20 best wide receiver seasons in NFL history

NEW ORLEANS, LA - JANUARY 28: Jerry Rice #80 of the San Francisco 49ers celebrates with teammates after he scored a touchdown against the Denver Broncos during Super Bowl XXIV on January 28, 1990 at the Super Dome in New Orleans, LA. The 49ers won the Super Bowl 55-10. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images) /

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NASHVILLE, TN – DECEMBER 22: Michael Thomas #13 of the New Orleans Saints runs with the ball during an NFL football game against the Tennessee Titans, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2019, in Nashville, Tenn. Thomas set the NFL’s single-season receptions record with his 11th reception. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images) /

11. Michael Thomas, Saints (2019)

He put up some astounding numbers in his first four NFL seasons. Talented Ohio State wide receiver Michael Thomas was a second-round selection (47th overall) in 2016 by the New Orleans Saints. He would certainly thrive in Sean Payton’s offensive system and with quarterback Drew Brees getting him the football. The former Buckeye standout did not disappoint and saw his statistics increase on a yearly basis.

He totaled 92 receptions as a rookie, followed by 104 and 125 catches, respectively, in 2017 and ’18. The yardage totals in those first three years read 1,137, 1,245 and 1,405.

In 2019, Thomas would put up incredible numbers that earned him NFL Offensive Player of the Year honors. He finished the season with an NFL-record 149 catches, breaking the previous mark of 143 set by Colts’ wideout Marvin Harrison in 2002. He totaled at least 10 receptions in nine of his 16 outings. Thomas led the league with 1,725 receiving yards and totaled nine TD grabs.

However, it was a season that ended after just one playoff game as the club was knocked off at home in overtime by the Minnesota Vikings. In that contest, Thomas finished with seven catches for 70 yards.

Next: No. 10

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