Misplaced Pages

List of NFL annual receiving yards leaders

Article snapshot taken from Wikipedia with creative commons attribution-sharealike license. Give it a read and then ask your questions in the chat. We can research this topic together.

Don Hutson led the NFL in receiving yards a record seven times with the Green Bay Packers.

In American football, passing, along with running (also referred to as rushing), is one of the two main methods of advancing the ball down the field. Passes are typically attempted by the quarterback, but any offensive player can attempt a pass provided they are behind the line of scrimmage. To qualify as a passing play, the ball must have initially moved forward after leaving the hands of the passer; if the ball initially moved laterally or backwards, the play would instead be considered a running play. A player who catches a forward pass is a receiver, and the number of receiving yards each player has recorded in each season is a recorded stat in football games. In addition to the overall National Football League (NFL) receiving champion, league record books recognize statistics from the American Football League (AFL), which operated from 1960 to 1969 before being absorbed into the NFL in 1970.

The NFL did not begin keeping official records until the 1932 season. The average yards the leader has gained has increased over time – since the adoption of the 14-game season in 1961, all but one season saw the receiving leader record over 1,000 yards. No player has ever finished with over 2,000 receiving yards in a season; the current record is 1,964 yards, set by Calvin Johnson during the 2012 season. Wes Chandler, who led the league with 1,032 yards in the strike-shortened 1982 season, averaged 129 yards receiving per game, an NFL record.

Don Hutson led the league in receiving yards seven times, the most of any player; Jerry Rice is second with six. Hutson also recorded the most consecutive seasons leading the league in receiving, doing so for five seasons from 1941 to 1945, while Jerry Rice ranks second with three consecutive league-leading seasons from 1993 to 1995; they are the only players to lead the league in yards in more than four seasons. A Green Bay Packers player has led the league in receiving yards eleven times, the most in the NFL; the Los Angeles/St. Louis Rams rank second with nine league-leading seasons. The most recent receiving yards leader was Tyreek Hill of the Miami Dolphins, who recorded 1,799 receiving yards during the 2023 season.

