Fansided

20 best wide receiver seasons in NFL history

By Russell S. Baxter

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)
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) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
19 of 20
Next
Minnesota Vikings receiver Randy Moss (C) celebrates his 51 yard touchdown reception on the fourth play of the game versus the Dallas Cowboys at Texas Stadium in Irving, TX, 26 November. At left is teammate Robert Smith. AFP PHOTO/PAUL BUCK (Photo by PAUL BUCK / AFP) (Photo by PAUL BUCK/AFP via Getty Images)
Minnesota Vikings receiver Randy Moss (C) celebrates his 51 yard touchdown reception on the fourth play of the game versus the Dallas Cowboys at Texas Stadium in Irving, TX, 26 November. At left is teammate Robert Smith. AFP PHOTO/PAUL BUCK (Photo by PAUL BUCK / AFP) (Photo by PAUL BUCK/AFP via Getty Images) /

2. Randy Moss, Vikings (1998)

In 1998, Minnesota Vikings rookie wide receiver Randy Moss simply exploded onto the NFL scene. He had dropped to 21st overall in April’s draft due to some off the field concerns. However, the only issues that anyone had during his rookie campaign was finding a way to keep him under wraps.

In the club’s Week 1 win over the visiting Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Moss burned Tony Dungy’s defense for four catches, good for 95 yards and a pair of scores. In Week 5 on a Monday night in Green Bay, he pulled down five passes for 190 yards and two more scores in a 37-24 triumph. That victory ended the Packers’ 29-game overall winning streak at Lambeau Field.

Moss got better as the season wore on and got plenty of help from a balanced offense that featured stars such as wideout Cris Carter and running back Robert Smith. In a resounding win at Dallas on Thanksgiving Day, Moss burned the Cowboys for three TD receptions that covered 51, 56 and 56 yards, respectively.

The season ended with the young receiver earning Pro Bowl, All-Pro and NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year honors. Moss finished with 69 catches for 1,313 Yards (19.0 average) and 17 touchdowns. He added 10 receptions for 148 yards and two more scores in the club’s playoff split with the Cardinals and Falcons.

Next: No. 1

Home/NFL