The top 10 Rookie Wide Reciever Seasons in NFL History

The top 10 Rookie Wide Reciever Seasons in NFL History

The top 10 Rookie Wide Reciever Seasons in NFL History

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 receptions for 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.

10. Marques Colston, 2006 New Orleans Saints

Rookie Season Stats: 70 catches for 1,038 yards and eight touchdowns

A solid receiver in the Saints' offense, Colston made an immediate splash and delivered ten years of production with New Orleans. 


LATEST

  • NEWS
  • |
  • ARTICLES
  • |
  • VIDEOS
img_articles

How Did They Do? The 2024 NFL Draft's Top RBs

img_articles

Looking ahead to the 2025 season

img_articles

A look back on the 2024 season

img_articles

Cream of the Crop: Who's the top QB in the 2025...

img_articles

A different look at Patrick Mahomes

img_articles

Revisiting the worst NFL trade

img_articles

Who's QB1? The 2024 NFL Draft Class

img_articles

Maybe next year Josh

img_articles

The state of the Pro Bowl

img_articles

The Chiefs are Inevitable

img_articles

Patrick Mahomes is now one step closer to the GOAT

img_articles

Where do the Bills go from here?

img_articles

The Commanders should be thrilled about their s...

img_articles

Ascend to Descend: What happened to Desmond Rid...

img_articles

Heavy Bags For A Head Honcho: Mike McCarthy's N...

img_articles

Bags in New York? How Much Is Tommy DeVito Earn...

img_articles

Meet Tommy DevIto's Parents, Tom and Alexandra

img_articles

Owner's Fortune: How Much Is John Mara's Net Wo...

img_articles

A deep dive into Mark Andrews

img_articles

Who Will Win the Super Bowl? Favorites, Sleeper...

img_articles

Defining moments in the Divisional round

img_articles

A rookie year to remember

img_articles

Same old Lion

img_articles

From the Field to the Screen: Brandon Marshall'...

img_articles

The Chiefs Incredible Run

img_articles

Is this a crucial year for Lamar Jackson?

img_articles

Where do the Vikings go from here?

img_articles

A season to remember

img_articles

Deshaun Watson, an unfortunate legacy

img_articles

It’s playoff time

img_articles

Checking In With Signings: Ezekiel Elliott's Ne...

img_articles

Big Deals with the Broncos: Sean Payton's Net W...

img_articles

An ego problem in sports

img_articles

The sitting out situation

img_articles

Rockin' with a Raven: Meet Lamar Jackson's Girl...

img_articles

The NFL has an officiating problem

img_articles

Leave Caleb Williams Alone

img_articles

Big Money in The Bay: How Much Did Jimmy Garopp...

img_articles

Securing the Bag: Ben Roethlisberger's Earnings...

img_articles

Where are the Raiders going?

img_articles

Are the Ravens for real?

img_articles

Homeless to Heroes: Saquon Barkley's parents an...

img_articles

Family Ties: Deion and Shedeur Sanders to join ...

img_articles

Picking the pass rusher: Travis Hunter might en...

img_articles

Eli Manning 2.0? Shedeur Sanders set to play fo...

img_articles

No longer patient: Cowboys set to trade up for ...

img_articles

Giants in the 2025 NFL Draft: Will they select ...

img_articles

Are the Raiders set to draft Shedeur Sanders?

img_articles

What we learned in Lions-Bills matchup

img_articles

The Future Is Now - Jayden Daniels Is Ready To ...

FAN ARCH PODCAST NETWORK