Randy Moss – FootballPerspective.com

James Lofton is the Yards Per Catch King

Chase Stuart — Sun, 27 Jul 2014 04:01:08 +0000

Yesterday, we looked at which quarterbacks were the best at yards per completion after adjusting for league average. Today, we’ll do the same thing for wide receivers and yards per completion.

Lofton tries to hide from the creamsicle uniforms.

A small tweak is necessary to the formula. You can skip down to the results section if you don’t care about the math, but I suppose most of my readers want to know what goes in the sausage. We can’t just use league-wide yards per completion rates, since that average includes receptions by non-wide receivers. One way around this is to calculate the league average YPC for wide receivers only; that’s easy to do for 2013, but less easy to do for the earlier years of NFL history when the distinction among the positions was not so clear. So, after playing around with a few different methods, I’ve decided to instead use 120% of the league average YPC rate, and give wide receivers credit for their yards over expectation using that inflated number.

For example, in 1983, James Lofton caught 58 passes for 1,300 yards for the Packers, a 22.4 YPC average. That year, the average reception went for 12.63 yards; 120% of that average is 15.2, which means we would give Lofton credit only for his yards over the product of 15.2 and 58, or 879. Since Lofton actually had 1,300 yards, he gets credit for 421 yards over expectation.

The next year, Lofton caught 62 passes for 1,361 yards (22.0). Since the average reception went for 12.66 yards, Lofton gets credit for his yards over (120% * 12.66 * 62), or 942. Lofton therefore is credited with 419 yards over expectation, nearly identical to his performance in the prior year. In fact, those were the 10th and 11th best season in NFL history by this method.

The Results

Here’s a list of the top 200 single-season performers.

