He's a top 5 wide receiver of all time and probably finishes as the 2nd best statistically behind Jerry Rice as of this season. Mike Wallace. All logos are the trademark & property of their owners and not Sports Reference LLC. He set a career high with three touchdowns in a 2015 matchup against the Bears, and he had 49 games with at least 100 receiving yards and scored at least twice in a game 19 times. After being moved into a feature role his sophomore season, he caught a pair of touchdowns in the season opener, then added a 184-yard performance later in the season. The elite of the Y2K era are hanging 'em up left and right. The Cardinals looked to make their roster younger for the 1991 season, and they traded Green to the Browns. Randy Moss 3. 4. That included a monster season in 1997, which saw him lead the league with a then-franchise record 1,584 yards, 176 yards ahead of runner-up Tim Brown. 26. Download the Yahoo News app. Following this list are a handful of honorable mentions as well as statistics from every 1,000-yard receiving season in team history. Due to a DUI arrest and a failed drug test, the Cardinals declined to re-sign him as a free agent in 2003. Who could forget 17 touchdowns that season? Green Bay Packers (1935-1945) Rice is often thought of as the top player in all of NFL history, but Don Hutson held that honor for the league's first 50 years. Watch our How-To Videos to Become a Stathead, Subscribe to Stathead and get access to more data than you can imagine. The team officially ruled out wide receiver Jakobi . In 1969, he caught 52 passes for 997 yards and nine touchdowns; in 1970, he hauled in 45 passes for 952 yards and five touchdowns; and in 1971, he pulled down 42 passes for 837 yards and three touchdowns. NFL footage NFL Productions LLC. The Cardinals have had plenty of explosive offensive players in its 100-year history, and this article will count down the franchises 10 best wide receivers of all time. He missed just three games from 1978 to 85, and he amassed at least 690 yards each of those seasons except the strike-shortened 82 campaign. All other NFL-related trademarks are trademarks of the National Football League. Best NFL Wide Receivers of All Time The Top Ten 1 Jerry Rice Jerry Lee Rice is a former American football wide receiver who played 20 seasons in the National Football League, primarily with the San Francisco 49ers. Lists that rank the greatest players and coaches in the history of the NFL franchise. 5. Jerry Rice 2. Smith St. Louis Cardinals receiver J.T. Smith had two 1,000-yard receiving seasons for the Cardinals, and he nearly had a third. Below are prominent records among wide receivers that are contained in the Cardinals franchise record book. Edmonton Elks. When talking about the most talented receivers in history, Calvin Johnson is undoubtedly a top-five selection. As a second-round draft selection of the Cardinals in 1995, Sanders was immediately thrown into a major role as the team rebuilt its receiving corps. This Month in Sports ReferenceFind out when we add a feature or make a change. Rice combined work ethic, explosiveness at the snap (not 40 speed), a perfectionist personality and want-to to become the standard at the position. All-time Scores, Find a Score. While with the Cardinals, he caught 493 passes for 6,579 yards and 24 touchdowns. Guys like Seattle Seahawks legend Steve Largent and Dallas Cowboys star Michael Irvin didn't quite make the cut. Going into the 1986 season, Tilley was just 15 receptions shy of breaking the franchise record, but he'd play just one game. In 1963, he led the league with 73 catches, setting a franchise record that would stand for two decades. Injuries would slow him the next several seasons, however, and while he would lead the team in receiving yardage one more time (with 1,097 in 1988), he only gained 100-plus yards in a game nine times between 1985 and '90. He was just 16 yards shy of becoming the 21st player to average 100 yards per game in a season. Jason Isringhausen, 2002-08 Key fact: Holds the Cardinals' all-time saves record with 217 When Isringhausen was a free agent at the end of 2001, he got a call from Bill DeWitt Jr. We have tools and resources that can help you use sports data. Together, Moore and Sanders provided a steady tandem that helped push the Cardinals into the 1998 playoffsand between two postseason games, Moore was targeted 26 times and gained 132 yards on 11 receptions. Ozzie Smith Legend Highlights. That included a monster season in 1997, which saw him lead the league with a then-franchise record 1,584 yards, 176 yards ahead of runner-up Tim Brown. There has been a plethora of Hall of Fame-caliber WRs over the prior 15 years such as "Megatron", Larry Fitzgerald, Terrell Owens, and Randy Moss. Ottawa REDBLACKS. He finished with 986 yards in 1988. With a full slate of games in 1983, Green eclipsed the 1,000-yard mark for the first time while leading the league with 14 touchdownsfour of which came in a win over Seattle. Still active, he already owns the majority of the franchise's receiving records. Roy Jet Stream Green didnt come into the NFL in 