NFL season receiving yards leaders

Bob Mann was the NFL's receiving yards leader in 1949, and the third player to lead the league in receiving while recording over 1,000 yards.
Elroy Hirsch, a Pro Football Hall of Fame member, led the league in receiving yards in 1951, recording 1,495 yards over a 12-game season.
Future US Congressman Steve Largent led the league in receiving yards twice during his Hall of Fame career.
Wes Chandler led the league in 1982, when he averaged an NFL-record 129 yards per game during the strike-shortened season.
Hall of Fame member Jerry Rice, the NFL's all-time receiving yards leader, led the league in receiving yards six times over his career.
Marvin Harrison was the NFL's receiving yards leader twice over his career.
Calvin Johnson led the league in receiving yards in 2011 and followed it up by setting the league record for receiving yards in 2012.
Antonio Brown led the league with 1,698 receiving yards in 2014.
Julio Jones led the league in 2015 with 1,871 yards and again in 2018 with 1,677 yards.
Key
Symbol Meaning
Leader The player who recorded the most receiving yards in the NFL
Yds Total receiving yards
GP The number of games that the player participated in during that season
^ Pro Football Hall of Fame member
* The player is an active player
# Player set the single-season receiving yards record
† Player won the AP Most Valuable Player award in the same year
‡ Player won the AP Offensive Player of the Year award in the same year
List of National Football League (NFL) single-season receiving yards leaders
Leader Player Team Yds GP Ref(s)
1932 Ray Flaherty New York Giants 350 12
1933 Paul Moss Pittsburgh Pirates 283 10
1934 Harry Ebding Detroit Lions 264 12
1935 Charley Malone Boston Redskins 433 11
1936 Don Hutson Green Bay Packers 536 12
1937 Gaynell Tinsley Chicago Cardinals 675 11
1938 Don Hutson (2) Green Bay Packers 548 10
1939 Don Hutson (3) Green Bay Packers 846 11
1940 Don Looney Philadelphia Eagles 707 11
1941 Don Hutson (4) Green Bay Packers 738 11
1942 Don Hutson (5) Green Bay Packers 1,211 11
1943 Don Hutson (6) Green Bay Packers 776 10
1944 Don Hutson (7) Green Bay Packers 866 10
1945 Jim Benton Cleveland Rams 1,067 9
1946 Jim Benton (2) Los Angeles Rams 981 11
1947 Mal Kutner Chicago Cardinals 944 12
1948 Mal Kutner (2) Chicago Cardinals 943 12
1949 Bob Mann Detroit Lions 1,014 12
1950 Tom Fears Los Angeles Rams 1,116 12
1951 Elroy Hirsch Los Angeles Rams 1,495 12
1952 Billy Howton Green Bay Packers 1,231 12
1953 Pete Pihos Philadelphia Eagles 1,049 12
1954 Bob Boyd Los Angeles Rams 1,212 12
1955 Pete Pihos (2) Philadelphia Eagles 864 12
1956 Billy Howton (2) Green Bay Packers 1,188 12
1957 Raymond Berry Baltimore Colts 800 12
1958 Del Shofner Los Angeles Rams 1,097 12
1959 Raymond Berry (2) Baltimore Colts 959 12
1960 Raymond Berry (3) Baltimore Colts 1,298 12
1961 Tommy McDonald Philadelphia Eagles 1,144 14
1962 Bobby Mitchell Washington Redskins 1,384 14
1963 Bobby Mitchell (2) Washington Redskins 1,436 14
1964 Johnny Morris Chicago Bears 1,200 14
1965 Dave Parks San Francisco 49ers 1,344 14
1966 Pat Studstill Detroit Lions 1,266 14
1967 Ben Hawkins Philadelphia Eagles 1,265 14
1968 Roy Jefferson Pittsburgh Steelers 1,074 14
1969 Harold Jackson Philadelphia Eagles 1,116 14
1970 Gene Washington San Francisco 49ers 1,100 13
1971 Otis Taylor Kansas City Chiefs 1,110 14
1972 Harold Jackson (2) Philadelphia Eagles 1,048 14
1973 Harold Carmichael Philadelphia Eagles 1,116 14
1974 Cliff Branch Oakland Raiders 1,092 14
1975 Ken Burrough Houston Oilers 1,063 14
1976 Roger Carr Baltimore Colts 1,112 14
1977 Drew Pearson Dallas Cowboys 870 14
1978 Wesley Walker New York Jets 1,169 16
1979 Steve Largent Seattle Seahawks 1,237 15
1980 John Jefferson San Diego Chargers 1,340 16
1981 Alfred Jenkins Atlanta Falcons 1,358 16
1982 Wes Chandler San Diego Chargers 1,032 8
1983 Mike Quick Philadelphia Eagles 1,409 16
1984 Roy Green St. Louis Cardinals 1,555 16
1985 Steve Largent (2) Seattle Seahawks 1,287 16
1986 Jerry Rice San Francisco 49ers 1,570 15
1987 J. T. Smith St. Louis Cardinals 1,117 15
1988 Henry Ellard Los Angeles Rams 1,414 16
1989 Jerry Rice (2) San Francisco 49ers 1,483 16
1990 Jerry Rice (3) San Francisco 49ers 1,502 16
1991 Michael Irvin Dallas Cowboys 1,523 16
1992 Sterling Sharpe Green Bay Packers 1,461 16
1993 Jerry Rice‡ (4) San Francisco 49ers 1,503 16
1994 Jerry Rice (5) San Francisco 49ers 1,499 16
1995 Jerry Rice (6) San Francisco 49ers 1,848 16
1996 Isaac Bruce St. Louis Rams 1,338 16
1997 Rob Moore Arizona Cardinals 1,584 16
1998 Antonio Freeman Green Bay Packers 1,424 15
1999 Marvin Harrison Indianapolis Colts 1,663 16
2000 Torry Holt St. Louis Rams 1,635 16
2001 David Boston Arizona Cardinals 1,598 16
2002 Marvin Harrison (2) Indianapolis Colts 1,722 16
2003 Torry Holt (2) St. Louis Rams 1,696 16
2004 Muhsin Muhammad Carolina Panthers 1,405 16
2005 Steve Smith Carolina Panthers 1,563 16
2006 Chad Johnson Cincinnati Bengals 1,369 16
2007 Reggie Wayne Indianapolis Colts 1,510 16
2008 Andre Johnson Houston Texans 1,575 16
2009 Andre Johnson (2) Houston Texans 1,569 16
2010 Brandon Lloyd Denver Broncos 1,448 16
2011 Calvin Johnson Detroit Lions 1,681 16
2012 Calvin Johnson (2) Detroit Lions 1,964 16
2013 Josh Gordon Cleveland Browns 1,646 14
2014 Antonio Brown Pittsburgh Steelers 1,698 16
2015 Julio Jones Atlanta Falcons 1,871 16
2016 T. Y. Hilton Indianapolis Colts 1,448 16
2017 Antonio Brown (2) Pittsburgh Steelers 1,533 14
2018 Julio Jones (2) Atlanta Falcons 1,677 16
2019 Michael Thomas‡ New Orleans Saints 1,725 16
2020 Stefon Diggs Buffalo Bills 1,535 16
2021 Cooper Kupp ‡ Los Angeles Rams 1,947 17
2022 Justin Jefferson Minnesota Vikings 1,809 17
2023 Tyreek Hill Miami Dolphins 1,799 16

