NFL Receiving Records

All-time career and single-season receiving records for wide receivers and tight ends

Jerry Rice is the greatest receiver in NFL history, holding the all-time records for career receiving yards (22,895), career receptions (1,549), and career receiving touchdowns (197) — all set with the San Francisco 49ers and Oakland Raiders across a 20-year career (1985–2004). Calvin Johnson holds the single-season receiving yards record with 1,964 yards in 2012. Among active players, Tyreek Hill and DeAndre Hopkins are the top contenders to eventually challenge Rice's all-time marks.

Career Receiving Records

Career Receiving Yards
22,895
Jerry Rice
SF 49ers / OAK Raiders • 1985–2004
Career Receptions
1,549
Jerry Rice
SF 49ers / OAK Raiders • 1985–2004
Career Receiving TDs
197
Jerry Rice
SF 49ers / OAK Raiders • 1985–2004
Single-Season Yards
1,964
Calvin Johnson
Detroit Lions • 2012

Career Receiving Yards — All-Time Leaders

All positions included. Through 2024 NFL season.

Rank Player Pos Yards Rec TD Status
1 Jerry Rice WR 22,895 1,549 197 Retired
2 Larry Fitzgerald WR 17,492 1,432 121 Retired
3 Terrell Owens WR 15,934 1,078 153 Retired
4 Randy Moss WR 15,292 982 156 Retired
5 Isaac Bruce WR 15,208 1,024 91 Retired
6 Torry Holt WR 13,382 920 74 Retired
7 Tony Gonzalez TE 15,127 1,325 111 Retired
8 Marvin Harrison WR 14,580 1,102 128 Retired
9 Reggie Wayne WR 14,345 1,070 82 Retired
10 DeAndre Hopkins WR 13,400+ 976+ 77+ Active

Career Receptions — All-Time Leaders

Rank Player Pos Rec Yards Yds/Rec
1 Jerry Rice WR 1,549 22,895 14.8
2 Larry Fitzgerald WR 1,432 17,492 12.2
3 Tony Gonzalez TE 1,325 15,127 11.4
4 Jason Witten TE 1,228 13,046 10.6
5 Wes Welker WR 903 9,924 11.0
6 Marvin Harrison WR 1,102 14,580 13.2
7 Reggie Wayne WR 1,070 14,345 13.4
8 Terrell Owens WR 1,078 15,934 14.8

Career Receiving TDs — All-Time Leaders

Rank Player Pos Rec TD Years Active
1 Jerry Rice WR 197 1985–2004
2 Randy Moss WR 156 1998–2012
3 Terrell Owens WR 153 1996–2010
4 Cris Carter WR 130 1987–2002
5 Marvin Harrison WR 128 1996–2008
6 Steve Largent WR 100 1976–1989
7 Tony Gonzalez TE 111 1997–2013
8 Antonio Gates TE 116 2003–2018

Tight End Records

All-time receiving records among tight ends specifically.

Category Record Player Team(s) Year/Era
Career Receiving Yards 15,127 Tony Gonzalez KC Chiefs / ATL Falcons 1997–2013
Career Receptions 1,325 Tony Gonzalez KC Chiefs / ATL Falcons 1997–2013
Career TDs 116 Antonio Gates San Diego Chargers 2003–2018
Single-Season Yards 1,648 Travis Kelce Kansas City Chiefs 2020
Single-Season Rec 136 Travis Kelce Kansas City Chiefs 2023
Super Bowl Receiving Yards 215 Jerry Rice SF 49ers Super Bowl XXIII (1989)

Active Receiving Leaders (Through 2024)

Player Pos Career Yards Career Rec Career TDs Age (2025)
Davante Adams WR 11,000+ 820+ 90+ 32
DeAndre Hopkins WR 13,400+ 976+ 77+ 33
Tyreek Hill WR 12,000+ 855+ 80+ 31
Travis Kelce TE 11,300+ 1,000+ 72+ 35
Stefon Diggs WR 9,800+ 750+ 56+ 31

Active stats through 2024 regular season. Updated annually.

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