1979 with high expectations as a fourth-round pick out of Henderson State in Arkansas. He would never return, but he will also never be forgotten by Cardinals fans after catching 468 passes for 7,005 yards and 37 touchdowns. Boston was unable to follow up on his 2001 success, as he suffered a season-ending knee injury in Week 9 in 2002. The best wide receiver draft classes of all time Stacked wide receiver classes have become the norm in NFL drafts. Decker added on 1,288 yards of his own and averaged just shy of 15 yards per reception. As a second-round draft selection of the Cardinals in 1995, Sanders was immediately thrown into a major role as the team rebuilt its receiving corps. Frank Sanders had very little time to adjust to the NFL. Vote below and help decide the greatest Cardinals WR of all time! Then, starting in the late 1990s, the position solidified, and more legends were born. He maintains league records with 217 yards in his first game and 101 receptions in his first season. J.T. The Cardinals have not had two 1,000 yard receivers since 2015 when Fitzgerald and John Brown eclipsed that number with Michael Floyd having 849 yards. That season was a solid follow-up to his 1986 campaign, which saw him snare 80 passes for 1,014 yards. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Green accepted the challenge, and he became one of the league's best. All-time among NFL receivers, Fitzgerald is second in career receptions and receiving yardage, and he is sixth in career receiving touchdowns. Conrad started every game for the next five seasons, and from 1961 to 68 he caught a pass in 101 straight games. His prime years were spent with Jim Zorn and a developing Dave Krieg -- not exactly the King of Beers at quarterback (sorry, trying to give the now-retired Peyton Manning more plugs here). That helped push him over the 1,000-yard mark for the season, a feat he would repeat in 1963. He had 217 receiving yards in his first game, and he had an additional four more games of at least 100 yards on his way to winning the Offensive Rookie of the Year award. Sonny Randle was one of two rookie receivers tasked with trying to help rebuild the Cardinals offensive attack in 1959. 1947-1955, NFL Champion (1947), 3x All Pro, 2x Pro Bowl, NFL 1940s All Decade Team, Cardinals Ring of Honor, Pro Football Hall of Fame HB4: David Johnson. He missed just three games from 1978 to '85, and he amassed at least 690 yards each of those seasons except the strike-shortened '82 campaign. 1. He doubled his career reception total and nearly tripled his career yardage total with that effort, but he wouldn't cross the 100-yard threshold again the rest of the season. Jeffires was . He ended his career with the Cardinals after catching 418 passes for 5,828 yards and 38 touchdowns. Louis/Arizona Cardinals Career Receiving Leaders Seasons: 103 (1920 to 2022) Record (W-L-T): 581-784-41 Playoff Record: 7-10 Super Bowls Won: 0 (1 Appearance) Championships Won*: 2 All-time Passing Leader: Jim Hart 2,590/5,069, 34,639 yds, 209 TD All-time Rushing Leader: Ottis Anderson 1,858 att, 7,999 yds, 46 TD The Cardinals moved Conrad to flanker in 1962, and the experience he gained set up his two finest receiving seasons. Arizona Cardinals (2004-) He hasn't retired yet, which means Fitzgerald is a real threat to ascend this list rather quickly. During the following season, Randle was on pace for more than 1,000 yards again, but he suffered an injury midseason. When he hung 'em up in the mid-1940s, he had posted nearly twice as many receptions as the next closest player. He left the Cardinals after the 1966 season with a career total 328 receptions for 5,438 yards and 60 touchdowns. With so many standout wide receivers in Cardinals history, listed below are several players who also left an indelible mark on team history but didn't quite make the top 10. Best quarterback/wide receiver duos in NFL history. Not to mention Moss in his prime was a tinge more dominant. The Cardinals have had plenty of explosive offensive players in its 100-year history, and this article will count down the franchise's 10 best wide receivers of all time. Charlie Joiner 18. Mel Gray was a two-sport standout at Missouri, and he stayed near school when the Cardinals selected him in the sixth round of the 1971 NFL Draft. From 1996 to 2001, he played every game and failed to catch a pass in only three of them. 1960-72. Either way, I could not continue without mentioning Mizzou's all-time leading touchdown reception leader (30), as well as its third all-time leader in receiving yards (2659). Every now and again, however, he showed flashes of brilliance that justified his draft position. We don't knock Babe Ruth for this when talking about the best baseball players of all time. In his final season, Gray was on pace to break the NFL record for consecutive games with a reception, but he had to settle for a streak of 121 such games, with just four catches in five games in his final season. Thirteen players have taken that a step further by gaining 1,000 yards in a season. In all but three of his seasons, he caught a pass of at least 69 yards