NFL RecordsNFL All-Time Reception Leaders
Top 25 career receptions leaders (regular season only)
| Rank | Player | Rec | Yards | TDs | Years Active | Pos | Teams |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jerry Rice | 1,549 | 22,895 | 197 | 1985–2004 | WR | SF, OAK, SEA |
| 2 | Larry Fitzgerald | 1,432 | 17,492 | 121 | 2004–2020 | WR | ARI |
| 3 | Tony Gonzalez | 1,325 | 15,127 | 111 | 1997–2013 | TE | KC, ATL |
| 4 | Jason Witten | 1,228 | 13,046 | 74 | 2003–2020 | TE | DAL, LV |
| 5 | Marvin Harrison | 1,102 | 14,580 | 128 | 1996–2008 | WR | IND |
| 6 | Reggie Wayne | 1,070 | 14,345 | 82 | 2001–2016 | WR | IND |
| 7 | Wes Welker | 903 | 9,924 | 50 | 2004–2015 | WR | MIA, NE, DEN, STL, WAS |
| 8 | Torry Holt | 920 | 13,382 | 74 | 1999–2009 | WR | STL, JAX |
| 9 | Tim Brown | 1,094 | 14,934 | 100 | 1988–2004 | WR | LA/OAK, TB |
| 10 | Isaac Bruce | 1,024 | 15,208 | 91 | 1994–2009 | WR | STL, SF |
| 11 | Brandon Marshall | 970 | 12,351 | 83 | 2006–2018 | WR | Multiple |
| 12 | Anquan Boldin | 1,076 | 13,779 | 82 | 2003–2017 | WR | ARI, BAL, SF, DET, BUF, NO |
| 13 | Antonio Gates | 955 | 11,841 | 116 | 2003–2018 | TE | SD/LAC |
| 14 | Julio Jones | 848 | 13,330 | 60 | 2011–2023 | WR | ATL, TEN, TB |
| 15 | Antonio Brown | 928 | 12,291 | 83 | 2010–2021 | WR | PIT, OAK, NE, TB |
| 16 | Rod Smith | 849 | 11,389 | 68 | 1995–2006 | WR | DEN |
| 17 | Steve Smith Sr. | 1,031 | 14,731 | 81 | 2001–2016 | WR | CAR, BAL |
| 18 | Shannon Sharpe | 815 | 10,060 | 62 | 1990–2003 | TE | DEN, BAL |
| 19 | Travis Kelce | 1,079 | 12,078 | 72 | 2013–present | TE | KC |
| 20 | Davante Adams | 757 | 9,823 | 83 | 2014–present | WR | GB, LV |
| 21 | Frank Gore | 590 | 4,621 | 17 | 2005–2020 | RB | SF, IND, MIA, BUF, NYJ |
| 22 | Hines Ward | 1,000 | 12,083 | 85 | 1998–2011 | WR | PIT |
| 23 | Derrick Mason | 943 | 12,061 | 66 | 1997–2011 | WR | TEN, BAL, NYJ, HOU |
| 24 | Cris Carter | 1,101 | 13,899 | 130 | 1987–2002 | WR | PHI, MIN, MIA |
| 25 | Keenan Allen | 807 | 9,403 | 52 | 2013–present | WR | SD/LAC, CHI |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who has the most receptions in NFL history?
Jerry Rice holds the NFL all-time record with 1,549 career receptions over his 20-year career, primarily with the San Francisco 49ers. Rice also leads all-time in receiving yards (22,895) and receiving touchdowns (197), making him the universally recognized greatest wide receiver in NFL history.
How many receptions did Larry Fitzgerald make in his career?
Larry Fitzgerald finished his career with 1,432 receptions over 17 seasons, all with the Arizona Cardinals. He is second all-time in career receptions and also ranks in the top five in career receiving yards with over 17,000 yards. Fitzgerald was known for his elite route running and sure hands.
Who holds the record for most receptions in a single season?
Michael Thomas of the New Orleans Saints set the NFL record for receptions in a single season with 149 catches in 2019. He broke Marvin Harrison's previous record of 143 receptions set in 2002. Thomas earned unanimous All-Pro honors that season.
How many receptions did Tony Gonzalez make in his career?
Tony Gonzalez recorded 1,325 career receptions over 17 seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs and Atlanta Falcons, making him third all-time. He is widely considered the greatest tight end in NFL history and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2019.