Rk	Wide Receiver	Year	Tm	Rec	RecYd	YPC	Exp Yd	Yds Ov Exp
1	Warren Wells	1969	OAK	47	1260	26.81	763	497
2	Torry Holt	2000	STL	82	1635	19.94	1141	494
3	Flipper Anderson	1989	RAM	44	1146	26.05	676	470
4	Eddie Brown	1988	CIN	53	1273	24.02	810	463
5	Roger Carr	1976	BAL	43	1112	25.86	656	456
6	Wesley Walker	1978	NYJ	48	1169	24.35	730	439
7	Josh Gordon	2013	CLE	87	1646	18.92	1215	431
8	Elbert Dubenion	1964	BUF	42	1139	27.12	711	428
9	Mike Wallace	2010	PIT	60	1257	20.95	830	427
10	James Lofton	1983	GNB	58	1300	22.41	879	421
11	James Lofton	1984	GNB	62	1361	21.95	942	419
12	Lance Alworth	1965	SDG	69	1602	23.22	1190	412
13	Cliff Branch	1976	OAK	46	1111	24.15	701	410
14	DeSean Jackson	2010	PHI	47	1056	22.47	650	406
15	Michael Haynes	1991	ATL	50	1122	22.44	720	402
16	Homer Jones	1967	NYG	49	1209	24.67	810	399
17	Eric Moulds	1998	BUF	67	1368	20.42	973	395
18	Brandon Lloyd	2010	DEN	77	1448	18.81	1065	383
19	Vincent Jackson	2012	TAM	72	1384	19.22	1005	379
20	Roy Green	1984	STL	78	1555	19.94	1185	370
21	Randy Moss	2000	MIN	77	1437	18.66	1072	365
22	Mike Quick	1983	PHI	69	1409	20.42	1045	364
23	Bucky Pope	1964	RAM	25	786	31.44	423	363
24	Henry Ellard	1994	WAS	74	1397	18.88	1035	362
25	Alvin Harper	1994	DAL	33	821	24.88	462	359
26	Victor Cruz	2011	NYG	82	1536	18.73	1179	357
27	Harlon Hill	1954	CHI	45	1124	24.98	768	356
28	Devery Henderson	2008	NOR	32	793	24.78	437	356
29	Steve Smith	2008	CAR	78	1421	18.22	1065	356
30	Bob Hayes	1970	DAL	34	889	26.15	537	352
31	Stanley Morgan	1981	NWE	44	1029	23.39	680	349
32	Don Currivan	1947	BOS	24	782	32.58	434	348
33	Anthony Carter	1987	MIN	38	922	24.26	579	343
34	Don Maynard	1968	NYJ	57	1297	22.75	956	341
35	Elroy Hirsch	1951	RAM	66	1495	22.65	1157	338
36	Harlon Hill	1956	CHI	47	1128	24	792	336
37	Jimmy Orr	1958	PIT	33	910	27.58	574	336
38	Bobby Duckworth	1984	SDG	25	715	28.6	380	335
39	Charley Hennigan	1961	HOU	82	1746	21.29	1411	335
40	Chris Sanders	1995	HOU	35	823	23.51	489	334
41	Santana Moss	2005	WAS	84	1483	17.65	1150	333
42	Flipper Anderson	1990	RAM	51	1097	21.51	765	332
43	Stanley Morgan	1979	NWE	44	1002	22.77	670	332
44	Mervyn Fernandez	1988	RAI	31	805	25.97	474	331
45	Gary Clark	1991	WAS	70	1340	19.14	1009	331
46	Otis Taylor	1966	KAN	58	1297	22.36	967	330
47	Jerry Rice	1988	SFO	64	1306	20.41	978	328
48	Harold Jackson	1979	NWE	45	1013	22.51	686	327
49	Ashley Lelie	2004	DEN	54	1084	20.07	765	319
50	Calvin Johnson	2013	DET	84	1492	17.76	1173	319
51	Jake Reed	1996	MIN	72	1320	18.33	1002	318
52	Stanley Morgan	1980	NWE	45	991	22.02	673	318
53	Steve Watson	1981	DEN	60	1244	20.73	927	317
54	Billy Howton	1952	GNB	53	1231	23.23	914	317
55	Bill Groman	1961	HOU	50	1175	23.5	860	315
56	Theo Bell	1980	PIT	29	748	25.79	434	314
57	Paul Warfield	1971	MIA	43	996	23.16	682	314
58	James Jett	1993	RAI	33	771	23.36	458	313
59	Gary Garrison	1970	SDG	44	1006	22.86	695	311
60	Randy Moss	1998	MIN	69	1313	19.03	1002	311
61	Kevin House	1981	TAM	56	1176	21	865	311
62	Bernard Berrian	2008	MIN	48	964	20.08	656	308
63	Bob Boyd	1954	RAM	53	1212	22.87	904	308
64	Henry Ellard	1989	RAM	70	1382	19.74	1076	306
65	Derrick Alexander	2000	KAN	78	1391	17.83	1085	306
66	Devery Henderson	2006	NOR	32	745	23.28	440	305
67	DeSean Jackson	2009	PHI	62	1156	18.65	853	303
68	Stanley Morgan	1978	NWE	34	820	24.12	517	303
69	Homer Jones	1968	NYG	45	1057	23.49	755	302
70	Flipper Anderson	1994	RAM	46	945	20.54	644	301
71	Calvin Johnson	2011	DET	96	1681	17.51	1380	301
72	Wes Chandler	1982	SDG	49	1032	21.06	731	301
73	Mark Duper	1986	MIA	67	1313	19.6	1015	298
74	Buddy Dial	1960	PIT	40	972	24.3	674	298
75	Charlie Joiner	1976	SDG	50	1056	21.12	762	294
76	Vincent Jackson	2008	SDG	59	1098	18.61	806	292
77	John Gilliam	1972	MIN	47	1035	22.02	744	291
78	Henry Ellard	1996	WAS	52	1014	19.5	724	290
79	Ben Hawkins	1967	PHI	59	1265	21.44	975	290
80	Terry Glenn	2005	DAL	62	1136	18.32	849	287
81	Jordy Nelson	2011	GNB	68	1263	18.57	977	286
82	Bob Hayes	1971	DAL	35	840	24	555	285
83	Jessie Hester	1986	RAI	23	632	27.48	348	284
84	Stephone Paige	1985	KAN	43	943	21.93	662	281
85	Mark Clayton	1984	MIA	73	1389	19.03	1109	280
86	Jackie Smith	1967	STL	56	1205	21.52	926	279
87	Michael Irvin	1992	DAL	78	1396	17.9	1118	278
88	Alvin Harper	1993	DAL	36	777	21.58	499	278
89	Shawn Jefferson	1998	NWE	34	771	22.68	494	277
90	Randy Moss	1999	MIN	80	1413	17.66	1136	277
91	Alfred Jenkins	1981	ATL	70	1358	19.4	1082	276
92	Wesley Walker	1986	NYJ	49	1016	20.73	742	274
93	Jack Snow	1967	RAM	28	735	26.25	463	272
94	John Gilliam	1973	MIN	42	907	21.6	635	272
95	Plaxico Burress	2002	PIT	78	1325	16.99	1054	271
96	Yancey Thigpen	1997	PIT	79	1398	17.7	1129	269
97	Harold Jackson	1973	RAM	40	874	21.85	605	269
98	Jerry Rice	1986	SFO	86	1570	18.26	1302	268
99	Michael Westbrook	1999	WAS	65	1191	18.32	923	268
100	Anthony Miller	1994	DEN	60	1107	18.45	839	268
101	Ron Sellers	1969	BOS	27	705	26.11	439	266
102	Calvin Johnson	2008	DET	78	1331	17.06	1065	266
103	Terrell Owens	2007	DAL	81	1355	16.73	1090	265
104	Chris Burkett	1986	BUF	34	778	22.88	515	263
105	Gene Washington	1970	SFO	53	1100	20.75	837	263
106	Anthony Armstrong	2010	WAS	44	871	19.8	609	262
107	Calvin Johnson	2012	DET	122	1964	16.1	1702	262
108	Isaac Curtis	1975	CIN	44	934	21.23	672	262
109	Billy Howton	1956	GNB	55	1188	21.6	926	262
110	Lance Rentzel	1969	DAL	43	960	22.33	699	261
111	Larry Fitzgerald	2011	ARI	80	1411	17.64	1150	261
112	Paul Warfield	1970	MIA	28	703	25.11	442	261
113	Homer Jones	1965	NYG	26	709	27.27	448	261
114	Ron Jessie	1976	RAM	34	779	22.91	518	261
115	Don Maynard	1967	NYJ	71	1434	20.2	1174	260
116	Isaac Bruce	2000	STL	87	1471	16.91	1211	260
117	Bill Groman	1960	HOU	72	1473	20.46	1213	260
118	Willie Gault	1989	RAI	28	690	24.64	430	260
119	Frank Lewis	1979	BUF	54	1082	20.04	823	259
120	Carroll Dale	1966	GNB	37	876	23.68	617	259
121	Steve Smith	2011	CAR	79	1394	17.65	1135	259
122	Ron Shanklin	1973	PIT	30	711	23.7	454	257
123	Jimmy Orr	1968	BAL	29	743	25.62	486	257
124	Jim Benton	1945	RAM	45	1067	23.71	810	257
125	Ray McLean	1942	CHI	19	571	30.05	315	256
126	Warren Wells	1970	OAK	43	935	21.74	679	256
127	James Lofton	1987	RAI	41	880	21.46	625	255
128	Anthony Miller	1995	DEN	59	1079	18.29	824	255
129	Johnny Knox	2010	CHI	51	960	18.82	705	255
130	Hugh Taylor	1952	WAS	41	961	23.44	707	254
131	Ken Burrough	1975	HOU	53	1063	20.06	810	253
132	Albert Connell	1999	WAS	62	1132	18.26	881	251
133	James Lofton	1991	BUF	57	1072	18.81	821	251
134	Irving Fryar	1994	MIA	73	1270	17.4	1021	249
135	Mel Gray	1971	STL	18	534	29.67	285	249
136	Warren Wells	1968	OAK	53	1137	21.45	889	248
137	David Boston	2001	ARI	98	1598	16.31	1351	247
138	Joey Galloway	2007	TAM	57	1014	17.79	767	247
139	Mal Kutner	1948	CRD	41	943	23	697	246
140	Torry Holt	2001	STL	81	1363	16.83	1117	246
141	Buddy Dial	1963	PIT	60	1295	21.58	1050	245
142	Homer Jones	1966	NYG	48	1044	21.75	800	244
143	Vincent Jackson	2011	SDG	60	1106	18.43	862	244
144	Drew Hill	1987	HOU	49	989	20.18	746	243
145	Tony Hill	1981	DAL	46	953	20.72	711	242
146	Santonio Holmes	2007	PIT	52	942	18.12	700	242
147	Mark Clayton	1986	MIA	60	1150	19.17	909	241
148	John Gilliam	1970	STL	45	952	21.16	711	241
149	Willie Davis	1992	KAN	36	756	21	516	240
150	Ken Kavanaugh	1947	CHI	32	818	25.56	578	240
151	Joe Morgan	2012	NOR	10	379	37.9	140	239
152	Reggie Rucker	1978	CLE	43	893	20.77	654	239
153	Steve Watson	1983	DEN	59	1133	19.2	894	239
154	Don Hutson	1939	GNB	34	846	24.88	607	239
155	Roy Jefferson	1966	PIT	32	772	24.13	534	238
156	Malcom Floyd	2011	SDG	43	856	19.91	618	238
157	Webster Slaughter	1989	CLE	65	1236	19.02	999	237
158	Derrick Alexander	1996	BAL	62	1099	17.73	863	236
159	Harold Carmichael	1978	PHI	55	1072	19.49	836	236
160	Herman Moore	1992	DET	51	966	18.94	731	235
161	Willie Gault	1990	RAI	50	985	19.7	750	235
162	Amani Toomer	2002	NYG	82	1343	16.38	1108	235
163	Bob Trumpy	1969	CIN	37	835	22.57	601	234
164	Chad Johnson	2002	CIN	69	1166	16.9	933	233
165	Vincent Jackson	2009	SDG	68	1167	17.16	935	232
166	Steve Largent	1979	SEA	66	1237	18.74	1006	231
167	Gary Garrison	1968	SDG	52	1103	21.21	872	231
168	Mark Duper	1983	MIA	51	1003	19.67	773	230
169	Willie Gault	1983	CHI	40	836	20.9	606	230
170	James Jett	1998	OAK	45	882	19.6	654	228
171	Paul Warfield	1968	CLE	50	1067	21.34	839	228
172	Bobby Mitchell	1963	WAS	69	1436	20.81	1208	228
173	Mark Nichols	1984	DET	34	744	21.88	516	228
174	Mark Duper	1984	MIA	71	1306	18.39	1079	227
175	Ray Jarvis	1976	DET	39	822	21.08	595	227
176	Leonard Thompson	1980	DET	19	511	26.89	284	227
177	Willie Green	1995	CAR	47	882	18.77	656	226
178	Louis Lipps	1985	PIT	59	1134	19.22	909	225
179	Isaac Bruce	2001	STL	64	1106	17.28	882	224
180	Gary Garrison	1971	SDG	42	889	21.17	666	223
181	Henry Ellard	1995	WAS	56	1005	17.95	782	223
182	Jerry Rice	1989	SFO	82	1483	18.09	1260	223
183	Tony Martin	1998	ATL	66	1181	17.89	958	223
184	Darnay Scott	1994	CIN	46	866	18.83	644	222
185	Chris Chambers	2001	MIA	48	883	18.4	662	221
186	Frank Clarke	1962	DAL	47	1043	22.19	822	221
187	Torrey Smith	2013	BAL	65	1128	17.35	908	220
188	Mike Wallace	2009	PIT	39	756	19.38	537	219
189	Albert Connell	2000	WAS	39	762	19.54	543	219
190	Earl McCullouch	1971	DET	21	552	26.29	333	219
191	Stanley Morgan	1986	NWE	84	1491	17.75	1272	219
192	Ray Renfro	1957	CLE	21	589	28.05	370	219
193	Wesley Walker	1979	NYJ	23	569	24.74	350	219
194	Charles Wilson	1994	TAM	31	652	21.03	434	218
195	Ken Burrow	1971	ATL	33	741	22.45	523	218
196	Ron Shanklin	1970	PIT	30	691	23.03	474	217
197	Horace Copeland	1993	TAM	30	633	21.1	416	217
198	Rich Caster	1972	NYJ	39	833	21.36	617	216
199	Darrell Jackson	2003	SEA	68	1137	16.72	921	216
200	Fred Biletnikoff	1967	OAK	40	876	21.9	661	215

