,723. His numbers are especially impressive because his Pittsburgh career lasted only five seasons.
Dial was a big-play receiver with one of the strongest yards-per-catch averages on this list. His 21.6 yards per reception with the Steelers shows how explosive he was downfield.
He was one of Pittsburgh’s most dangerous passing weapons before the franchise became a dynasty. His scoring and yardage efficiency keep him firmly inside the top 10.
9. Diontae Johnson — 4,363 Receiving Yards
Pittsburgh Steelers Stats & Accolades: 2019–2023 with Pittsburgh, 4,363 receiving yards, 391 receptions, 25 receiving touchdowns and one Pro Bowl selection.
Diontae Johnson ranks ninth in Steelers career receiving yards with 4,363. He climbed into the top 10 during a difficult offensive period after Ben Roethlisberger’s prime.
Johnson was known for route running, separation ability and steady target volume. His best season came in 2021, when he crossed 1,000 receiving yards and earned a Pro Bowl selection.
His Steelers total is now a completed Pittsburgh total after his move away from the franchise. Even with a shorter run, Johnson did enough to land inside the franchise top 10.
10. Plaxico Burress — 4,206 Receiving Yards
Pittsburgh Steelers Stats & Accolades: 2000–2004 and 2012–2013 with Pittsburgh, 4,206 receiving yards, 264 receptions and 23 receiving touchdowns.
Plaxico Burress rounds out the Steelers top 10 in career receiving yards with 4,206. His size and downfield ability gave Pittsburgh a major outside target in the early 2000s.
Burress was a difficult matchup because of his height, catch radius and ability to win contested throws. He helped bridge the Steelers offense from the late Kordell Stewart era into the early Ben Roethlisberger era.
His best NFL moments came later, but his Pittsburgh production still places him among the franchise’s top 10 receiving yardage leaders.
Biggest Takeaways From the Steelers Receiving Yards List
The biggest takeaway is that Hines Ward still owns the franchise receiving crown. His 12,083 receiving yards, 1,000 catches and 85 touchdowns make him the statistical leader in Steelers receiving history.
The second takeaway is how close Antonio Brown came despite a shorter Steelers career. Brown finished less than 900 yards behind Ward and produced at an incredible pace during his peak.
The third takeaway is the mix of eras. Stallworth and Swann connect the list to the 1970s dynasty, Miller and Ward connect it to the Roethlisberger championship years, and Diontae Johnson, George Pickens and Pat Freiermuth show how recent Steelers pass catchers have already pushed into the expanded leaderboard.
Receiving Yards vs. Steelers Pass-Catching Legacy
Receiving yards tell the story differently than a pure best Pittsburgh Steelers wide receivers of all-time ranking. Ward leads the stat list because of volume, longevity and consistency, while Brown has the peak-production argument and Stallworth/Swann carry dynasty-era context that goes beyond regular-season totals.
The leaderboard also shows why tight ends matter in Pittsburgh’s passing history. Heath Miller and Elbie Nickel both rank inside the top seven, while Bennie Cunningham, Eric Green and Pat Freiermuth all appear in the expanded table. For more league-wide context at the position, our best NFL tight ends of all-time ranking gives a broader look at how Steelers tight ends compare historically.
For wideouts, the Steelers have one of the deeper franchise groups in football. Ward, Brown, Stallworth, Lipps, Swann, Dial, Johnson, Burress, Mike Wallace and Santonio Holmes give Pittsburgh a strong mix of production, peak play and Super Bowl moments. That depth is why this receiving yards list connects naturally to both the best NFL wide receivers of all-time debate and the broader NFL team all-time player rankings hub.
Full Ranking Table: Pittsburgh Steelers All-Time Receiving Yards Leaders
Note: This table is sorted by regular-season receiving yards with the Steelers only. Playoff stats are not included.