and went for an 80-yard touchdown three times. He also grabbed two touchdowns in his first game of the 1961 season, but those came in Week 2. The 1970s were a little sparse in terms of production, but several memorable receivers still took the field, and the 80s brought about the greatest receiver the franchise had seen. Derrick Mason is the Baltimore Ravens career leader in receptions with 471. Really, it's the postseason when Fitzgerald has shined in nine career playoff games, he's averaged more than 100 yards per contest and at least one touchdown. Boston was the No. The one criticism of Hutson is that he played when African-American players were not in the league. Buy Steelers Tickets Gallery San Francisco 49ers (1996-2003); Philadelphia Eagles (2004-05); Dallas Cowboys (2006-08); Buffalo Bills (2009); Cincinnati Bengals (2010) Much like Randy Moss, Owens is difficult to rank on this list. That would all change in his sophomore season, in which he led the league in touchdowns and finished sixth in receptions. He doesn't look the part, but Larry Wilson was the greatest safety in Cardinals history, and one of the best in NFL history. Moore is among the most significant receivers in Cardinals history. The elite of the Y2K era are hanging 'em up left and right. The New England Patriots will be shorthanded for their game on Monday against the Arizona Cardinals. Saskatchewan Roughriders. Please see our Contributors and Sources page for data source details. However, only 10 have made our rankings, though there were some tough cuts. During the following season, Green became a full-time receiver, and he had 170 yards in one game of the strike-shortened 1982 season. He just wasn't as prolific late in his career. His. Carter did his best work during his 12-year tenure with the Minnesota Vikings, where he led the league with 122 receptions in 2004 and led in touchdowns three different times. Not only are Buck and Aikman impressed with Olave, but they believe that Olave's excellence is part of a trend by the Buckeyes in . Smith had two 1,000-yard receiving seasons for the Cardinals, and he nearly had a third. Bruce is one of the best receivers of all time, and was part of one of the greatest offenses of all time with the Rams in the late 1990s-early 2000s. He was released during the 2016 season after a DUI arrest. His 1984 campaign was even better. Largent was named to the Hall of Fame's All-Decade team of the '80s. Arizona receivers Michael Floyd (15) and Larry Fitzgerald (11) celebrate after Floyd scored against Washington in 2016. Larry Fitzgerald, the team's superstar receiver and one of the best receivers in football, is bound for Canton and in 2008, the Cardinals went to the Super Bowl behind Fitzgerald, quarterback Kurt Warner and receiver Anquan Boldin. That helped push him over the 1,000-yard mark for the season, a feat he would repeat in 1963. Pat Tilley was just 510 and 178 pounds when he was selected by the Cardinals in the fourth round of the 1976 NFL Draft. Since that year, which saw Arizona's offense propel the team to Super Bowl XLIII, production from the position had stayed strong, and the future remains bright. He also has 10 postseason touchdown catches and appeared in Super Bowl XLIII, a game in which he caught a pair of touchdowns. Gray never caught 1,000 yards in a season, but his consistent big-play ability and sure hands made him a reliable asset for the franchise. His knack for the details stuck with him even after he was hired as an assistant coach in Dallas. T.O. Copyright 2000-2022 Sports Reference LLC. Terrell Owens 4. A product of Louisiana Tech, he didn't play too often as a receiver in his first two seasons, but then he became a mainstay for the team's offense. Marvin Harrison and Peyton Manning, who were one of the most prolific quarterback/receiver duos in league history, often seemed like they shared the same brain on the field. Tim Brown 10. Included was a three-game stretch that saw him make 20 catches for 518 yards, as well as a blistering finale of eight catches, for a career-high 196 yards. Minnesota Vikings cornerback Patrick Peterson (7) breaks up a pass intended for Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Robbie Anderson (81) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 30 . GLENDALE, ARIZONA - NOVEMBER 08: Mack Hollins #86 of the Miami Dolphins reacts after a first down during the second half against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium on November 08, 2020 . But one thing is for sure, the state of the Arizona Cardinals receivers is the best it . Alworth was the Moss of his day -- except more complete. Jordy McElroy. Ray Guy Award (Best punter): Rutgers . The team has had at least one bona fide receiver in its lineup for almost every season since the 1960s, and it has watched one of its players rack up at least 900 receiving yards in a season 53 times. Charles Woodson told everyone he was done at the end of December. However, "Megatron" only played nine seasons for the Detroit Lions (2007-15). Smith (84) celebrates during a game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Busch Stadium. Mark "Super" Duper may be the Miami Dolphins' all-time leader in receiving yards, and he may have had a . In 1963, he led the league with 73 catches, setting a franchise record that would stand for two decades. My Elks Account. There are dozens of 'Top NFL Players of All-Time' articles for all . Following the 1994 season, the Cardinals were in desperate need of receivers after parting ways with three of them, and Moore provided both a consistent big-play threat alongside second-round draft pick Frank Sanders. Retired as NFL's all-time leader in receptions (819), receiving yards (13,089), rec TD (100). 