Calculate these grades for every season of each wide receiver’s career, and you get the following career numbers. Here’s how to read Lofton’s line, who checks in at number one. He played from 1978 to 1993, and for his career, caught 764 passes for 14,004 yards, an 18.33 YPC average. Based on 120% of the league average YPC rate in each year, this means Lofton exceeded his expected number of yards (based on his receptions) by 2,502 yards, the most in NFL history. Stanley Morgan, the man who propelled Steve Grogan to the top of yesterday’s list, comes in at number two. The rest of the top five isn’t a surprise: Henry Ellard and Randy Moss were legendary deep threats, and we all know about Paul Warfield and his unique career. Homer Jones, who ranks 1st in average length of receiving touchdown, checks in at #14.

Rk	Receiver	First Yr	Last Yr	Rec	Rec Yd	YPC	Rec Yd Ovr Exp
1	James Lofton	1978	1993	764	14004	18.33	2502
2	Stanley Morgan	1977	1990	557	10716	19.24	2252
3	Henry Ellard	1983	1998	814	13777	16.93	1824
4	Randy Moss	1998	2012	982	15292	15.57	1740
5	Paul Warfield	1964	1977	427	8565	20.06	1708
6	Wesley Walker	1977	1989	438	8306	18.96	1646
7	Willie Gault	1983	1993	333	6635	19.92	1624
8	Vincent Jackson	2005	2013	422	7362	17.45	1507
9	Flipper Anderson	1988	1995	267	5357	20.06	1474
10	Harold Jackson	1969	1983	579	10372	17.91	1416
11	Calvin Johnson	2007	2013	572	9328	16.31	1375
12	Bob Hayes	1965	1975	371	7414	19.98	1348
13	Mel Gray	1971	1982	351	6644	18.93	1309
14	Homer Jones	1964	1970	224	4986	22.26	1265
15	Lance Alworth	1962	1972	542	10266	18.94	1215
16	Joey Galloway	1995	2010	701	10950	15.62	1215
17	Don Maynard	1958	1973	633	11834	18.7	1208
18	Michael Irvin	1988	1999	750	11904	15.87	1204
19	Mark Duper	1983	1992	511	8869	17.36	1193
20	DeSean Jackson	2008	2013	356	6117	17.18	1161
21	Haven Moses	1968	1981	448	8091	18.06	1139
22	Derrick Alexander	1994	2002	417	6971	16.72	1100
23	Cliff Branch	1972	1984	501	8685	17.34	1093
24	Jimmy Orr	1958	1970	400	7914	19.79	1084
25	Warren Wells	1964	1970	158	3655	23.13	1075
26	Gary Garrison	1966	1977	405	7538	18.61	1060
27	John Gilliam	1967	1977	382	7056	18.47	1053
28	Terrell Owens	1996	2010	1078	15934	14.78	1008
29	Carroll Dale	1960	1973	438	8277	18.9	1005
30	Carlos Carson	1980	1989	353	6372	18.05	1003
31	Isaac Bruce	1994	2009	1024	15208	14.85	996
32	Devery Henderson	2005	2012	245	4377	17.87	991
33	Roger Carr	1974	1983	271	5071	18.71	964
34	Mike Quick	1982	1990	363	6464	17.81	938
35	Buddy Dial	1959	1966	261	5436	20.83	934
36	Plaxico Burress	2000	2012	553	8499	15.37	904
37	Gene Washington	1969	1979	385	6856	17.81	868
38	Malcom Floyd	2004	2013	239	4133	17.29	807
39	Chris Sanders	1995	2001	177	3285	18.56	801
40	Ken Kavanaugh	1940	1950	162	3626	22.38	800
41	James Jett	1993	2001	256	4417	17.25	799
42	Isaac Curtis	1973	1984	416	7101	17.07	795
43	Alfred Jenkins	1975	1983	360	6267	17.41	794
44	Alvin Harper	1991	1997	191	3473	18.18	787
45	Lee Evans	2004	2011	381	6008	15.77	768
46	Ashley Lelie	2002	2008	217	3749	17.28	765
47	Eddie Kennison	1996	2007	548	8345	15.23	742
48	Harlon Hill	1954	1962	233	4717	20.24	737
49	Steve Watson	1979	1987	353	6112	17.31	736
50	Torry Holt	1999	2009	920	13382	14.55	735
51	Tony Hill	1977	1986	479	7988	16.68	708
52	Ray Renfro	1952	1963	281	5508	19.6	706
53	Otis Taylor	1965	1974	410	7306	17.82	701
54	Santonio Holmes	2006	2013	381	5963	15.65	699
55	Charlie Joiner	1969	1986	750	12146	16.19	692
56	Steve Smith	2001	2013	836	12197	14.59	685
57	Frank Lewis	1971	1983	397	6724	16.94	680
58	Jake Reed	1992	2002	450	6999	15.55	678
59	Tony Martin	1990	2001	593	9065	15.29	669
60	Jerry Rice	1985	2004	1549	22895	14.78	668
61	Ken Burrough	1970	1981	421	7102	16.87	661
62	Mike Wallace	2009	2013	308	4972	16.14	658
63	Yancey Thigpen	1992	2000	313	5081	16.23	655
64	Eddie Brown	1985	1991	363	6134	16.9	650
65	Mervyn Fernandez	1987	1992	209	3764	18.01	629
66	Steve Largent	1976	1989	819	13089	15.98	625
67	Kevin House	1980	1987	299	5169	17.29	619
68	Bob Boyd	1950	1957	176	3611	20.52	615
69	Stephone Paige	1983	1991	377	6341	16.82	613
70	Dokie Williams	1983	1987	148	2866	19.36	610
71	Don Currivan	1943	1949	78	1979	25.37	603
72	Braylon Edwards	2005	2012	359	5522	15.38	598
73	Louis Lipps	1984	1992	359	6019	16.77	594
74	Rich Caster	1970	1981	322	5515	17.13	582
75	Antonio Bryant	2002	2009	372	5685	15.28	575
76	Terry Glenn	1996	2006	593	8823	14.88	573
77	Anthony Miller	1988	1997	595	9148	15.37	570
78	John Taylor	1987	1995	347	5598	16.13	554
79	Albert Connell	1997	2001	150	2674	17.83	550
80	Jeff Graham	1991	2001	542	8172	15.08	548
81	Hugh Taylor	1947	1954	272	5233	19.24	546
82	John Stallworth	1974	1987	537	8723	16.24	542
83	Chad Johnson	2001	2011	766	11059	14.44	542
84	Antonio Freeman	1995	2003	477	7251	15.2	541
85	Josh Gordon	2012	2013	137	2451	17.89	539
86	Bobby Duckworth	1982	1986	82	1784	21.76	535
87	Mal Kutner	1946	1950	145	3060	21.1	534
88	Ben Hawkins	1966	1973	261	4764	18.25	527
89	James Scott	1976	1982	177	3202	18.09	519
90	Jack Snow	1965	1975	340	6012	17.68	519
91	Gary Clark	1985	1995	699	10856	15.53	517
92	Greg Jennings	2006	2013	493	7341	14.89	514
93	Torrey Smith	2011	2013	164	2824	17.22	514
94	Mark Jackson	1986	1994	342	5551	16.23	512
95	James McKnight	1994	2003	222	3595	16.19	507
96	Irving Fryar	1984	2000	851	12785	15.02	502
97	Anthony Carter	1985	1994	486	7733	15.91	501
98	Bill Groman	1960	1964	174	3481	20.01	500
99	Gloster Richardson	1967	1974	92	1976	21.48	498
100	Roy Green	1979	1992	559	8965	16.04	492

