logo
Which 10 players have had the most receiving yards in a season in NFL history?

Which 10 players have had the most receiving yards in a season in NFL history?

Fox Sports01-05-2025

The NFL has delivered some unforgettable moments over the years and even more so since the boom of the passing attacks. That has opened up the field for offenses to this day and has allowed us to see some incredible performances that lasted a whole season.
Pairing a great quarterback with a dynamic receiver, even today, is a ticket to a top-15 offense and more if you can surround them with the right talent to complement their talents.
That said, though, a top-tier receiver season is hard to come by.
Here are the 10 players with the most receiving yards in a single season. 10 players with the most receiving yards in a season in NFL history 10. Charley Hennigan: 1,746 yards (1961)
One of the lesser-talked-about names on this list, Hennigan had a shorter career but still managed to put up big numbers in a couple of seasons. His best season came in 1961 when he racked up 1,746 receiving yards. That earned him Pro Bowl and first-team All-Pro nods. That season, Hennigan's 1,746 receiving yards for the Houston Oilers were 570 receiving yards more than the next closest player in the AFL. He was also one of just two AFL players to grab 10 or more receiving touchdowns, hauling in 12 on the season. 9. CeeDee Lamb: 1,749 yards (2023)
Lamb finished just 50 yards shy of Tyreek Hill in 2023 for the receiving yards crown. For his troubles, he was named a Pro Bowler and a first-team All-Pro selection. His 1,749 receiving yards, though, was not all he did. He also led the league with 135 receptions, 16 more than any other player, while also garnering enough votes to finish third in AP Offensive Player of the Year voting. That performance propelled Dallas to a 12-5 mark and an NFC East division title. 8. Isaac Bruce: 1,781 yards (1995)
Despite a mediocre season by the Rams in 1995, Bruce was anything but mediocre. Even with his electric season, finishing second in the NFL with 1,781 receiving yards, the voters didn't award him a Pro Bowl nod, nor did they vote him on either of the All-Pro teams. He also finished with 119 receptions, which was the fourth most in the league that year. No doubt, the 7-9 record by St. Louis factored into the snub, but Bruce was dominant despite playing for a team that was ranked 22nd in points per game. 7. Tyreek Hill: 1,799 yards (2023)
The Cheetah showed out in 2023, besting the previously mentioned Lamb by 50 yards for the most in the league. Hill also led the league with 13 receiving touchdowns and averaged a league-high 112.4 receiving yards per game. Those numbers, along with helping Miami post the second-most points per game (29.2), lifted the speedster to a Pro Bowl berth, first-team All-Pro nod and runner-up for AP Offensive Player of the Year. 6. Justin Jefferson: 1,809 yards (2022)
On pace to be one of the best receivers of the century, Jefferson showed out in 2022, posting the most receptions (128) and receiving yards in the league. His performance no doubt lifted a sagging Minnesota offense that, even with the contributions of Jefferson, barely cracked the top 10 in points per game. The voters felt the impact and awarded Jefferson a Pro Bowl spot, a first-team All-Pro nod and helped him win the AP Offensive Player of the Year award. 5. Antonio Brown: 1,834 yards (2015)
Two of the most unbelievable seasons by receivers came in 2015 (more on the other one later), but Brown put on a show for the Steelers. He tied for the league lead with 136 receptions and finished just 37 yards away from leading the league in receiving yards. Moreover, he was also one of the top weapons for one of the best offenses in the sport, with Pittsburgh putting up 26.4 points per game, the fourth-most in the NFL. 4. Jerry Rice: 1,848 yards (1995)
Of course, this list would have to include Rice! He had a number of amazing seasons, but the 1995 campaign was the one with the most receiving yards, leading the NFL with 1,848 yards. His 115.5 receiving yards per game were over four yards per game more than the next closest player. Along with being a first-team All-Pro and being picked for the Pro Bowl, he also finished runner-up for the MVP award for his role on the league's top scoring offense (28.6 PPG). 3. Julio Jones: 1,871 yards (2015)
The other top receiver from 2015! Jones dominated in 2015 but was undoubtedly held back by a mediocre Atlanta offense that was just 21st in the NFL in points per game (21.2). Still, Jones did his best to jump start the "O", tying for the league lead in receptions (136) and leading with 1,871 yards. He earned a Pro Bowl and All-Pro first team despite the team's limited success. 2. Cooper Kupp: 1,947 yards (2021)
A rare receiving triple crown sighting on the list. Kupp literally did it all for the Rams in 2021, leading the NFL with 145 receptions, 1,947 receiving yards and 16 receiving touchdowns. That performance, and deservedly so, allowed him to clean up on the awards, getting a spot in the Pro Bowl, a first-team All-Pro nod and earning Offensive Player of the Year. He would also eventually help lead the team to a Super Bowl victory. 1. Calvin Johnson: 1,964 yards (2012)
This list would feel incomplete if Megatron wasn't on it, and he claimed the top spot for his unreal 2012 campaign. Johnson didn't win the receiving triple crown like Kupp did, but that had more to do with his team than his performance. He led the NFL with 122 receptions and his 1,964 yards were nearly 400 more than anyone else. Moreover, he averaged 122.8 receiving yards per game, while no one else averaged even 100 per game. A first-team All-Pro and Pro Bowler, Johnson finished third in Offensive Player of the Year.
Check out all of our Daily Rankers .
Want great stories delivered right to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports account, follow leagues, teams and players to receive a personalized newsletter daily !
recommended
Get more from National Football League Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Texas Attracting Relatives of NFL and NBA Stars is Raising Eyebrows Across College Football
Texas Attracting Relatives of NFL and NBA Stars is Raising Eyebrows Across College Football