1. NFL Draft. Chicago/St. These players are considered the best Cardinals ever. Paul Warfield 21. The Cardinals looked to make their roster younger for the 1991 season, and they traded Green to the Browns. Rumors: St. Louis Cardinals avoided paying big price for Sean Murphy. Sitting at 6-6, the Patriots are just a game out of the seventh and final . James Lofton 14. BC Lions. Here is what he had to say about the All-Pro receiver: "Adams has dominated as a member of the Raiders this season, with six 100-plus-yard receiving games heading into Week 13, and he racked up 177 yards on two touchdowns against the Los Angeles Chargers to add to that tally. Who are the best wide receivers in Arizona Cardinals history? The Cardinals put up a small bounty to acquire Rob Moore from the Jets, netting the veteran receiver in exchange for their first-round draft pick and running back Ronald Moore. As a part of a prolific offense that featured quarterback Kurt Warner and fellow receiver Larry Fitzgerald, Boldin continued to produce numbers that have him in contention for election into the Hall of Fame when he becomes eligible in 2022. He held the franchise record for career receiving touchdowns until 1989 and still holds the single-season record. Wayne played for the Indianapolis Colts alongside Hall-of-Fame quarterback Peyton Manning and Hall-of-Fame receiver Marvin Harrison. After that streak ended, he played a final season in a reserve role close to his home in Texas with the Cowboys. There he spent one season on defense, then was used primarily in the rushing attack for the next two years. The former Marshall product was as good out of the gate as any player in league history. On occasion, receivers could be both. Following the 1994 season, the Cardinals were in desperate need of receivers after parting ways with three of them, and Moore provided both a consistent big-play threat alongside second-round draft pick Frank Sanders. His best individual games both came in losses for Arizona. "Like sands through the hourglass, so are the days of our lives.". Several eras have seen a few wideout drafts make major impacts, however.. NFL and the NFL shield design are registered trademarks of the National Football League.The team names, logos and uniform designs are registered trademarks of the teams indicated. Seattle Seahawks (1976-1989) Largent was a model of consistency who held the career receptions, yardage, and touchdowns record at the time of his retirement. Biletnikoff Award (Best wide receiver): Tennessee wide receiver Jalin Hyatt.Other nominees: Ohio State's Marvin Harrison, Jr., Iowa State's Xavier Hutchinson. The all-time leading receiver is currently still there, as Larry Fitzgeraldhas quickly taken over as the best Cardinals wide receiver of all-time. Reggie Wayne. 2022 NFL Enterprises LLC. He doubled his career reception total and nearly tripled his career yardage total with that effort, but he wouldnt cross the 100-yard threshold again the rest of the season. The Arizona Cardinals (4-8) could play spoiler on Monday Night Football when they face the New England Patriots (6-6), who are just outside the AFC playoff picture. Though he has since been traded to the Minnesota Vikings, he still averages $12 million per season. In the season opener, he snared three passes for 51 yards on a pulled hamstringbut later in the week he was placed on injured reserve due to a severe back injury. Baltimore Colts (1955-1967) "He was so technically defined. 2022 Draft, Draft Finder, Draft History. Brandt recalls Berry telling him that their practice field wasn't wide enough. Toronto Argonauts. 1 min read. 11 overall this year. Conrad started every game for the next five seasons, and from 1961 to '68 he caught a pass in 101 straight games. Included are player stats for the Arizona Cardinals (NFL) from 1994-2022, the Phoenix Cardinals (NFL) from 1988-1993, the St. Louis Cardinals (NFL) from 1960-1987, the Chicago Cardinals (NFL) from 1945-1959, the Chicago Cardinals (NFL) from 1922-1943 and the Chicago Cardinals (APFA) from 1920-1921. But once he focused more on football instead of showboating, he became a superstar for the Cardinals. His 18.9 yards per reception are the most among Cardinals players with at least 150 catches, and his four fumbles are the fewest in team history among receivers to play 100 or more games. Who Is The Best Wide Receiver In The NFL Right Now? Winnipeg Blue Bombers. Formerly a two-way player at Texas A&M, Conrad was drafted by the Giants as a defensive back in 