Because of the way the formula works, a list of the worst receivers in this metric would be a bunch of running backs. So instead, I’ll close with a list of the 100 players with the most receptions in NFL history, and their ranks according to this formula:

Rk	Receiver	First Yr	Last Yr	Rec	Rec Yd	YPC	Rec Yd Ovr Exp
1	Jerry Rice	1985	2004	1549	22895	14.78	668
2	Tony Gonzalez	1997	2013	1325	15127	11.42	-3272
3	Marvin Harrison	1996	2008	1102	14580	13.23	-709
4	Cris Carter	1987	2002	1101	13899	12.62	-1738
5	Tim Brown	1988	2004	1094	14934	13.65	-471
6	Terrell Owens	1996	2010	1078	15934	14.78	1008
7	Isaac Bruce	1994	2009	1024	15208	14.85	996
8	Reggie Wayne	2001	2013	1006	13566	13.49	-319
9	Hines Ward	1998	2011	1000	12083	12.08	-1709
10	Randy Moss	1998	2012	982	15292	15.57	1740
11	Andre Reed	1985	2000	951	13198	13.88	-696
12	Derrick Mason	1997	2011	943	12061	12.79	-927
13	Art Monk	1980	1995	940	12721	13.53	-1362
14	Andre Johnson	2003	2013	927	12661	13.66	-148
15	Torry Holt	1999	2009	920	13382	14.55	735
16	Keenan McCardell	1992	2007	883	11373	12.88	-920
17	Jason Witten	2003	2013	879	9799	11.15	-2373
18	Jimmy Smith	1995	2005	862	12287	14.25	242
19	Muhsin Muhammad	1996	2009	860	11438	13.3	-513
20	Anquan Boldin	2003	2013	857	11344	13.24	-481
21	Irving Fryar	1984	2000	851	12785	15.02	502
22	Rod Smith	1995	2006	849	11389	13.41	-442
23	Larry Fitzgerald	2004	2013	846	11367	13.44	-336
24	Wes Welker	2005	2013	841	9358	11.13	-2285
25	Steve Smith	2001	2013	836	12197	14.59	685
26	Larry Centers	1991	2003	827	6797	8.22	-4796
27	Steve Largent	1976	1989	819	13089	15.98	625
28	Shannon Sharpe	1990	2003	815	10060	12.34	-1343
29	Henry Ellard	1983	1998	814	13777	16.93	1824
30	Keyshawn Johnson	1996	2006	814	10571	12.99	-788
31	Marshall Faulk	1994	2005	767	6875	8.96	-3843
32	Chad Johnson	2001	2011	766	11059	14.44	542
33	James Lofton	1978	1993	764	14004	18.33	2502
34	Eric Moulds	1996	2007	764	9995	13.08	-615
35	Michael Irvin	1988	1999	750	11904	15.87	1204
36	Charlie Joiner	1969	1986	750	12146	16.19	692
37	Donald Driver	1999	2012	743	10137	13.64	-87
38	Andre Rison	1989	2000	743	10205	13.73	-439
39	Santana Moss	2001	2013	722	10167	14.08	218
40	Antonio Gates	2003	2013	719	9193	12.79	-761
41	Brandon Marshall	2006	2013	712	9050	12.71	-805
42	Joey Galloway	1995	2010	701	10950	15.62	1215
43	Gary Clark	1985	1995	699	10856	15.53	517
44	Terance Mathis	1990	2002	689	8809	12.79	-903
45	Roddy White	2005	2013	685	9436	13.78	-54
46	Laveranues Coles	2000	2009	674	8609	12.77	-639
47	Herman Moore	1991	2001	670	9174	13.69	-276
48	Ricky Proehl	1990	2006	669	8878	13.27	-583
49	Amani Toomer	1996	2008	668	9497	14.22	266
50	Ozzie Newsome	1978	1990	662	7980	12.05	-2085
51	Bobby Engram	1996	2009	650	7751	11.92	-1267
52	Charley Taylor	1964	1977	649	9110	14.04	-1328
53	Drew Hill	1979	1993	634	9831	15.51	353
54	Don Maynard	1958	1973	633	11834	18.7	1208
55	Raymond Berry	1955	1967	631	9275	14.7	-1556
56	Rob Moore	1990	1999	628	9368	14.92	433
57	T.J. Houshmandzadeh	2001	2011	627	7237	11.54	-1371
58	Johnnie Morton	1994	2005	624	8719	13.97	-31
59	LaDainian Tomlinson	2001	2011	624	4772	7.65	-3800
60	Keith Byars	1986	1998	610	5661	9.28	-3234
61	Marques Colston	2006	2013	607	8337	13.73	-67
62	Joe Horn	1996	2007	603	8744	14.5	414
63	Anthony Miller	1988	1997	595	9148	15.37	570
64	Sterling Sharpe	1988	1994	595	8134	13.67	-504
65	Curtis Conway	1993	2004	594	8230	13.86	-58
66	Tony Martin	1990	2001	593	9065	15.29	669
67	Terry Glenn	1996	2006	593	8823	14.88	573
68	Harold Carmichael	1971	1984	590	8985	15.23	16
69	Fred Biletnikoff	1965	1978	589	8974	15.24	-348
70	Marcus Allen	1982	1997	587	5411	9.22	-3302
71	Tiki Barber	1997	2006	586	5183	8.84	-2958
72	Bill Brooks	1986	1996	583	8001	13.72	-548
73	Mark Clayton	1983	1993	582	8974	15.42	241
74	Ronnie Harmon	1986	1997	582	6076	10.44	-2338
75	Brian Blades	1988	1998	581	7620	13.12	-753
76	Wayne Chrebet	1995	2005	580	7365	12.7	-757
77	Harold Jackson	1969	1983	579	10372	17.91	1416
78	Calvin Johnson	2007	2013	572	9328	16.31	1375
79	Ernest Givins	1986	1995	571	8215	14.39	-178
80	Mark Carrier	1987	1998	569	8763	15.4	482
81	Lionel Taylor	1960	1968	567	7195	12.69	-2522
82	Roger Craig	1983	1993	566	4911	8.68	-3656
83	Ed McCaffrey	1991	2003	565	7422	13.14	-511
84	Webster Slaughter	1986	1998	563	8111	14.41	-89
85	Roy Green	1979	1992	559	8965	16.04	492
86	Wes Chandler	1978	1988	559	8966	16.04	470
87	Stanley Morgan	1977	1990	557	10716	19.24	2252
88	Troy Brown	1993	2006	557	6366	11.43	-1348
89	Plaxico Burress	2000	2012	553	8499	15.37	904
90	Eric Martin	1985	1994	553	8161	14.76	-32
91	Eddie Kennison	1996	2007	548	8345	15.23	742
92	Jeremy Shockey	2002	2011	547	6143	11.23	-1379
93	Ike Hilliard	1997	2008	546	6397	11.72	-1173
94	John Williams	1986	1995	546	4656	8.53	-3364
95	J.T. Smith	1979	1990	544	6974	12.82	-1317
96	Lance Alworth	1962	1972	542	10266	18.94	1215
97	Jeff Graham	1991	2001	542	8172	15.08	548
98	Kellen Winslow	1979	1987	541	6741	12.46	-1467
99	Eric Metcalf	1989	2001	541	5572	10.3	-2172
100	Chris Chambers	2001	2010	540	7648	14.16	242

A couple of wide receivers stand out with negative grades, and there are no surprises here. Wes Welker, Cris Carter, Hines Ward, Raymond Berry, T.J. Houshmandzadeh, Art Monk, Troy Brown, etc., made their livings as possession receivers. Yards per completion, like yards per catch, is not so much a reflection of ability as it is of style. And there’s nothing wrong with that.

