Fansided

Best quarterback/wide receiver duos in NFL history

By Staff

INDIANAPOLIS - NOVEMBER 16: Peyton Manning No. 18 of the Indianapolis Colts celebrates the touchdown of Marvin Harrison No. 88 for a 30-20 lead over the Houston Texans during the fourth quarter at Lucas Oil Stadium on November 16, 2008 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS - NOVEMBER 16: Peyton Manning No. 18 of the Indianapolis Colts celebrates the touchdown of Marvin Harrison No. 88 for a 30-20 lead over the Houston Texans during the fourth quarter at Lucas Oil Stadium on November 16, 2008 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /
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San Diego Chargers head coach Sid Gillman congratulates flanker Lance Alworth (19) and quarterback John Hadl (21) following a 31-14 victory over the Houston Oilers on October 3, 1965, at Balboa Stadium in San Diego, California. (Photo by Charles Aqua Viva/Getty Images)
San Diego Chargers head coach Sid Gillman congratulates flanker Lance Alworth (19) and quarterback John Hadl (21) following a 31-14 victory over the Houston Oilers on October 3, 1965, at Balboa Stadium in San Diego, California. (Photo by Charles Aqua Viva/Getty Images) /

12. John Hadl and Lance Alworth

When the Chargers brought in Dan Fouts in 1973, he was actually replacing another really good quarterback named John Hadl. San Diego let Hadl walk to the Los Angeles Rams before he was eventually traded to the Green Bay Packers.

But before he left San Diego, Hadl found security in the hands of wide receiver Lance Alworth. Hadl was the No. 10 overall pick out of Kansas in the 1962 NFL Draft, but two picks before the Chargers drafted him, they drafted Alworth at No. 8 out of Arkansas.

After a slow rookie season for Alworth, he went off for 11 touchdowns and 1,205 receiving yards. Coincidentally, Hadl had his first two years go differently. His passing touchdowns dropped from 15 to just six in his first two years.

By 1964, Hadl and Alworth were grooving together. Alworth strung together three-straight seasons of leading the NFL in receiving touchdowns.

Their best season together came in 1968 when Hadl rocketed 27 touchdowns and threw for 3,473 yards — both led the NFL and were career highs for Hadl. Alworth caught 10 touchdowns and led the league with 1,312  receiving yards on 68 receptions.

Hadl and Alworth hooked up for 56 touchdowns together. They were the first duo of their kind. Both were drafted in the top-10 picks of the same NFL Draft, and they didn’t disappoint.

It would be extremely difficult to imagine an NFL team doing what the Chargers did then. With as much stock as there is being put into the draft, selecting a quarterback and wide receiver within the top-10 picks just hasn’t happened. It’s hard enough to land two top-10 picks as it is.

They were a one-of-a-kind pair.

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