1958 but was traded to the Cardinals a few months later. James D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports. Rice, who was selected out of Mississippi Valley State went on to put together the greatest receiving career of any to play the game. Best: Carson Palmer, QB The Cardinals were stuck in mediocre after Kurt Warner retired, mainly due to their inability to find a suitable replacement for the hall-0f-fame Warner. Remember that this was in the late 1970s and '80s, when the passing game was still inhibited, compared with today's game (where we have an illegal contact call every five seconds). As the 2023 Miami Marlins keep waiting for a perfect move, they should instead learn a lesson from the 2022 Miami Dolphins wide receiver room. 5. Going into the 1986 season, Tilley was just 15 receptions shy of breaking the franchise record, but hed play just one game. His best individual games both came in losses for Arizona. 8 pick in the 1999 NFL Draft and had the expected growing pains of a rookie. The Cardinals moved Conrad to flanker in 1962, and the experience he gained set up his two finest receiving seasons. Twenty of his 46 career touchdown passes were for at least 50 yards, and nine of his first 10 scores went for at least 40 yards. Anquan Boldin had one of the best-ever starts to an NFL career after being taken as a second-round draft pick in 2003. Larry Fitzgerald 8. I couldn't help it. Arizona receivers Michael Floyd (15) and Larry Fitzgerald (11) celebrate after Floyd scored against Washington in 2016. Hutson's NFL record of 99 career receiving touchdowns was not surpassed until 40 years after he retired. Since that year, which saw Arizonas offense propel the team to Super Bowl XLIII, production from the position had stayed strong, and the future remains bright. Bobby Joe Conrad didn't start his career as a wide receiver, but by the time he was permanently placed at the position in 1962, he was ready to prove that he belonged. How he posted 1,331 yards and 12 touchdowns for an 0-16 team in 2008, and with Dan Orlovsky chucking him the football, is anyone's guess. Anquan Boldin 20. Lance Alworth 12. The franchise rewarded Rob Moore with the richest contract in team history, and he rewarded their confidence with five productive years. Then check out this list of Arizona Cardinals wide receivers. Who is the best wide receiver of all time? He was the youngest player to reach 700, 800, 900 and 1,000 receptions for his career, and he has also been active off the field, donating time and money to numerous causes over the course of his career. While with the Cardinals, he caught 493 passes for 6,579 yards and 24 touchdowns. Prohel was very consistent, closing each of his four seasons with the Cardinals between 651 and 877 receiving yards. Fitzgerald was a first-round draft selection out of the University of Pittsburgh and was picked up by Arizona to carry on the tradition of standout receivers. Next: An absolute speed demon 10. Additionally, only wide receivers are included, so neither great tight end Jackie Smith nor pass-catching fullback Larry Centers will be listed here. Together, Moore and Sanders provided a steady tandem that helped push the Cardinals into the 1998 playoffsand between two postseason games, Moore was targeted 26 times and gained 132 yards on 11 receptions. But Sanders always made sure to play his part, too. 7/10 Marvin Harrison. His 2008 playoff run rivals any span by any player in NFL history: four games, 30 catches, 546 yards and seven touchdowns. Smith also played some of the best defense of his era as well, winning 11 Gold Gloves as a Cardinal and 13 overall. The following browsers are supported: Chrome, Edge (v80 and later), Firefox and Safari. No players on the 2022 Cardinals active roster are included on this list. Sanders left for the Ravens after the 2002 season. The front-page news Tuesday, that one of the scariest wide receivers to ever lace them up was calling it quits, inspired me to jot down the top 10 wideouts of all time -- all eras included. Do you have a blog? Chicago's all-time leading receivers in Bears history Chicago's all-time leading receivers in Bears history Share this article Alyssa Barbieri follow July 14, 2021 8:26 am CT Allen Robinson is. Head coach Kliff . Cris Carter 11. Here's a look at the five best receivers in Titans history. Bobby Joe Conrad didnt start his career as a wide receiver, but by the time he was permanently placed at the position in 1962, he was ready to prove that he belonged. Use without license or authorization is expressly prohibited. The following is a look at the franchise receiving records and individual statistics for every 1,000-yard receiving season in the history of the Cardinals, from their beginnings in Chicago through their move to St. Louis and finally to the present day in Arizona. He didnt come with expectations to be a wide receiver, either. In addition, Vikings receiver Justin Jefferson's greatness is highlighted on . In fact the Cardinals started six different quarterbacks from 2010-2012, including the huge disappointment that came with the Kevin Kolb trade. A model