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Jerry Rice and the receiving record: the safest pick on the ladder
If Jerry Rice appears in a receiving matchup, you can stop thinking. He holds the top total in all three receiving categories on the ladder, and the margins are not close.
| Category | Jerry Rice | Next highest on the ladder | Rice’s lead |
|---|---|---|---|
| Receiving yards | 22,895 | Terrell Owens (15,934) | +6,961 (44%) |
| Receptions | 1,549 | Tony Gonzalez (1,325) | +224 (17%) |
| Receiving touchdowns | 197 | Randy Moss (156) | +41 (26%) |
In receiving yards, Rice’s 22,895 is 44% more than Terrell Owens, who is second on the ladder. That gap of 6,961 yards is larger than the entire distance from second place (Owens) down to tenth place (Andre Johnson, 14,185), which is only 1,749 yards.
The real puzzle is everyone else
Take Rice out and the receiver list becomes one of the tightest on the ladder. Positions two through five in receiving yards (Owens, Randy Moss, Isaac Bruce and Tony Gonzalez) are packed between 15,127 and 15,934, a spread of about 5%. Behind them, Tim Brown (14,934), Steve Smith Sr. (14,731), Marvin Harrison (14,580), Reggie Wayne (14,345) and Andre Johnson (14,185) are all within 750 yards of each other.
Yards per catch tells the style
Dividing yards by receptions separates the deep threats from the possession receivers. Randy Moss leads at 15.6 yards per catch, ahead of Isaac Bruce at 14.9, and Rice and Owens, who both average 14.8. At the other end, Tony Gonzalez averages 11.4 and Antonio Gates 12.4, the two lowest figures, which fits tight ends working shorter routes.
That matters for questions about receptions. Moss ranks third in receiving yards and second in receiving touchdowns, but only 11th of 13 in receptions (982). If a matchup pairs Moss with a receiver who has fewer yards, do not assume Moss also has more catches. He gained more yards on each one.
Quick rules for receiver matchups
- Rice wins every category. Take him without hesitation.
- For receptions, tight end Tony Gonzalez (1,325) is second on the ladder. Only Rice has more.
- For touchdowns, favor Moss, Owens, Cris Carter and Marvin Harrison over players with similar yardage.
- When two players have nearly identical yardage, pick the one with the longer career, then check how much of the offense he carried.
See every number in the receivers table, or play a round.