Homer Jones Is the Leader in Average Length of Receiving Touchdown

Chase Stuart — Sun, 16 Mar 2014 04:01:44 +0000

Jones catches another bomb.

In November, I noted that Chris Johnson was the career leader in average length of rushing touchdown. Since then, he’s actually dropped to number two, as his six rushing touchdowns covered “only” 84 yards in November and December. But what about the career leader in average length of receiving touchdown?

That title belongs to former Giants wide receiver Homer Jones. A star in the late ’60s, 19 of Jones’ 36 career touchdowns went for 50 or more yards. The table below shows all 413 players to record at least 35 receiving touchdowns (including the postseason) from 1940 to 2013. While Jones leads in average touchdown length, I think it makes more sense to sort the list by median touchdown length, although that doesn’t matter much for Jones. For each player listed, I’ve included both their average and median touchdown length, the years they played, and a best guess at their primary position. The table by default shows 50 entries, but you can change that; in addition, the table is fully sortable and searchable.

Rk	Receiver	Receiver	First Year	Last Year	TDs	Avg	Median
1	Homer Jones	WR	1964	1970	36	49	51
2	Mel Gray	WR	1971	1982	46	43.9	48.5
3	Bob Boyd	WR	1950	1957	28	45.5	47.5
4	Ken Burrough	WR	1970	1981	50	43.3	46.5
5	Bob Hayes	WR	1965	1975	73	41.1	38
6	Frank Pitts	WR	1965	1974	27	38.6	38
7	Carroll Dale	WR	1960	1973	55	38.5	38
8	Mike Wallace	WR	2009	2013	38	36.2	38
9	Elroy Hirsch	WR	1946	1957	59	38	37
10	John Mackey	TE	1963	1972	40	39.6	36
11	Elbert Dubenion	WR	1960	1968	37	39.1	36
12	Don Currivan	WR	1943	1949	26	36	36
13	DeSean Jackson	WR	2008	2013	34	39.7	35.5
14	Harlon Hill	WR	1954	1962	40	38.6	35.5
15	Willie Gault	WR	1983	1993	47	36.9	35
16	Lance Alworth	WR	1962	1972	88	35.6	35
17	Bernard Berrian	WR	2004	2011	26	35.3	34.5
18	Charley Frazier	WR	1962	1970	30	33.7	34.5
19	Cloyce Box	WR	1949	1954	32	37.9	34
20	Ken Kavanaugh	WR	1940	1950	52	37.4	34
21	Don Beebe	WR	1989	1997	26	36.3	34
22	Bake Turner	WR	1962	1970	25	34.8	34
23	Ray Renfro	WR	1952	1963	53	34.4	34
24	Del Shofner	WR	1957	1967	51	35.7	33
25	Wesley Walker	WR	1977	1989	74	34.3	33
26	Don Maynard	WR	1958	1973	90	34.2	32.5
27	Robert Meachem	WR	2008	2013	28	31	32.5
28	Jim Doran	WR	1951	1961	26	32.4	32
29	Joey Galloway	WR	1995	2010	77	32.2	32
30	Hugh Taylor	WR	1947	1954	58	34.7	31.5
31	Dave Williams	WR	1967	1973	25	28.7	31
32	Qadry Ismail	WR	1993	2002	33	35.4	30
33	Stanley Morgan	WR	1977	1990	75	35.1	30
34	Darnay Scott	WR	1994	2002	37	35	30
35	Flipper Anderson	WR	1988	1997	30	33	30
36	Bob Trumpy	TE	1968	1977	35	32.3	30
37	Tony Hill	WR	1977	1986	55	30.4	30
38	Marcus Robinson	WR	1998	2006	44	29.5	29.5
39	Corey Bradford	WR	1998	2006	25	34.9	29
40	Lenny Moore	RB	1956	1967	49	34.6	29
41	Ray Mathews	RB	1951	1960	34	34.4	29
42	Michael Haynes	WR	1988	1997	49	33.6	29
43	John Gilliam	WR	1967	1977	53	32.9	29
44	Johnny Morris	WR	1958	1967	31	32.8	29
45	Jack Snow	WR	1965	1975	45	32.1	29
46	John Greene	WR	1944	1950	26	33.1	28.5
47	Rocket Ismail	WR	1993	2001	28	32.5	28.5
48	Mark Duper	WR	1982	1992	64	32	28.5
49	Jackie Smith	TE	1963	1978	41	33.7	28
50	Alvin Harper	WR	1991	1999	25	33.2	28
51	Carlos Carson	WR	1980	1989	33	32.8	28
52	Harold Jackson	WR	1968	1983	81	31.7	28
53	Max McGee	WR	1954	1967	54	31.6	28
54	Donte' Stallworth	WR	2002	2012	37	30.1	28
55	Tony Martin	WR	1990	2001	59	30	28
56	Gene Washington	WR	1969	1979	61	29.8	28
57	Ricky Sanders	WR	1986	1995	39	28.6	28
58	Cliff Branch	WR	1972	1985	72	30.9	27.5
59	Isaac Curtis	WR	1973	1984	55	32.7	27
60	Red Phillips	WR	1958	1967	34	31.4	27
61	Ron Jessie	WR	1971	1981	27	30.9	27
62	Lee Evans	WR	2004	2011	43	30.7	27
63	Billy Johnson	WR	1974	1988	25	29.6	27
64	Roy Jefferson	WR	1965	1976	56	27.9	27
65	Aaron Thomas	TE	1961	1970	37	25.5	27
66	Larry Garron	RB	1960	1968	28	32	26.5
67	Willie Richardson	WR	1963	1971	26	26	26.5
68	Jeff Graham	WR	1991	2001	31	33.2	26
69	John Taylor	WR	1987	1995	49	33.1	26
70	Mal Kutner	WR	1946	1950	31	31.2	26
71	Jack Ferrante	WR	1941	1950	32	31.1	26
72	Antonio Bryant	WR	2002	2009	30	30.4	26
73	Gail Cogdill	WR	1960	1970	34	29.4	26
74	Tommy McDonald	WR	1957	1968	85	28.8	26
75	Shawn Jefferson	WR	1991	2003	31	28.5	26
76	Paul Warfield	WR	1964	1977	90	29.6	25.5
77	Roy Green	WR	1979	1992	66	29.1	25.5
78	Nate Washington	WR	2005	2013	38	28	25.5
79	Frank Gifford	RB	1952	1964	46	26.3	25.5
80	Ben Hawkins	WR	1966	1974	32	33.4	25
81	Kevin House	WR	1980	1987	35	33.1	25
82	Warren Wells	WR	1964	1970	45	31.9	25
83	Leonard Thompson	WR	1975	1986	35	30.1	25
84	Eric Moulds	WR	1996	2007	50	30	25
85	Otis Taylor	WR	1965	1975	59	29.8	25
86	Dick Gordon	WR	1965	1974	36	29.8	25
87	Alfred Jenkins	WR	1975	1983	41	29.4	25
88	David Boston	WR	1999	2005	25	28.4	25
89	Randy Moss	WR	1998	2012	166	27.7	25
90	Dante Lavelli	WR	1946	1956	67	27.5	25
91	Drew Hill	WR	1979	1993	61	27.4	25
92	David Patten	WR	1997	2008	26	25.1	25
93	Roger Carr	WR	1974	1983	32	34	24.5
94	Gene Washington	WR	1967	1973	28	32.8	24.5
95	Buddy Dial	WR	1959	1966	44	27.8	24.5
96	Timmy Brown	RB	1959	1968	26	33.3	24
97	Steve Smith	WR	2001	2013	75	30	24
98	Jimmy Orr	WR	1958	1970	66	29.9	24
99	Larry Walton	WR	1969	1978	27	26.2	24
100	Michael Jackson	WR	1991	1998	46	26.8	23.5
101	Michael Crabtree	WR	2009	2013	26	23.3	23.5
102	James Jett	WR	1993	2002	33	31.8	23
103	Billy Howton	WR	1952	1963	61	31.5	23
104	Fred Barnett	WR	1990	1997	35	31.1	23
105	Bobby Mitchell	WR	1958	1968	65	30.8	23
106	Frank Clarke	WR	1957	1967	51	30	23
107	Eddie Brown	WR	1985	1991	41	29.6	23
108	Willie Green	WR	1991	1998	30	29.1	23
109	Henry Ellard	WR	1983	1998	66	28	23
110	Gary Clark	WR	1985	1995	71	27.9	23
111	Al Baldwin	WR	1947	1950	27	26.9	23
112	Anthony Carter	WR	1985	1995	56	26.7	23
113	Quinn Early	WR	1988	1999	41	26.5	23
114	Anthony Miller	WR	1988	1997	63	26	23
115	Santonio Holmes	WR	2006	2013	41	25.9	23
116	Bill Brooks	WR	1986	1996	48	25.6	23
117	Dennis McKinnon	WR	1983	1990	26	28.6	22.5
118	Dave Kocourek	TE	1960	1968	26	27	22.5
119	Irving Fryar	WR	1984	2000	86	25.7	22.5
120	Charlie Joiner	WR	1969	1986	70	25.7	22.5