Historical records for most receiving yards in one season

Records held for most receiving yards in a single season
Season Player Team Receiving Yards Games Played Reign
1932 Ray Flaherty^ New York Giants 350 12 3 years
1935 Charley Malone Boston Redskins 433 11 1 year
1936 Don Hutson^ Green Bay Packers 536 12 1 year
1937 Gaynell Tinsley Chicago Cardinals 675 11 2 years
1939 Don Hutson^ Green Bay Packers 846 11 3 years
1942 Don Hutson^ Green Bay Packers 1,211 11 9 years
1951 Elroy Hirsch^ Los Angeles Rams 1,495 12 33 years
1984 Roy Green St. Louis Cardinals 1,555 16 2 years
1986 Jerry Rice^ San Francisco 49ers 1,570 15 9 years
1995 Jerry Rice^ San Francisco 49ers 1,848 16 17 years
2012 Calvin Johnson^ Detroit Lions 1,964 16 Since 2012

AFL receiving yards leaders

Key
Symbol Meaning
Player The player who recorded the most receiving yards in the AFL
Yds Total receiving yards
GP The number of games that the player participated in during that season
^ Pro Football Hall of Fame member
List of AFL receiving yards leaders by season
Season Player Team Yds GP Ref(s)
1960 Bill Groman Houston Oilers 1,473 14
1961 Charley Hennigan Houston Oilers 1,746 14
1962 Art Powell New York Titans 1,130 14
1963 Art Powell (2) Oakland Raiders 1,304 14
1964 Charley Hennigan (2) Houston Oilers 1,546 14
1965 Lance Alworth San Diego Chargers 1,602 14
1966 Lance Alworth (2) San Diego Chargers 1,383 13
1967 Don Maynard New York Jets 1,434 14
1968 Lance Alworth (3) San Diego Chargers 1,312 14
1969 Warren Wells Oakland Raiders 1,260 14

