The top 10 Rookie Wide Reciever Seasons in NFL History

By Jason Bolton July 15, 2024 06:55

Photo by Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Throughout the rich history of the NFL, rookie wide receivers have done a lot and still made explosive entrances that left us all with unforgettable memories and moments. This is our list of the NFL's ten all-time rookie wide receiver seasons, including what made each especially great and where those records still stand.

1. Anquan Boldin, 2003 Arizona Cardinals

Rookie stats: 101 receptions for 1,377 yards

Former quarterback Anquan Boldin made one of the most impressive transitions to wide receiver ever, catching 101 balls as a rookie and setting an NFL record. Boldin silenced critics by setting an NFL record with a 217-yard debut game, dismissing fears about his speed. There is no question that Boldin's record-setting rookie year will go down as one of the best catching seasons by a rookie in Arizona Cardinals history.

2. Bill Groman, 1960 Houston Oilers

Rookie stats: 72 receptions for 1,473 yards and three touchdowns

Bill Groman's rookie season in the AFL deserves an honorable mention. That year, Groman caught a rookie record of 1,473 receiving yards. His contribution was instrumental in guiding the Houston Oilers to the AFL Championship, cementing his name among the greats of NFL history.

3. Percy Harvins, 2009 Minnesota Vikings

Rookie stats: 60 catches for 790 yards and six touchdowns

Surely, Percy Harvin was one of the most dynamic players in college football during his freshman season, and that value also extended to traditional receiving concerns. His willingness to help in all areas of the game, from kick returns to being a versatile runner, were two key reasons for the Viking's success, which had them one game away from playing in their home stadium.

4. Cris Collinsworth, 1981 Cincinnati Bengals

Rookie stats: : 67 receptions for 1,009 yards

His first year in the league showed he could be a reliable receiver, giving him Pro Bowl and All-Pro honors. That combination of size, speed, and an ability to move past cornerbacks instantly made him a key piece for the Cincinnati Bengals. Indeed, his three straight seasons averaging over 100 yards/punt return clinched it and put Jackson on track toward a successful career paired with near-mythical Super Bowl heartbreaks.

5. Randy Moss, 1998 Minnesota Vikings

Rookie stats: 69 catches for 1,313 yards and 17 touchdowns

Moss burst increasingly onto the NFL scene with a sizzling rookie season in which he caught 69 passes for an NFL freshman record 1,313 yards, an astounding, especially considering his age league-leading 17 touchdowns. The aftermath of his impact changed the face of the Vikings offense and solidified his status as one of the greatest deep threats in NFL history.

6. Odell Beckham Jr., 2014 New York Giants

Rookie stats: 91 catches for 1,305 yards and 12 touchdowns

Odell Beckham Jr. Beckham may have only played 12 games, but anybody who watched him averaged 108.8 receiving yards per game proved just how special he was.

7. A.J. Green, 2011 Cincinnati Bengals

Rookie stats: 65 receptions for 1,057 yards

A fast start to A.J. Green's career offered a glimpse of what he could be at wide receiver early on as a rookie. A former first-round pick with a knack for being a game-changer on the field with Cincinnati carried him to multiple Pro Bowl honors and long-term team success.

8. Joey Galloway, 1995 Seattle Seahawks

Rookie stats: 72 receptions for 1,039 yards and 11 touchdowns

Joey Galloway's rookie year showed flashes of the explosiveness that characterized his playmaking ability, as he led his Seahawks with 11 TDS and 1072 total receiving yards. The rookie season was the foundation for a career in which he became one of those dynamic playmakers that are so popular around these parts now.

9. Mike Evans, 2014 Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Rookie stats: 68 1,051 yards and 12 touchdowns

His performance in his debut season paved the way for a career characterized by steady play, which played an important role in the Buccaneers' NFL top offense.