121	Gary Ballman	WR	1962	1973	37	31.3	22
122	James Lofton	WR	1978	1993	83	30.1	22
123	Santana Moss	WR	2001	2013	70	29	22
124	Sam McCullum	WR	1974	1983	27	28.1	22
125	Bob Scarpitto	WR	1961	1968	27	28.1	22
126	Javon Walker	WR	2002	2009	31	27.1	22
127	John David Crow	RB	1958	1968	35	26.9	22
128	Elbie Nickel	WR	1947	1957	36	26.3	22
129	Earnest Gray	WR	1979	1985	28	25.9	22
130	Amani Toomer	WR	1996	2008	61	25.9	22
131	Wes Chandler	WR	1978	1988	56	25.8	22
132	Art Powell	WR	1959	1968	81	25.4	22
133	Miles Austin	WR	2006	2013	35	25.2	22
134	Mark Jackson	WR	1986	1994	31	25.1	22
135	Sammy White	WR	1976	1985	55	24.2	22
136	Drew Bennett	WR	2001	2008	29	22.6	22
137	Derrick Alexander	WR	1994	2002	40	29.6	21.5
138	Freddie Solomon	WR	1975	1985	54	29.1	21.5
139	Gary Garrison	WR	1966	1977	58	26.8	21.5
140	Butch Johnson	WR	1976	1985	32	24.9	21.5
141	Steve Watson	WR	1979	1987	37	28.9	21
142	Charles Johnson	WR	1994	2002	25	27.2	21
143	Jessie Hester	WR	1985	1995	30	27.1	21
144	George Sauer	WR	1965	1970	28	26.9	21
145	Bernie Casey	RB	1961	1968	41	26.9	21
146	Stephone Paige	WR	1983	1991	50	26.8	21
147	Sonny Randle	WR	1959	1968	65	26.6	21
148	Frank Lewis	WR	1971	1983	45	26.2	21
149	Tim McGee	WR	1986	1994	28	25.6	21
150	Hakeem Nicks	WR	2009	2013	31	25.4	21
151	Yancey Thigpen	WR	1991	2000	33	25.3	21
152	Henry Marshall	WR	1976	1987	33	25.2	21
153	Wallace Francis	WR	1973	1981	29	24.9	21
154	Bert Emanuel	WR	1994	2001	28	24.2	21
155	Jim Benton	WR	1938	1947	35	24.1	21
156	Bobby Walston	WR	1951	1962	46	24	21
157	Brandon Stokley	WR	1999	2013	46	23.6	21
158	John Jefferson	WR	1978	1985	49	23.4	21
159	Pete Retzlaff	WR	1956	1966	47	22.9	21
160	Terrell Owens	WR	1996	2010	158	26.4	20.5
161	Brandon Lloyd	WR	2003	2012	36	23.8	20.5
162	Mike Quick	WR	1982	1990	61	29.2	20
163	Curtis Conway	WR	1993	2004	52	27.3	20
164	Eddie Kennison	WR	1996	2008	42	27.1	20
165	Rich Caster	TE	1970	1982	45	26.4	20
166	Jerry Rice	WR	1985	2004	219	26.4	20
167	Daryl Turner	WR	1984	1987	37	26.1	20
168	Tim Brown	WR	1988	2004	103	25.3	20
169	Donald Driver	WR	1999	2012	64	25	20
170	Dwight Clark	WR	1979	1987	51	24.9	20
171	Reggie Rucker	WR	1970	1981	44	24.1	20
172	Bobby Joe Conrad	WR	1958	1969	38	23.9	20
173	Dokie Williams	WR	1983	1987	25	23.8	20
174	Jake Reed	WR	1991	2002	38	23.3	20
175	Kevin Johnson	WR	1999	2005	25	23.2	20
176	Chris Burford	WR	1960	1967	55	22.9	20
177	Lynn Swann	WR	1974	1982	60	22.4	20
178	Charlie Smith	WR	1974	1981	25	21	20
179	Joe Walton	WR	1957	1963	28	19.8	20
180	Dave Parks	WR	1964	1973	44	27.8	19.5
181	Terry Glenn	WR	1996	2007	44	25.1	19.5
182	Jimmy Smith	WR	1992	2005	74	24	19.5
183	Derrick Mason	WR	1997	2011	68	23.6	19.5
184	Steve Largent	WR	1976	1989	104	22.6	19.5
185	Fred Biletnikoff	WR	1965	1978	86	22.1	19.5
186	Pierre Garcon	WR	2008	2013	28	30.6	19
187	Braylon Edwards	WR	2005	2012	42	28.9	19
188	Hassan Jones	WR	1986	1993	27	28.6	19
189	Terry Barr	RB	1957	1965	35	28.5	19
190	Ray Butler	WR	1980	1988	37	28.3	19
191	Az-Zahir Hakim	WR	1998	2006	28	28.1	19
192	Al Toon	WR	1985	1992	33	27.2	19
193	Mac Speedie	WR	1946	1952	33	27.2	19
194	Willie Davis	WR	1991	1998	34	25.9	19
195	Marty Booker	WR	1999	2009	37	25.4	19
196	Robert Brooks	WR	1992	2000	36	25.3	19
197	Jim Colclough	WR	1960	1968	39	25.2	19
198	Jim Mutscheller	WR	1954	1961	40	25.1	19
199	John Stallworth	WR	1974	1987	75	24.6	19
200	Mark Clayton	WR	1983	1993	87	23.9	19
201	Torry Holt	WR	1999	2009	78	23.8	19
202	Raymond Chester	TE	1970	1981	49	23.5	19
203	Gino Cappelletti	WR	1960	1970	42	23	19
204	Jim Smith	WR	1977	1985	25	22.2	19
205	Jerry Porter	WR	2000	2008	34	20.5	19
206	Bob Schnelker	WR	1953	1961	34	24.9	18.5
207	Pete Pihos	WR	1947	1955	62	21.5	18.5
208	Chris Calloway	WR	1990	2000	30	20.6	18.5
209	Bill Groman	WR	1960	1965	37	30.9	18
210	Charlie Brown	WR	1982	1987	28	30.4	18
211	Boyd Dowler	WR	1959	1971	45	26.6	18
212	Charley Hennigan	WR	1960	1966	51	26.4	18
213	A.J. Green	WR	2011	2013	29	26.3	18
214	Charley Taylor	WR	1964	1977	81	25.6	18
215	Mike Renfro	WR	1978	1987	29	25	18
216	Andre Reed	WR	1985	2000	96	24.8	18
217	Antonio Freeman	WR	1995	2003	71	24.3	18
218	Peerless Price	WR	1999	2007	32	23.7	18
219	Art Monk	WR	1980	1995	75	22.3	18
220	Billy Wilson	WR	1951	1960	50	21.4	18
221	Willard Dewveall	WR	1959	1964	28	29.7	17.5
222	Al Denson	WR	1964	1971	32	27.3	17.5
223	Patrick Crayton	WR	2004	2011	26	25.4	17.5
224	Webster Slaughter	WR	1986	1998	50	25	17.5
225	Darrell Jackson	WR	2000	2008	54	24.2	17.5
226	Lance Rentzel	WR	1965	1974	40	27.5	17
227	Greg Jennings	WR	2006	2013	63	27.2	17
228	Michael Westbrook	WR	1995	2002	26	26.2	17
229	Jeremy Maclin	WR	2009	2013	27	25.9	17
230	Don Hutson	WR	1935	1945	63	24	17
231	Michael Irvin	WR	1988	1999	73	23.5	17
232	Demaryius Thomas	WR	2010	2013	35	22.9	17
233	Drew Pearson	WR	1973	1983	56	22.8	17
234	Gern Nagler	WR	1953	1961	28	22.8	17
235	Mark Carrier	WR	1987	1998	49	22.6	17
236	Joe Horn	WR	1996	2007	58	22.5	17
237	Marvin Harrison	WR	1996	2008	130	22.4	17
238	Herman Moore	WR	1991	2002	64	22.3	17
239	Rodney Holman	TE	1982	1995	36	22.1	17
240	Sterling Sharpe	WR	1988	1994	69	21.7	17
241	Plaxico Burress	WR	2000	2013	70	21.6	17
242	Kyle Rote	WR	1951	1961	49	21	17
243	Vincent Jackson	WR	2005	2013	55	20.6	17
244	Leon Hart	WR	1950	1957	27	19.5	17
245	Fred Arbanas	TE	1962	1970	35	19.3	17
246	Rob Moore	WR	1990	1999	49	19	17
247	Billy Cannon	TE	1960	1970	50	25.9	16.5
248	Calvin Johnson	WR	2007	2013	68	25.1	16.5
249	Tom Fears	WR	1948	1956	42	24.3	16.5
250	Marlin Briscoe	WR	1968	1976	30	23	16.5
251	Johnnie Morton	WR	1994	2005	44	22.9	16.5
252	Bill Schroeder	WR	1997	2004	28	22.2	16.5
253	Jerome Barkum	TE	1972	1983	40	19.1	16.5
254	James Jones	WR	2007	2013	41	24.1	16
255	Mark Ingram	WR	1987	1996	26	23.9	16
256	Jerry Butler	WR	1979	1986	30	23.8	16
257	Chris Chambers	WR	2001	2010	59	22.9	16
258	Ahmad Rashad	WR	1972	1982	45	22.6	16
259	Danny Abramowicz	WR	1967	1974	39	22.4	16
260	Rod Smith	WR	1995	2006	74	22.2	16
261	Cris Collinsworth	WR	1981	1988	37	21.8	16
262	Deion Branch	WR	2002	2012	43	21.3	16
263	Preston Dennard	WR	1978	1985	33	21	16
264	Andre Rison	WR	1989	2000	87	21	16
265	Terance Mathis	WR	1990	2002	66	20.5	16
