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Top 25 NFL wide receivers of the 21st century

SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - NOVEMBER 19: Larry Fitzgerald #11 of the Arizona Cardinals stands on the side of the field during their game against the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field on November 19, 2020 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images)
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - NOVEMBER 19: Larry Fitzgerald #11 of the Arizona Cardinals stands on the side of the field during their game against the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field on November 19, 2020 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images)
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NASHVILLE, TN – DECEMBER 28: Wide receiver Reggie Wayne #87 of the Indianapolis Colts carries the ball after making a catch against the Tennessee Titans during the second quarter of a game at LP Field on December 28, 2014 in Nashville, Tennessee. The reception gave quarterback Andrew Luck the record for most passing yards by a Colts quarterback, surpassing Peyton Manning. (Photo by Frederick Breedon/Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TN – DECEMBER 28: Wide receiver Reggie Wayne #87 of the Indianapolis Colts carries the ball after making a catch against the Tennessee Titans during the second quarter of a game at LP Field on December 28, 2014 in Nashville, Tennessee. The reception gave quarterback Andrew Luck the record for most passing yards by a Colts quarterback, surpassing Peyton Manning. (Photo by Frederick Breedon/Getty Images)

10. Reggie Wayne

To many, Reggie Wayne was the Robin to Marvin Harrison’s Batman. In a lot of ways, though, the Colts just had two Batmen playing receiver. It took a couple years for Wayne to become a go-to target in the Colts offense, but when he did, he took them to the next level.

He caught 77 passes for over 1,200 yards and 12 touchdowns in Peyton Manning’s record-breaking 2004 season, and followed it up with 83 catches in 2005. Wayne earned his first Pro Bowl selection in 2006, catching 86 passes for over 1,300 yards and nine touchdowns. He made five consecutive Pro Bowls from 2006-10.

In 2007, he led the NFL in receiving yards with 1,510, along with 104 catches and 10 touchdowns. When Peyton Manning was released and left for Denver, Wayne continued his success and became Andrew Luck’s favorite target. He caught a career-high 106 passes in 2012 for over 1,300 yards and made his sixth, and final, Pro Bowl.

Wayne retired with 1,070 receptions and over 14,000 receiving yards. It’s only a matter of when, not if, he will get into the Hall of Fame. Expect it to be sooner than later.

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