of consistency throughout his entire career, Fitzgerald has been the face of the Cardinals since 2004, missing just six games in that span. He left the Cardinals after the 1966 season with a career total 328 receptions for 5,438 yards and 60 touchdowns. After being moved into a feature role his sophomore season, he caught a pair of touchdowns in the season opener, then added a 184-yard performance later in the season. The year was 1981 and the Cardinals needed receiversso they turned to Green, who was one of their defensive backs and a kick returner. Gray never caught 1,000 yards in a season, but his consistent big-play ability and sure hands made him a reliable asset for the franchise. It wasnt until his third season in the league that he made the part-time switch after coaches observed him playing catch in practice. The draft's top target taken, Jerry Butler (fifth overall), posted a 255-yard game. Big fan of Arizona football? A product of Louisiana Tech, he didnt play too often as a receiver in his first two seasons, but then he became a mainstay for the teams offense. Throughout his career, Randle typically started the season strong, catching seven career touchdowns in Week 1. 10. Multiple Arizona receivers have caught more than 1,000 yards in the same season five times since 1997including three players who achieved the feat during the 2008 season. He was excellent as the No. The browser you are using is no longer supported on this site. After that streak ended, he played a final season in a reserve role close to his home in Texas with the Cowboys. This stereo receiver puts a whole new meaning on entertainment. Ricky Proehl made his mark right away after getting selected by the Cardinals in the third round of the 1990 NFL Draft. Going into 2020, he held team records with his 100.1 yards per game average from 2005, as well as his 6.2 receptions per game from his seven years with the team. The former Seahawk posted eight 1,000-yard seasons, despite playing through two strikes. He ended his career with the Cardinals after catching 418 passes for 5,828 yards and 38 touchdowns. 's first year of eligibility. #2. Along the way, he became the fastest player to reach 200, 300, 400 and 500 career receptions. Larry Wilson redefined what an NFL safety can do. Below are prominent records among wide receivers that are contained in the Cardinals franchise record book. Still, Owens could play with anybody, including the G.O.A.T. His 1984 campaign was even better. The franchise rewarded Rob Moore with the richest contract in team history, and he rewarded their confidence with five productive years. He never crossed the 1,000-yard threshold, but he was consistently in the box score every game the next two seasons, catching at least two passes in all 28 games. On one hand, there's some excitement that comes with thinking up future possibilities that could potentially help . You can't blame someone for who they competed against. Outside of not all baseballs being created equal, there might not be a worst kept secret in MLB than that the Miami Marlins really, really, really want to trade for Bryan Reynolds. In all but three of his seasons, he caught a pass of at least 69 yards and went for an 80-yard touchdown three times. In 1962, Randle had the best individual game of his career, when he hauled in a since-tied franchise record 16 passes in a single game for 256 yards and a touchdown. J.T. The team had plenty of optimism when the season began. All told, he has 49 games with at least 100 receiving yards, and he has scored at least twice in a game 19 times. We present them here for purely educational purposes. Yahoo News Yahoo News. Please pardon me for beginning this story with the opening words from the daytime soap opera, Days of Our Lives, which has been broadcasting for 57 years. His efforts helped the Cardinals appear in Super Bowl XLIII, and he caught a 71-yard touchdown during the 2008 postseason. His best rookie game came in Week 6, when he came away with 108 yards and his only two touchdowns of the season in a loss to the Giants. Frank Sanders had very little time to adjust to the NFL. In four games that season, including the season opener, he caught three touchdown passes. Now a retired Hall of Famer, Carter remains sixth all-time in receptions (1,101) and 13th all-time in receiving yards (13,899). SportsGooru is all about West Coast sports. The New England Patriots enter Week 14's "Monday Night Football" matchup in must-win mode against the Arizona Cardinals. Sanders rarely posted gaudy statistical numbers, instead helping spread the field and draw defenders away from superstars like Rob Moore and David Boston. In his second game as a receiver, he caught a touchdown and intercepted a pass on defense, becoming the first player to do so since 1966. Among Fitzgeralds franchise records are 1,378 catches for 17,083 yards and 120 touchdowns (current through the 2019 season). December 7, 2022 3:30 pm ET. In both the 2005 and '08 seasons, he had seven games with more than 100 receiving yards. Boston was the No. It is highly recommended that you use the latest versions of a