Fansided

Top 30 NFL players of the 21st century

By Jarrett Bailey

FOXBORO, MA - DECEMBER 24: Darrelle Revis #24 of the New York Jets reacts with Jordan Jenkins #48 before a game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium on December 24, 2016 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Getty Images)
FOXBORO, MA - DECEMBER 24: Darrelle Revis #24 of the New York Jets reacts with Jordan Jenkins #48 before a game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium on December 24, 2016 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Getty Images) /
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EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY – OCTOBER 11: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) Larry Fitzgerald #11 of the Arizona Cardinals in action against Brian Poole #34 of the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium on October 11, 2020 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Cardinals defeated the Jets 30-10. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY – OCTOBER 11: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) Larry Fitzgerald #11 of the Arizona Cardinals in action against Brian Poole #34 of the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium on October 11, 2020 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Cardinals defeated the Jets 30-10. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) /

17. Larry Fitzgerald

There were several receivers who made their mark in the 2000s. There were plenty of receivers who dominated the 2010s- Larry Fitzgerald did both.

Fitzgerald made four Pro Bowl teams in the 2000s, and seven in the 2010s. He led the NFl in receptions in his second year in 2005, catching 103 passes for over 1,400 yards and 10 touchdowns. In ’08, Fitzgerald had an incredible regular season, but his postseason was the stuff of legend.

He was named First-Team All-pro for his 96 catches and leading the NFL with 12 touchdown receptions, but he took it to a whole other gear in the postseason. He caught 30 passes for over 500 yards and seven touchdowns in the Cardinals four playoff games. If not for last second heroics by Ben Roehtlisberger and Santonio Holmes, Fitzgerald would have dragged the Cardinals to a Super Bowl win.

Eight years later in 2016, Fitzgerald was still at the top of his game. He led the NFL with 107 catches, one year after putting up 109. He seemed to get better with age, and currently sits at No. 2 all time in receiving yards. He is a certain first ballot Hall of Famer when the time comes.

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