See also

Notes

  1. "Beginner's Guide to Football". National Football League. Archived from the original on February 16, 2011. Retrieved September 30, 2012.
  2. Brinson, Will (December 31, 2013). "NFL, Elias reviewing Peyton Manning passing record: lateral or pass?". CBS Sports. Archived from the original on January 2, 2014. Retrieved January 7, 2014.
  3. "NFL's Passer Rating". Pro Football Hall of Fame. Archived from the original on October 3, 2015. Retrieved June 19, 2013.
  4. "NFL Regular Season Games Played per Season". Pro Football Hall of Fame. Archived from the original on May 12, 2013. Retrieved February 4, 2014.
  5. Cobbs, Chris (August 15, 1986). "Don't Mess With Wes : Chandler Uses Fear to His Own Advantage Against Pain, Pressure". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on June 12, 2022.
  6. "NFL Single-Season Receiving Yards per Game Leaders". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on March 30, 2014. Retrieved February 2, 2014.
  7. "NFL Career Receiving Yards Leaders". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on January 13, 2014. Retrieved January 9, 2014.
  8. "Ray Flaherty NFL Football Statistics". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on January 29, 2014. Retrieved February 3, 2014.
  9. "Paul Moss NFL Football Statistics". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on February 2, 2014. Retrieved February 3, 2014.
  10. "Harry Ebding NFL Football Statistics". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on January 19, 2014. Retrieved February 3, 2014.
  11. "Charley Malone NFL Football Statistics". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on February 21, 2014. Retrieved February 3, 2014.
  12. ^ "Don Hutson NFL Football Statistics". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on June 22, 2016. Retrieved February 3, 2014.
  13. "Don Looney NFL Football Statistics". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on March 28, 2014. Retrieved February 3, 2014.
  14. ^ "Jim Benton NFL Football Statistics". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on March 29, 2014. Retrieved February 3, 2014.
  15. ^ "Mal Kutner NFL Football Statistics". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on January 19, 2014. Retrieved February 3, 2014.
  16. "Bob Mann NFL Football Statistics". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on September 13, 2010. Retrieved February 3, 2014.
  17. "Tom Fears NFL Football Statistics". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on February 1, 2014. Retrieved February 3, 2014.
  18. ^ "Elroy Hirsch NFL Football Statistics". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on February 18, 2014. Retrieved February 3, 2014.
  19. ^ "Billy Howton NFL Football Statistics". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on January 7, 2014. Retrieved February 3, 2014.
  20. ^ "Pete Pihos NFL Football Statistics". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on March 28, 2014. Retrieved February 3, 2014.
  21. ^ "Raymond Berry NFL Football Statistics". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on November 13, 2016. Retrieved February 3, 2014.
  22. "Del Shofner NFL Football Statistics". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on March 30, 2014. Retrieved February 3, 2014.
  23. "Tommy McDonald NFL Football Statistics". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on March 28, 2014. Retrieved February 3, 2014.
  24. ^ "Bobby Mitchell NFL Football Statistics". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on March 30, 2014. Retrieved February 3, 2014.
  25. "John Morris NFL Football Statistics". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on February 18, 2014. Retrieved February 3, 2014.
  26. "Dave Parks NFL Football Statistics". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on May 23, 2010. Retrieved February 3, 2014.
  27. "Pat Studstill NFL Football Statistics". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on January 30, 2014. Retrieved February 3, 2014.
  28. "Ben Hawkins NFL Football Statistics". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on January 10, 2014. Retrieved February 3, 2014.
  29. "Roy Jefferson NFL Football Statistics". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on January 19, 2014. Retrieved February 3, 2014.
  30. ^ "Harold Jacks NFL Football Statistics". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on March 28, 2014. Retrieved February 3, 2014.
  31. "Gene Washington NFL Football Statistics". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on December 10, 2013. Retrieved February 3, 2014.
  32. "Otis Taylor NFL Football Statistics". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on April 1, 2014. Retrieved February 3, 2014.
  33. "Harold Carmichael NFL Football Statistics". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on February 18, 2014. Retrieved February 3, 2014.
  34. "Cliff Branch NFL Football Statistics". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on January 23, 2014. Retrieved February 3, 2014.
  35. "Ken Burrough NFL Football Statistics". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on April 1, 2014. Retrieved February 3, 2014.
  36. "Roger Carr NFL Football Statistics". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on December 9, 2013. Retrieved February 3, 2014.
  37. "Drew Pearson NFL Football Statistics". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on February 18, 2014. Retrieved February 3, 2014.
  38. "Wesley Walker NFL Football Statistics". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on January 19, 2014. Retrieved February 3, 2014.
  39. ^ "Steve Largent NFL Football Statistics". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on January 23, 2014. Retrieved February 3, 2014.