supported browser in order to receive an optimal viewing experience. The trio made . Injuries would slow him the next several seasons, however, and while he would lead the team in receiving yardage one more time (with 1,097 in 1988), he only gained 100-plus yards in a game nine times between 1985 and 90. Rice is so far ahead the guy in second thinks he's first. From the NFL to NBA, and all the sports in between. John Gilliam only played three seasons with the Cardinals, but he made those years count. Some of the best wide receivers to ever play the game have taken the field over the last 20-30 years and surely there are some great ones playing right now, such as guys like Julio Jones, Davante Adams and Michael Thomas. Sandwiched between those years were two of his best individual gamesan 11-catch, 172-yard effort in 2006, and an 11-catch, 171-yard effort in '07. Standing 6 . Two years later, he averaged more than 100 yards per game, despite missing two games with an injury. The following are the Baltimore Ravens career receiving leaders ranked by receptions. Most importantly, defensive coordinators were more afraid of Moss than any player in the NFL, with that fear surfacing his rookie year. The Cardinals still found a way to lose . He caught at least one pass in the first 15 games of his career, and he showed big-play potential by averaging nearly 17 yards per catch. As a part of a prolific offense that featured quarterback Kurt Warner and fellow receiver Larry Fitzgerald, Boldin continued to produce numbers that have him in contention for election into the Hall of Fame when he becomes eligible in 2022. Additionally, only wide receivers are included, so neither great tight end Jackie Smith nor pass-catching fullback Larry Centers will be listed here. His career took off during Peyton Manning's second year; from that season until 2006, he posted 1,000 yards and 10 touchdowns every year. With that history, several players are in the mix when considering the best wide receivers in franchise history. Every now and again, however, he showed flashes of brilliance that justified his draft position. Only games played with the Cardinals are factored into this list, so while Gary Clark would be a great player to include on a list about Washington, his two seasons of strong production with the Cardinals wont place him in the top 10 here. It includes every starting wide receiver from throughout Arizona Cardinals history, including current wide receivers and past ones. He smashed his newly minted record with a league-best 1,555 receiving yards on the strength of five games, where he finished with 160 yards or more. Floyd followed this with back-to-back seasons where he finished over 800 yards. Larry Fitzgerald is the best wide receiver in Cardinals history. He set the teams rookie record with 56 catches (since beaten by Anquan Boldin) for 802 yards. Do you have a sports website? Thomas might be the best receiver in Broncos' history, Decker recorded some great seasons between 2012-2015, and Welker was a two-time All-Pro. From the middle of 2004 through the '20 season, he caught a pass in 256 straight games in which he played. Reed logged career post-season numbers of 85 receptions, 1,229 yards and nine touchdowns. In his fifth game of his rookie season, Boston caught eight passes for 101 yards and his first career touchdown in a win over the Giants. Only stats for Regular Season Games have been included. J.T. While it's all but too late to make a playoff push in 2022, the Cardinals will finally have their receiver duo on the field at the same time this Sunday against the Chargers. Sanders rarely posted gaudy statistical numbers, instead helping spread the field and draw defenders away from superstars like Rob Moore and David Boston. Henry Ellard 17. Only games played with the Cardinals are factored into this list, so while Gary Clark would be a great player to include on a list about Washington, his two seasons of strong production with the Cardinals won't place him in the top 10 here. Johnson is one of the most dynamic athletes in the NFL at the moment. That included Adams, who was the highest-graded receiver of the week. Essentially, Antonio Brown owes a little something to the former Baltimore Colt, who, by the way, was a two-time NFL champion and a first-ballot Hall of Famer. He set the team's rookie record with 56 catches (since beaten by Anquan Boldin) for 802 yards. Best Smart: Sony STRDH590 5.2 Channel Surround Sound Home Theater Receiver. He averaged 20 yards per reception during his tenure. There was Patrick Willis last March. He was the youngest player to reach 700, 800, 900 and 1,000 receptions for his career. Michael Floyd was a first-round draft pick of the Cardinals in 2012, and he went to work right away, catching his first career pass for a touchdown. He was just 16 yards shy of becoming the 21st player to average 100 yards per game in a season. A model of consistency throughout his entire career, Fitzgerald became the face of the Cardinals once he was drafted in 2004 and missed just nine games in that span. Arizona had the bye in Week 13 . Fitzgerald began at