| Rank | Player | Position | Team Years | Receiving Yards | Receptions | Receiving TDs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hines Ward | WR | 1998–2011 | 12,083 | 1,000 | 85 |
| 2 | Antonio Brown | WR | 2010–2018 | 11,207 | 837 | 74 |
| 3 | John Stallworth | WR | 1974–1987 | 8,723 | 537 | 63 |
| 4 | Heath Miller | TE | 2005–2015 | 6,569 | 592 | 45 |
| 5 | Louis Lipps | WR | 1984–1991 | 6,018 | 358 | 39 |
| 6 | Lynn Swann | WR | 1974–1982 | 5,462 | 336 | 51 |
| 7 | Elbie Nickel | TE | 1947–1957 | 5,131 | 329 | 37 |
| 8 | Buddy Dial | WR | 1959–1963 | 4,723 | 219 | 42 |
| 9 | Diontae Johnson | WR | 2019–2023 | 4,363 | 391 | 25 |
| 10 | Plaxico Burress | WR | 2000–2004, 2012–2013 | 4,206 | 264 | 23 |
| 11 | Mike Wallace | WR | 2009–2012 | 4,042 | 235 | 32 |
| 12 | Ray Mathews | HB | 1951–1959 | 3,919 | 230 | 34 |
| 13 | JuJu Smith-Schuster | WR | 2017–2021 | 3,855 | 323 | 26 |
| 14 | Santonio Holmes | WR | 2006–2009 | 3,835 | 235 | 20 |
| 15 | Roy Jefferson | WR | 1965–1969 | 3,671 | 199 | 29 |
| 16 | Yancey Thigpen | WR | 1992–1997 | 3,651 | 222 | 21 |
| 17 | Charles Johnson | WR | 1994–1998 | 3,400 | 247 | 15 |
| 18 | Ron Shanklin | WR | 1970–1974 | 3,047 | 166 | 24 |
| 19 | Gary Ballman | WR | 1962–1966 | 2,949 | 154 | 22 |
| 20 | Bennie Cunningham | TE | 1976–1985 | 2,879 | 202 | 20 |
| 21 | George Pickens | WR | 2022–2025 | 2,841 | 174 | 12 |
| 22 | Eric Green | TE | 1990–1994 | 2,681 | 198 | 24 |
| 23 | Pat Freiermuth | TE | 2021–2025 | 2,676 | 261 | 22 |
| 24 | Le’Veon Bell | RB | 2013–2018 | 2,660 | 312 | 7 |
| 25 | Dwight Stone | WR | 1987–1994 | 2,460 | 152 | 12 |
| 26 | Val Jansante | WR | 1946–1951 | 2,350 | 154 | 14 |
| 27 | Franco Harris | RB | 1972–1983 | 2,284 | 306 | 9 |
| 28 | Antwaan Randle El | WR | 2002–2005, 2010 | 2,265 | 184 | 7 |
| 29 | Frank Lewis | WR | 1971–1977 | 2,086 | 128 | 16 |
| 30 | Jim Smith | WR | 1977–1982 | 2,075 | 110 | 24 |
FAQ: Pittsburgh Steelers All-Time Receiving Yards Leaders
Who has the most receiving yards in Pittsburgh Steelers history?
Hines Ward has the most receiving yards in Pittsburgh Steelers history with 12,083 regular-season receiving yards.
Who is second in Steelers career receiving yards?
Antonio Brown ranks second in Steelers career receiving yards with 11,207 receiving yards.
Who is third in Pittsburgh Steelers all-time receiving yards?
John Stallworth ranks third with 8,723 receiving yards for Pittsburgh.
Where does Heath Miller rank in Steelers receiving yards?
Heath Miller ranks fourth in Steelers career receiving yards with 6,569 receiving yards. He is the highest-ranking tight end on the Steelers receiving yards leaderboard.
Where does Lynn Swann rank in Steelers receiving yards?
Lynn Swann ranks sixth in Steelers career receiving yards with 5,462 receiving yards.
Where does Diontae Johnson rank in Steelers receiving yards?
Diontae Johnson ranks ninth in Steelers career receiving yards with 4,363 receiving yards.
Which Steelers tight end has the most receiving yards?
Heath Miller has the most receiving yards by a Steelers tight end with 6,569 receiving yards.
Are playoff receiving yards included in this Steelers ranking?
No. This ranking uses regular-season receiving yards with the Steelers only. Playoff receiving yards are not included.
Conclusion: Hines Ward Still Leads the Steelers Receiving Yards List
Hines Ward remains the Pittsburgh Steelers all-time receiving yards leader with 12,083. Antonio Brown ranks second with 11,207, while John Stallworth is third with 8,723.
The leaderboard shows how strong Pittsburgh’s receiving history really is. Ward and Brown dominate the modern statistical record book, Stallworth and Swann connect the list to the dynasty years, and Heath Miller represents one of the best tight end careers in franchise history.
Ward’s lead is still safe for now. His combination of production, toughness, blocking and championship impact makes him one of the most complete offensive players in Steelers history.
More Steelers and NFL Rankings
For the full franchise picture, visit our Pittsburgh Steelers all-time leaders and player rankings hub and our best Pittsburgh Steelers players of all-time ranking.
You can also read our related Steelers pages for Pittsburgh Steelers all-time receiving touchdown leaders, Pittsburgh Steelers all-time passing yards leaders, Pittsburgh Steelers all-time rushing yards leaders and Pittsburgh Steelers all-time rushing touchdown leaders.
For broader NFL history, check out the SOG Sports NFL page and follow SOG Football on Instagram for more NFL rankings, debates and football history graphics.