266	Sean Dawkins	WR	1993	2001	27	19.3	16
267	Jean Fugett	TE	1972	1979	28	18.6	16
268	Floyd Turner	WR	1989	1998	34	23.5	15.5
269	Willie Jackson	WR	1995	2002	28	21.6	15.5
270	Vernon Davis	TE	2006	2013	60	20.6	15.5
271	Louis Lipps	WR	1984	1992	41	28.9	15
272	Eric Metcalf	RB	1989	2002	32	26.1	15
273	Marshall Faulk	RB	1994	2005	38	23.7	15
274	Torrance Small	WR	1992	2001	32	22	15
275	Reggie Wayne	WR	2001	2013	89	21.8	15
276	Lionel Taylor	WR	1959	1968	45	21.8	15
277	Keenan McCardell	WR	1992	2007	69	21.1	15
278	Vance Johnson	WR	1985	1995	41	21	15
279	Jerricho Cotchery	WR	2004	2013	33	20.3	15
280	Alyn Beals	WR	1946	1951	49	20.1	15
281	Roy Williams	WR	2004	2011	44	20	15
282	Dwayne Bowe	WR	2007	2013	45	19.6	15
283	Don Norton	WR	1960	1966	28	18.9	15
284	Mike Ditka	TE	1961	1972	44	18.9	15
285	Mike Pritchard	WR	1991	1999	26	18.6	15
286	Jeff Chadwick	WR	1983	1992	27	18.4	15
287	T.J. Houshmandzadeh	WR	2001	2011	45	18.3	15
288	Keyshawn Johnson	WR	1996	2006	66	17.8	15
289	Marques Colston	WR	2006	2013	67	16.6	15
290	Jerramy Stevens	TE	2002	2010	26	14.5	15
291	Jordy Nelson	WR	2008	2013	40	26.7	14.5
292	Brett Perriman	WR	1988	1997	32	18.5	14.5
293	Roddy White	WR	2005	2013	58	23	14
294	Haven Moses	WR	1968	1981	58	22.6	14
295	Troy Brown	WR	1993	2007	33	21.3	14
296	Pat Tilley	WR	1976	1986	38	21.2	14
297	Lance Moore	WR	2006	2013	39	20.6	14
298	Sidney Rice	WR	2007	2013	34	20.5	14
299	Jimmie Giles	TE	1977	1989	42	19.9	14
300	Calvin Williams	WR	1990	1996	36	19.8	14
301	Nat Moore	WR	1974	1986	77	19.5	14
302	Kevin Walter	WR	2003	2013	25	18.1	14
303	Harold Carmichael	WR	1971	1984	85	18	14
304	Gary Collins	WR	1962	1971	75	17.8	14
305	Eric Decker	WR	2010	2013	33	17.5	14
306	Nate Burleson	WR	2003	2013	41	17.5	14
307	Ozzie Newsome	TE	1978	1990	48	16.2	14
308	J.T. Smith	WR	1978	1990	35	16	14
309	Shannon Sharpe	TE	1990	2003	66	20.5	13.5
310	Dez Bryant	WR	2010	2013	40	19.3	13.5
311	Laveranues Coles	WR	2000	2009	50	18.3	13.5
312	Cris Carter	WR	1987	2002	138	18.1	13.5
313	Henry Childs	TE	1974	1984	28	17.4	13.5
314	Darren Sproles	RB	2005	2013	30	25	13
315	Chad Johnson	WR	2001	2011	67	24.7	13
316	Malcom Floyd	WR	2004	2013	25	21	13
317	Joe Morrison	RB	1959	1972	47	20.8	13
318	Raymond Berry	WR	1955	1967	69	20.6	13
319	Anquan Boldin	WR	2003	2013	73	19.4	13
320	Michael Jenkins	WR	2004	2012	26	19	13
321	Marcus Pollard	TE	1995	2008	41	17.4	13
322	Ed McCaffrey	WR	1991	2003	57	17.4	13
323	Muhsin Muhammad	WR	1996	2009	65	17.2	13
324	James Brooks	RB	1981	1992	33	17.1	13
325	Steve Johnson	WR	2008	2013	28	16	13
326	Eric Green	TE	1990	1999	38	15.7	13
327	Chris Cooley	TE	2004	2012	33	15.4	13
328	Greg Olsen	TE	2007	2013	37	15.4	13
329	Andre Johnson	WR	2003	2013	62	22.3	12
330	Isaac Bruce	WR	1994	2009	95	20.6	12
331	Ricky Proehl	WR	1990	2006	58	20.2	12
332	Joe Aguirre	WR	1941	1949	31	19.6	12
333	Glenn Doughty	WR	1972	1979	25	19.4	12
334	Ernest Givins	WR	1986	1995	57	19.1	12
335	Eric Martin	WR	1985	1994	50	18.9	12
336	Hines Ward	WR	1998	2011	95	17.6	12
337	Brian Blades	WR	1988	1998	34	17.6	12
338	Bob Chandler	WR	1971	1982	48	17.2	12
339	Haywood Jeffires	WR	1987	1996	53	16.5	12
340	Wayne Chrebet	WR	1995	2005	43	16.5	12
341	Jim Mitchell	TE	1969	1979	29	15.6	12
342	J.J. Stokes	WR	1995	2003	30	14.9	12
343	Riley Odoms	TE	1972	1983	42	14.5	12
344	Kellen Winslow	TE	1979	1987	49	14.5	12
345	Mark Bavaro	TE	1985	1994	42	13.1	12
346	Todd Heap	TE	2001	2012	44	14.5	11.5
347	Brandon Marshall	WR	2006	2013	57	18.5	11
348	Larry Fitzgerald	WR	2004	2013	96	17.9	11
349	Jackie Harris	TE	1990	2001	25	15.8	11
350	Keith Jackson	TE	1988	1996	55	15.7	11
351	Russ Francis	TE	1975	1988	43	15.6	11
352	Antonio Gates	TE	2003	2013	88	15.4	11
353	Tom Mitchell	TE	1966	1977	25	15	11
354	Charle Young	TE	1973	1985	29	14.4	11
355	Rob Gronkowski	TE	2010	2013	45	13.8	11
356	Jerry Smith	TE	1965	1977	61	13.8	11
357	Keith Byars	RB	1986	1998	33	12.6	11
358	Tony Gonzalez	TE	1997	2013	115	12.4	11
359	David Hill	TE	1976	1987	30	10.7	11
360	Andrew Glover	TE	1991	2000	25	10.2	11
361	Brian Westbrook	RB	2002	2010	33	19.6	10
362	Carl Pickens	WR	1992	2000	63	17.5	10
363	Gordie Soltau	WR	1950	1958	25	17	10
364	Bobby Engram	WR	1996	2009	37	16.8	10
365	Bob Tucker	TE	1970	1980	27	16.4	10
366	Alge Crumpler	TE	2001	2010	41	16	10
367	Jimmy Graham	TE	2010	2013	44	15.5	10
368	Joe Jurevicius	WR	1998	2007	31	15.5	10
369	Thurman Thomas	RB	1988	2000	28	14.2	10
370	Steve Jordan	TE	1982	1994	29	13.8	10
371	Jason Witten	TE	2003	2013	52	13.8	10
372	Rickey Dudley	TE	1996	2004	34	13.6	10
373	Dave Casper	TE	1974	1984	59	13.1	10
374	Wesley Walls	TE	1989	2003	55	12.5	10
375	Ken Dilger	TE	1995	2004	25	12	10
376	Anthony Fasano	TE	2006	2013	27	11	10
377	Brent Jones	TE	1987	1997	38	13.8	9.5
378	Todd Christensen	TE	1979	1988	42	11.7	9.5
379	Bill McColl	WR	1952	1959	25	17.3	9
380	Ike Hilliard	WR	1997	2008	37	15.3	9
381	Jabar Gaffney	WR	2002	2012	27	15	9
382	Brent Celek	TE	2007	2013	29	14.8	9
383	Dallas Clark	TE	2003	2013	57	13.9	9
384	Kellen Winslow Jr.	TE	2004	2013	25	13	9
385	Billy Joe DuPree	TE	1973	1983	45	13	9
386	O.J. McDuffie	WR	1993	2000	30	12.9	9
387	Frank Wycheck	TE	1993	2003	29	12.6	9
388	Ben Watson	TE	2004	2013	33	12.5	9
389	Marcedes Lewis	TE	2006	2013	25	12.2	9
390	Visanthe Shiancoe	TE	2003	2013	28	10.9	8.5
391	Mike Williams	WR	2010	2013	25	19	8
392	Willie Frazier	TE	1964	1975	36	17.4	8
393	Bob Klein	TE	1969	1979	25	13.8	8
394	Mickey Shuler	TE	1978	1991	39	11.2	8
395	Charlie Sanders	TE	1968	1977	31	10.8	8
396	Jay Novacek	TE	1985	1995	36	12.8	7.5
397	Ben Coates	TE	1991	2000	51	12.6	7
398	Wes Welker	WR	2004	2013	53	12.1	7
399	Doug Cosbie	TE	1979	1988	33	11.7	7
400	Heath Miller	TE	2005	2013	44	10.1	7
401	Paul Coffman	TE	1978	1988	42	11.6	6.5
402	Daniel Graham	TE	2002	2012	26	10.7	6.5
403	Dave Moore	TE	1992	2006	28	10.3	6.5
404	Larry Centers	RB	1990	2003	29	9.1	6
405	Chad Lewis	TE	1997	2005	26	6.7	6
406	Pete Metzelaars	TE	1982	1997	31	11.8	5
407	Owen Daniels	TE	2006	2013	29	10.5	5
408	Desmond Clark	TE	1999	2010	28	10	5
409	Ed West	TE	1984	1997	27	9.6	5
410	Jeremy Shockey	TE	2002	2011	40	8.2	5
411	Kyle Brady	TE	1995	2007	26	7.7	4
412	Bubba Franks	TE	2000	2008	35	6.9	4
413	Bruce Hardy	TE	1978	1989	29	7	3