Yahoo

time30 minutes ago

  • Yahoo

Texas Attracting Relatives of NFL and NBA Stars is Raising Eyebrows Across College Football

Texas Attracting Relatives of NFL and NBA Stars is Raising Eyebrows Across College Football originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Whether fans are ready or not, the next wave of athletes has a high chance of making one feel old. Advertisement The athletes that many of us grew up watching now have children set to hit the college or professional ranks. While these players are scattered throughout the country, there seems to be a hotbed forming in Austin, Texas, at the most important position in football. Following the departure of Quinn Ewers, who was drafted in the seventh round with the 231st overall pick by the Miami Dolphins, the Longhorns will turn to former five-star and No. 1 recruit in the 2023 class, Arch Manning. Although he has two starts under his belt, fans have long been clamoring for the nephew of Peyton and Eli Manning to take over. While the Manning name has plenty of notoriety, the Texas quarterback room has a chance to be headlined by the son of a former pro athlete for years to come. The Longhorns hold a commitment from 2026 five-star Dia Bell, the son of former Phoenix Suns star and two-time All-NBA Defensive Team selection, Raja Bell. They are also in the mix for a 2027 four-star Gunner Rivers, who is the son of eight-time Pro Bowl quarterback, Philip Rivers. Advertisement With Steve Sarkisian and Texas having a chance to obtain so much potential star power with famous relatives, fans online are taking notice. "Which would be indicative of NFL QBs believing in Sark's QB development," pointed out one fan. "That'd be insane," said another. "I sense a pattern there 🤔," suspected a third. Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning takes the field before his team's College Football Playoff game against the Clemson Tigers at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium on Dec. 21, Miron-Imagn Images As it stands, Rivers doesn't hold an offer from the Longhorns, but the No. 1 player in Alabama did recently attend a camp. "My first time here, it went well, enjoyed, and good talking to all the coaches," Gunner Rivers told On3 about his Longhorns visit. "I had a great time." This past season for St. Michael Catholic, he threw for 3,927 yards and 36 touchdowns, leading his team to the semifinals of Alabama's 4A playoffs. As for Bell, he threw for 2,597 yards with 29 touchdowns while leading American Heritage to a 9-2 record before he suffered a season-ending injury in the playoffs. Advertisement While there's a chance this quarterback succession of relatives of former pros doesn't happen, Texas is clearly on track to attract the biggest names for years to come. Related: Rule of Legendary NFL Coach May Prevent Arch Manning From Entering 2026 NFL Draft This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 4, 2025, where it first appeared.

Pittsburgh Steelers QB Aaron Rodgers Can Make NFL History with Week 8 Win
Pittsburgh Steelers QB Aaron Rodgers Can Make NFL History with Week 8 Win

Yahoo

timean hour ago

  • Yahoo

Pittsburgh Steelers QB Aaron Rodgers Can Make NFL History with Week 8 Win

Pittsburgh Steelers QB Aaron Rodgers Can Make NFL History with Week 8 Win originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The NFL scheduling Gods smiled on us and we didn't even know it. When the 2025 NFL schedule came out, we all noticed the Week 1 matchup with the New York Jets. Advertisement That, of course, will pit Aaron Rodgers and Justin Fields against their old teams. We call that revenge week for each quarterback. But that's not the most interesting matchup on the calendar next year. That will come in Week 8 when Rodgers faces his old team, the Green Bay Packers at Acrisure Stadium, on Sunday Night Football. With a win, Rodgers will become just the fifth quarterback ever to beat all 32 teams. He'll join Brett Favre, Peyton Manning, Tom Brady and Drew Brees. That's pretty good company, but we already know Rodgers' resume. The achievement will ultimately be just a footnote on his Hall of Fame resume. Advertisement In what could be his last season under center, he'll have the unique opportunity to beat both his former teams. And while we have no idea how the Pittsburgh 2025 season will go, those might be two of the biggest highlight games for the Steelers. Some pundits have the Steelers poised for a Super Bowl run in 2025. To others, it could mean more of the same. Another disappointing end to the postseason, or worse, no playoff appearance at all. Inside the NFL's Mina Kimes believes even with the addition of Rodgers, there are still questions on offense, namely, the rushing attack. 'None of this will work, even if Rogers does buy in, which I'm skeptical of. None of it will work, regardless of what the offense looks like, if they can't run the football better than they did last year. And that's something that they've invested in,' Kimes said. Advertisement Rodgers, who turns 42 in December, led the Jets to a 5-12 mark in his only full season in New York. Don't forget (Jets fans won't) that he missed all but four plays of the 2023 campaign after rupturing his Achilles on the first drive of the first game after joining the team two offseasons ago. Last season should be one to forget for Rodgers. He finished below the league average in passer rating - a stat of which he's the all-time career leader, and 31st in the league in QBR - behind names like Aidan O'Connell and Kirk Cousins. What version of Rodgers will the Steelers get? Related: Steelers' Ceiling Questioned ... Even After Signing Aaron Rodgers Related: Steelers Believe Aaron Rodgers' 'Best Field Vision' Can Fix Offense This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 9, 2025, where it first appeared.

New Coordinator Doesn't Mean Buccaneers Start Over For Baker Mayfield
New Coordinator Doesn't Mean Buccaneers Start Over For Baker Mayfield

Yahoo

time2 hours ago

  • Yahoo

New Coordinator Doesn't Mean Buccaneers Start Over For Baker Mayfield

New Coordinator Doesn't Mean Buccaneers Start Over For Baker Mayfield originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Baker Mayfield's career resurgence with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers has been nothing short of superb, and the addition of his third offensive coordinator in three years makes it even more impressive. Advertisement After going from Dave Canales, to Liam Coen, to now Josh Grizzard, Baker has had his fair share of changes since arriving in the NFC South, but this one might have the least amount of any. With Grizzard the passing game coordinator last season under Coen, the scheme isn't entirely new for Mayfield, and in a chat with CBS Sports' Pete Prisco, now it's all about the details. "I try not take take it for granted being in the same system since I am so used to learning new offenses," Mayfield said. "Now it's just about the details. We have a great group. We have everybody back and added some pieces in the skill group. That makes it easier. I took a lot more responsibility last year, and I am taking even more ownership of it. "When it comes to those checks at the line of scrimmage, it makes it a lot easier with the guys being back. They know when we get this blitz, and I am going to check to this play, it's second nature for them. When people don't have to think about it, it's a lot better." Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) talks with offensive coordinator Liam Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images So for once, Mayfield isn't starting from square one, with most of the offense and verbiage staying roughly the same. That means, as he states, that everyone can play faster, and in turn, this will lead to good things happening far more often. Advertisement Yes, there will be tweaks here and there, as Grizzard is a first-time play-caller, something he is working on during OTAs and mini-camp this week. Still, some might overlook that Mayfield and the offense aren't starting from scratch for a change. They know the nuts and bolts of it, which means more time can be spent ironing out the details of an offense they already understand. Some are sleeping on the Buccaneers in 2025 due to another coordinator change for Baker, but as we have just detailed, things won't be changing that much. So expect another good season from the defending NFC South champs despite the changes. Advertisement Related: 'Stacked' Buccaneers' 'Triplets' Ranked Among NFL's Best Related: Buccaneers' 'Nightmare' Scenario Revealed This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 9, 2025, where it first appeared.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store