Greatest CFL Receivers to Play in the NFL

When thinking of the Canadian Football League (CFL), what's the first thought that comes to mind? Immediately, fans think of the high scoring games and importance of the passing game. As such, one would think that the CFL would have a history of receivers who've made a name for themselves in the NFL. After all, they catch a lot of passes. However, regardless of this, there aren't a lot of CFL receivers who've made it in the NFL. At least not enough to be considered top tier players. So, who are the greatest CFL receivers to play in the NFL?

1. Joe Horn: Shreveport Pirates & Memphis Mad Dogs (CFL: 1995), Kansas City Chiefs (NFL: 1996-1999), New Orleans Saints (NFL:2000-2006) & Atlanta Falcons (NFL: 2007)

Joe Horn started his career with the Memphis Mad Dogs, who were an expansion team in the United States during the early 1990's. This attempt at southern expansion into the US, ultimately failed, but helped launch Joe Horn's career in the NFL. In his only season in the CFL, he lead the league with 1415 receiving yards. After some less than spectacular years in Kansas City, he was traded to New Orleans where he excelled, becoming a 4 time Pro-Bowler. While he has yet to retire, he finished in the NFL having amassed 603 receptions for 8,744 yards and 58 touchdowns.

2. Raghib Ismail: Toronto Argonauts (CFL: 1991-92) Los Angeles & Oakland Raiders (1993-1995) Carolina Panthers (1996-1998) & Dallas Cowboys (1999-2002)

When discussing the greatest CFL receivers to play in the NFL, no list is complete without mentioning Raghib Ismail. A college standout at Notre Dame, Raghib shocked everyone when he signed the biggest contract in Canadian Football League history in 1991 of $18.2 million to play for the Toronto Argonauts, who were owned at the time by actor John Candy, NHL superstar Wayne Gretzky, and Bruce McNall. While the NFL's Raiders owned his rights, the CFL had no reason to respect the NFL draft and Ismail signed immediately. In his first season, Ismail not only won the Grey Cup, but was that game's Grey Cup MVP. Although he only lasted two years up north, he made his mark before venturing south to the NFL. While never having been a Pro-Bowler, he did amass 363 receptions, 5295 receiving yards and 28 touchdowns in his NFL career. His best year came with Dallas in 1999 with 80 receptions for 1097 yards and 6 touchdowns.

3. Mervyn "Swervin Mervyn" Fernandez: BC Lions (CFL: 1982-1986 & 1994) Los Angeles Raiders (1987-1992)

Mervyn Fernandez was actually drafted by the Raiders in the 10^th round, but instead began his illustrious career up north with the CFL's BC Lions. A Grey Cup champion, two time Canadian Football League All-Star, and the winner of the CFL's Most Outstanding Player Award in 1985, Mervyn never made the Pro-bowl or achieved as much success in the NFL as he did in the CFL. However, he proved he could play and still sits 10^th in catches and 8^th in receiving yards in Raiders history. His best season came in 1989 when he caught 57 passes for 1069 yards, and 9 touchdowns. After his career in the NFL, he returned for a farewell season with the BC Lions in 1994.

Given its pass happy tendencies, it's surprising that there aren't more CFL receivers who've excelled in the NFL. Other notable mentions include Marc Boerighter of the CFL's Calgary Stampeders who enjoyed a couple of seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs in the early 2000's. Perhaps part of the problem is due to the kind of routes or separation required in the CFL as opposed to the NFL. In Canada, with more zone coverage, receivers use less set patterns and moves as they do running to an opening in the zone coverage. There are more crossing patterns in the CFL and the separation can sometimes occur only because of how wide the field is. There are also fewer instances where receivers set up defensive backs with quick outs, only to burn them on an out and up. With such a wide field, and room to move, not much is required to create space. While there aren't a lot, these three are the greatest CFL receivers to play in the NFL.