If you sort the table by career touchdowns, you’ll see that Jerry Rice and Randy Moss have pretty similar averages. Rice caught more short touchdowns, but he holds up pretty well to the man considered one of the all-time great deep threats. In fact, Rice had more career receiving touchdowns of 30+ yards, 40+ yards, 50+ yards, and 60+ yards than any other player in history. Among active players, Mike Wallace, DeSean Jackson, Robert Meachem, Nate Washington, and new Raven Steve Smith have the longest median length of touchdown reception.

What about the players who caught the shortest touchdowns? Wes Welker has caught a lot of short touchdown passes from Tom Brady and Peyton Manning. Including the playoffs, 28 of his career 53 touchdown catches were from inside the 7-yard line, the lowest rate of any wide receiver in history. Tampa Bay Mike Williams — you know, the guy who is one of the best Mike Williamses ever — is the only other wide receiver who had at least half of his receiving touchdowns come from inside the 8-yard line.

The positional designations don’t always hold up, especially the farther back in NFL history you go. Colts Hall of Famer Lenny Moore has the longest median length among running backs, but Moore frequently split out wide in Johnny Unitas’ offense. Going the other way, Arizona fullback Larry Centers was an excellent pass catcher, but he wasn’t particularly explosive. Fifteen of his career 29 receiving touchdowns were seven yards or shorter.

The player with the shortest median touchdown length is former Dolphins tight end Bruce Hardy. He was a favorite target of Dan Marino near the goal line, and the numbers back that up: 17 of his 29 career receiving touchdowns came from inside the three-yard line! Hardy never caught a touchdown outside of the red zone in the regular season, but he managed to catch a 50-yarder in the Epic in Miami against the Chargers (you can see video of this inexplicable event here). Two other tight ends actually had average touchdown lengths of less than 7 yards: Chad Lewis, a goal line favorite of Donovan McNabb, and Bubba Franks, a touchdown monster (and little else) during Brett Favre’s prime.