Next up in our all-time series, where we rank the top 10 players in every major statistical category. After recently wrapping up the NFL’s all-time rushing leaders, we’re now shifting our focus to the air, ranking the league’s all-time receiving yards leaders.
While there’s little debate over who claims the No. 1 spot, the rest of the list is filled with plenty of intrigue. A pair of longtime Colts receivers round out the back end of the rankings after serving as Hall of Fame quarterback Peyton Manning’s top targets throughout his legendary career. We also have the lone tight end on the list checking in at No. 6, redefining the position as one of the game’s premier vertical threats during his era. At No. 2 sits a member of the 2026 Pro Football Hall of Fame class, who spent his entire career with one franchise and became one of the league’s greatest examples of consistency, excellence, and longevity.
With that said, here’s our ranking of the NFL’s top 10 all-time leaders in career receiving yards — list filled with franchise legends, Hall of Famers, and some of the greatest pass catchers the game has ever seen.
10. Reggie Wayne: 14,345 yards
Team: Indianapolis Colts (2001 to 2014)
9. Marvin Harrison: 14,580 yards
Team: Indianapolis Colts (1996 to 2008)
8. Steve Smith Sr.: 14,731 yards
Teams: Carolina Panthers (2001 to 2013) and Baltimore Ravens (2014 to 2016)
7. Tim Brown: 14,934 yards
Teams: Los Angeles Raiders/Oakland Raiders (1988 to 2003) and Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2004)
6. Tony Gonzalez: 15,127 yards
Teams: Kansas City Chiefs (1997 to 2008) and Atlanta Falcons (2009 to 2013)
5. Issac Bruce: 15,208 yards
Teams: Los Angeles Rams/St. Louis Rams (1994 to 2007) and San Francisco (2008 to 2009)
4. Randy Moss: 15,292 yards
Teams: Minnesota Vikings (1998 to 2004, 2010), Oakland Raiders (2005 to 2006), New England Patriots (2007 to 2010), Tennessee Titans (2010), and San Francisco 49ers (2012)
3. Terrell Owens: 15,934 yards
Teams: San Francisco 49ers (1996 to 2003), Philadelphia Eagles (2004 to 2005), Dallas Cowboys (2006 to 2008), Buffalo Bills (2009), and Cincinnati Bengals (2010)
2. Larry Fitzgerald: 17,492 yards
Team: Arizona Cardinals (2004 to 2020)
1. Jerry Rice: 22,895 yards
Teams: San Francisco 49ers (1985 to 2000), Oakland Raiders (2001 to 2004), and Seattle Seahawks (2004)
This article originally appeared on Saints Wire: These are the top-10 receiving yards leaders in NFL history
