For the top five receiver duos in NFL history, we need to set some guidelines. First, I am bias towards modern NFL players, and by modern I mean around 1985 to current. Let’s face it, players are bigger, stronger, and faster then they used to be, and so is their competition. So I feel like common sense tells me the modern player is better. Second, I didn’t want to put a player on here more then once. For example, you could make an argument that Jerry Rice could be on this list three times. I’m sure I will get some hostile feed back on this article, but that’s what makes it fun!
5. Jimmy Smith/Keenan McCardell
In 1995 the Jacksonville Jaguars had their inaugural season and signed Jimmy Smith who wasn’t on anyone’s radar at the time. The next season they signed Keenan McCardell who also wasn’t on to many people’s radar. Together however the ended up forming one of the greatest duos in history. Catching passes from Mark Brunell, neither was considered a superstar, but still great receivers with Smith being the better of the two. Playing together for 6 seasons they combined for six pro bowls, and nine 1,000 yard receiving seasons. Fun side note that many don’t know, Smith won a Superbowl with the Cowboys in 92.
4. Isaac Bruce/Torry Holt
Issac Bruce was already an established pro bowl receiver when the Rams drafted Torry Holt in 99. Playing together for nine seasons. In that time they combined for 10 pro bowls, and 16 times they went over 1,000 yards receiving. Being intricate parts of the ” greatest show on turf”.
3. Jerry Rice/Terrell Owens
This is where it kind of gets tricky. A lot of people would say John Taylor instead of Owens, but Owens was so much better. Go look at the numbers. At the time Rice and Owens played together a lot of people thought Rice was starting to decline due to his production dropping. Really it was just a result of Owens being so good and getting the ball. Rice proved he had plenty left in the tank when he left the 49ers for Oakland. In the five seasons these San Francisco treats played together they combined for four pro bowls. Two of which were monster seasons from Owens. Totaling over 1,400 yards recieving in both. While pulling in 13 touchdowns in one season while and 16 touchdowns in the other. They were the hardest of the top five NFL receiver duos in NFL history for me now to place.
2. Marvin Harrison/Reggie Wayne
Not much to explain here. With Peyton Manning running the show these two combined for 14 pro bowls and 16 seasons over 1,000 yards recieving. Harrison had 10 or more touchdown catches eight times. My favorite part however is they both played their entire careers in Indianapolis.
1. Cris Carter/Randy Moss
In 1998 the Minnesota Vikings had one of the greatest wide receivers all-time on their team in Cris Carter. Then they hit the lottery and had the greatest receiver all-time fall to them in the draft at the 21st pick. Yes I believe Moss is the greatest all- time and it took him no time to hit his stride. They only played four seasons together. Both making the pro bowl Moss’s first three seasons for a combined six total. Moss’s numbers in those four seasons are mind blowing. With 5,500 yards recieving and 53 touchdowns.