Fansided

Ranking the 30 Best NFL QB-WR duos in the modern era

By Brad Weiss

ANAHEIM, CA - CIRCA 1991:Joe Montana (16) of the San Francisco 49ers congratulates Jerry Rice (80) on his TD catch against the Los Angeles Rams at Anaheim Stadium circa 1991 in Anaheim,California on November 25th 1991. (Photo by Owen C. Shaw/Getty Images)
ANAHEIM, CA - CIRCA 1991:Joe Montana (16) of the San Francisco 49ers congratulates Jerry Rice (80) on his TD catch against the Los Angeles Rams at Anaheim Stadium circa 1991 in Anaheim,California on November 25th 1991. (Photo by Owen C. Shaw/Getty Images) /
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NEW ORLEANS, LA – JANUARY 11: Len Dawson #11 of the Kansas City Chiefs huddles up with his offense against the Minnesota Vikings during Super Bowl IV on January 11, 1970, at Tulane Stadium in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Chiefs won the Super Bowl 23-7. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LA – JANUARY 11: Len Dawson #11 of the Kansas City Chiefs huddles up with his offense against the Minnesota Vikings during Super Bowl IV on January 11, 1970, at Tulane Stadium in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Chiefs won the Super Bowl 23-7. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images) /

30 Best NFL QB-WR duos in the modern era

No. 16: Len Dawson and Otis Taylor

Fans of the Kansas City Chiefs have the luxury of watching star quarterback Patrick Mahomes throw it around the yard every week, as he has become arguably the best signal-caller in football. Over 50 years ago, fans of this franchise got to watch another elite quarterback take the helm of the franchise, and that was Len Dawson.

Playing with the Chiefs franchise from 1962 through the 1975 season, Dawson helped the Chiefs go from the gold standard in the AFL, to a Super Bowl champion. Their win in Super Bowl IV put the franchise on the map in terms of the national stage, but long before then, they were dominating the pro football landscape every week.

During his tenure as the quarterback for the Chiefs, Dawson’s main target was Otis Taylor, a player who flourished in his first full season as the WR1 for the franchise. He led the AFL with a 22.4 reception average and would go on to lead the league in touchdowns the following season. In 1971 and 1972, he was named first-team All-Pro.

All told, Dawson and Taylor connected for over 7,300 yards and 57 touchdowns, huge numbers for the way the game was played at the time.

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