  40. "John Jefferson NFL Football Statistics". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on March 30, 2014. Retrieved February 3, 2014.
  41. "Alfred Jenkins NFL Football Statistics". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on April 2, 2014. Retrieved February 3, 2014.
  42. "Wes Chandler NFL Football Statistics". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on February 18, 2014. Retrieved February 3, 2014.
  43. "Mike Quick NFL Football Statistics". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on March 28, 2014. Retrieved February 3, 2014.
  44. "Roy Green NFL Football Statistics". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on March 31, 2014. Retrieved February 3, 2014.
  45. ^ "Jerry Rice NFL Football Statistics". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on February 4, 2014. Retrieved February 3, 2014.
  46. "J. T. Smith NFL Football Statistics". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on March 31, 2014. Retrieved February 3, 2014.
  47. "Henry Ellard NFL Football Statistics". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on February 3, 2014. Retrieved February 3, 2014.
  48. "Michal Irvin NFL Football Statistics". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on February 15, 2014. Retrieved February 3, 2014.
  49. "Sterling Sharpe NFL Football Statistics". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on February 18, 2014. Retrieved February 3, 2014.
  50. "Isaac Bruce NFL Football Statistics". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on February 9, 2014. Retrieved February 3, 2014.
  51. "Rob Moore NFL Football Statistics". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on March 31, 2014. Retrieved February 3, 2014.
  52. "Antonio Freeman NFL Football Statistics". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on February 9, 2014. Retrieved February 3, 2014.
  53. ^ "Marvin Harrison NFL Football Statistics". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on February 9, 2014. Retrieved February 3, 2014.
  54. ^ "Torry Holt NFL Football Statistics". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on February 9, 2014. Retrieved February 3, 2014.
  55. "David Boston NFL Football Statistics". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on January 17, 2014. Retrieved February 3, 2014.
  56. "Muhsin Muhammad NFL Football Statistics". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on February 9, 2014. Retrieved February 3, 2014.
  57. "Steve Smith NFL Football Statistics". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on January 26, 2014. Retrieved February 3, 2014.
  58. "Chad Johnson NFL Football Statistics". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on February 18, 2014. Retrieved February 3, 2014.
  59. "Reggie Wayne NFL Football Statistics". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on February 9, 2014. Retrieved February 3, 2014.
  60. ^ "Andre Johnson NFL Football Statistics". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on February 9, 2014. Retrieved February 3, 2014.
  61. "Brandon Lloyd NFL Football Statistics". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on February 15, 2014. Retrieved February 3, 2014.
  62. ^ "Calvin Johnson NFL Football Statistics". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on February 17, 2014. Retrieved February 3, 2014.
  63. "Josh Gordon NFL Football Statistics". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on January 23, 2014. Retrieved February 3, 2014.
  64. ^ "Antonio Brown NFL Football Statistics". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on February 18, 2014. Retrieved February 4, 2014.
  65. ^ "Julio Jones NFL Football Statistics". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on December 31, 2017. Retrieved January 1, 2018.
  66. "T.Y. Hilton NFL Football Statistics". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on January 1, 2018. Retrieved January 1, 2018.
  67. "Michael Thomas Stats". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on 2020-01-16. Retrieved 2020-01-07.
  68. "Stefon Diggs Stats". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved 2020-01-07.
  69. "Cooper Kupp Stats". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on 2021-12-31. Retrieved 2022-01-09.
  70. "Justin Jefferson Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on 7 October 2020. Retrieved 9 January 2023.
  71. "Tyreek Hill Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on 7 October 2020. Retrieved 12 January 2024.
  72. "Bill Groman NFL & AFL Football Statistics". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on January 6, 2014. Retrieved February 3, 2014.
  73. ^ "Charley Hennigan NFL & AFL Football Statistics". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on April 11, 2014. Retrieved February 3, 2014.
  74. ^ "Art Powell NFL & AFL Football Statistics". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on March 31, 2014. Retrieved February 3, 2014.
  75. ^ "Lance Alworth NFL & AFL Football Statistics". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on February 17, 2014. Retrieved February 3, 2014.
  76. "Don Maynard NFL & AFL Football Statistics". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on February 18, 2014. Retrieved February 3, 2014.
  77. "Warren Wells NFL & AFL Football Statistics". Pro Football Reference. Archived from the original on January 19, 2014. Retrieved February 3, 2014.

References

External links

NFL records and leaders
General
Passing
Career
Annual
Game
Rushing
Career
Annual
Receiving
Career
Annual
Defense
Career
Annual
Special teams
Career
Annual
Scoring
Career
Annual
Game
NFL annual receiving yards leaders
AFL season receiving yards leaders
Categories: