So its telling that Smith never finished behind McCardell in TRY (whether total or per game) during any of their six seasons together. He fell just short of 600 receptions, 9,000 yards, and 80 touchdowns. Branch and Sharpe belong in the Hall of Fame by any standard. Harrison is one of the best wide receivers in NFL history, currently ranked fourth all-time in career receptions and fifth all-time in receiving yards. This affected Hennigan, Howton, Speedie, Hugh Taylor, and Wilson, once each. But that was the widespread impression at the time; Rison's success with Green Bay was a real surprise coming from someone most fans thought was finished as an impact player. Let's use 1994-98. A first-team All-Pro in 1990 and a five-time Pro Bowler, Rison had five 1,000-yard seasons and in 1993 tied Jerry Rice for the most receiving TDs in the NFL (15). For this project, we'll examine in depth 25 eligible wide receivers with strong backing for the Hall of Fame: Cliff Branch, Tim Brown, Harold Carmichael, Cris Carter, Wes Chandler, Gary Clark, Henry Ellard, Irving Fryar, Charley Hennigan, Harlon Hill, Billy Howton, Harold Jackson, Herman Moore, Stanley Morgan, Drew Pearson, Art Powell, Andre Reed, Andre Rison, Sterling Sharpe, Del Shofner, Jimmy Smith, Mac Speedie, Hugh Taylor, Otis Taylor, and Billy Wilson. What about the Cardinals Mel Gray? 1965-74: Fred Biletnikoff, Bob Hayes, Charley Taylor, Paul Warfield He was a team leader on a three-time Super Bowl champion. 579 receptions, 10,372 yards, 76 TD. In 1974, Pearson set career-highs in a 14-game season, no less for receptions and receiving yards. 5. Jimmy Smith Best Wide Receivers Not in the Hall of Fame: 1950s Tim Brown 1988-2004, Los Angeles/Oakland Raiders, Tampa Bay Buccaneers 1,094 receptions, 14,934 yards, 100 TD The Hall of Fame voters, in recent years, have almost entirely ignored special teams contributions. By the fall of 1994, he had been cut by Dallas and also the Philadelphia Eagles, leading to a year out of football. He should probably be in. The Best Damn Receiver Who Won't Make The Hall Of Fame That means consistency and durability. To me, those are the Hall of Famers, and Smith is just barely that next group down. Swann and Stallworth were legendary postseason performers. Eagles great Harold Carmichael finally gets his Hall of Fame enshrinement In 1968, the Eagles finished 14th in the 16-team NFL in passing yardage, and 15th in scoring, with just 14.4 points per game. Theres another name that should be on here for serious consideration - Isaac Curtis, Bengals 1973-84. Those teams were consistently good, but they played in two Super Bowls. Jerry Rice has 1549 receptions, 22895 receiving yards, 197 touchdown catches when playing wide receiver. In most eras, there are 2-4 wide receivers honored with Hall of Fame recognition. Which is a shame, because he was secretly one of the greatest pass-catchers in NFL history. THE 2,000-YARD CHALLENGE FOR A WIDE RECEIVER. But the expansion Jaguars offered Smiths career a path forward. 1985-94: Jerry Rice [Related: The Football Hall Of Fame Has A Receiver Problem]. But hes no Hall of Famer. R.Smith: 849 rec, 11,389 yds, 68 TD Hall of Fame Wide Receivers. And if you look at the list of active players, there's really no one else who figures to pass Brown and Carter any time soon. 2. Hall spent seven seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs (2000-06), appearing in 97 games (10 starts) which is tied for the seventh most by a wide receiver in franchise history.