Calvin Johnson of the Detroit Lions set an NFL record for most years receiving in a regular season when he took his total to 1892 yards at the weekend, putting him among some distinguished alumni.
Calvin Johnson (2012): 1,892 yards
The best nickname, “Megatron”, in this group and the NFL’s premier receiver for the past two seasons. The tallest (6ft 5ins) and heaviest (239 pounds) on this list, he aims to extend his record as his Detroit Lions have one more game to play this regular season. Admittedly, he plays in a prolific passing era.
Jerry Rice (1995): 1,848 yards The man whose record Johnson broke is still considered the top receiver in NFL history. His record of 22,895 career receiving yards is nearly 7,000 more than the runner-up, and his 208 touchdowns are a record. The prime target for the San Francisco 49ers quarterback Steve Young.
Isaac Bruce (1995): 1,781 yards The only man on the list who worked with a less-than-elite quarterback, Chris Miller. Bruce accounted for 43 per cent of all receiving yards for a St Louis Rams team that finished 7-9. He is fourth on the career receiving yards list, with 15,208.
Charley Hennigan (1961): 1,746 yards His was the most productive season among receivers in the first 75 years of NFL history, and he did it for the Houston Oilers in only 14 games in a regular season; modern football teams play 16. He was the favourite target of the quarterback George Blanda.
Marvin Harrison (2002): 1,722 yards This was the greatest of many fine seasons for the slightly built Indianapolis Colts receiver, who benefited from having a young Peyton Manning throwing to him. He averaged more than 1,000 yards per season over a 10-year stretch from 2000 to 2009.