Arizona in. While they may one day have their case to make this list, we look at the 10 greatest NFL wide receivers of all time. San Diego Chargers (1962-1970); Dallas Cowboys (1971-72) What Alworth was able to accomplish in the 1960s, given the rules of the day -- when defensive backs could bump receivers all the way down the field -- is remarkable. The guy had unbelievable hands," says NFL Media analyst Gil Brandt, who saw Berry transform the position of wide receiver in person. It always feels like a scene straight out of Groundhog Day every season with us talking about potential free agent receivers that could be future targets for the New England Patriots. Years: 1978-90. Detroit Lions (2007-2015) Despite his shorter career (just nine seasons), at least relative to the other players on this list, Johnson deserves to be in the top 10. Roy "Jetstream" Green (1979-1990) The Cardinals couldnt have known at the time that they had selected the player who would become one of the greatest wide receivers in NFL history. NFL Power Rankings: 30 Best Wide Receivers of All-Time. Don Maynard 9. The Cardinals' owner wanted to see what it would take to get Isringhausen to sign with St. Louis. The year was 1981 and the Cardinals needed receiversso they turned to Green, who was one of their defensive backs and a kick returner. The 139 receptions would be the fourth highest in a single season in NFL history, the 1,626 yards would rank 20 th all-time. 5) Ozzie Smith. Featuring current Arizona Cardinals and some of the greatest NFL wide receivers of all time, the best Cardinals WRs include Larry Fitzgerald, DeAndre Hopkins, Anquan Boldin, Frank Sanders, Roy Green, and Rob Moore. Don Hutson 5. He finished with 986 yards in 1988. When it comes to wide receivers, the Cardinals know how to pick them. Logos were compiled by the amazing SportsLogos.net. He had 217 receiving yards in his first game, and he had an additional four more games of at least 100 yards on his way to winning the Offensive Rookie of the Year award. Altogether, in his five seasons, Moore caught 322 passes for 5,110 yards and 27 touchdowns. Or write about sports? Pat Tilley was just 5'10" and 178 pounds when he was selected by the Cardinals in the fourth round of the 1976 NFL Draft. It wasn't until his third season in the league that he made the part-time switch after coaches observed him playing catch in practice. His best rookie game came in Week 6, when he came away with 108 yards and his only two touchdowns of the season in a loss to the Giants. Hes twice led the league in receptions (2005 and 16) and touchdown catches (200809). Question, Comment, Feedback, or Correction? The Cardinals couldn't have known at the time that they had selected the player who would become one of the greatest wide receivers in NFL history. Ricky Proehl made his mark right away after getting selected by the Cardinals in the third round of the 1990 NFL Draft. Give me a break. Thirteen players have taken that a step further by gaining 1,000 yards in a season. Isaac Bruce 15. "They bring a lot of different guys from a lot of different places -- show you one thing and . From 1985 to '90, he caught 377 passes for the team, racking up 4,701 yards and 27 touchdowns. Boldin was honored after the season a second time when he was the only rookie selected to the Pro Bowl. There he spent one season on defense, then was used primarily in the rushing attack for the next two years. Find out more. Jones could be running for his life against a Cardinals defense that blitzes about 50% of the time. His final tally of 1,227 yards set a new single-season franchise record. There was Patrick Willis last March. MVP Theme powered Wordpress. Check out all the action right here in the "Best Of" images from Week 13 of the NFL season! Best Wide Receivers in Arizona Cardinals History Andrew Harner Updated: Jun 27, 2022 Original: Oct 28, 2020 Arizona receivers Michael Floyd (15) and Larry Fitzgerald (11) celebrate after. The Cardinals put up a small bounty to acquire Rob Moore from the Jets, netting the veteran receiver in exchange for their first-round draft pick and running back Ronald Moore. Frequently Asked Questions about the NFL and Football, Pro-Football-Reference.com Blog and Articles. Arizona receivers Michael Floyd (15) and Larry Fitzgerald (11) celebrate after Floyd scored against Washington in 2016. He averaged 20 yards per reception during his tenure. Mel Gray was a two-sport standout at Missouri, and he stayed near school when the Cardinals selected him in the sixth round of the 1971 NFL Draft. Let's celebrate the true elite at one of pro football's most glamorous positions. Among Fitzgerald's franchise records are 1,432 catches for 17,292 yards and 121 touchdowns. The six-time Pro Bowler and Hall of Famer garnered attention with his on-the-field antics, but his skill lands him a spot . 2022 ABG-SI LLC. In the late 90's, the Vikings had Cris Carter (hall of famer), Randy Moss (future hall of famer) and Jake Reed (caught over 1,000 yards for four seasons, was player of the week/month a couple times). 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