The NFL's Top 25 Wide Receivers Since 1985, Part II

After unveiling the first three standout receivers (Part 1) for the countdown of the 25 greatest receivers to enter the NFL since 1985, football's next three talented game-changers will now be revealed. Rather than mindlessly comparing career statistics or Pro Bowls, the receivers are ranked upon a wide range of contributing factors, including relative statistical value, physical and mental skill set, peak performance, lasting legacy, influence on the position, and performance relative to quarterback, era, team, and offensive philosophy.

22. Herman Moore, Virginia (Detroit Lions, No. 10, 1991)

Accolades: 4-time Pro Bowler, 3-time First Team All-Pro.

Statistics: 670 career receptions (36), 9,174 receiving yards (40), 62 receiving touchdowns (54), 62.8 receiving yards per game (32), three consecutive seasons of 100+ receptions, four straight seasons of 1,100+ receiving yards, single-season highs of 123 receptions, 1,686 receiving yards, and 14 receiving touchdowns.

Analysis: Undoubtedly, Moore remains amongst the 1990s' most productive receivers, while remarkably totaling 333 receptions during three consecutive All-Pro seasons from 1995 to 1997. The former UVA high-jumper, Moore, became one of the position's premier physical specimens, measuring 6'4", 210 pounds, and possessing tremendous overall athleticism for the beleaguered Detroit franchise. Moore utilized his freakish frame and natural leaping ability as well as any receiver in the league. In spite of the Lions' quarterback carousel, yet, certainly benefiting from Hall-of-Fame rusher Barry Sanders, Moore led the team in receiving for six straight seasons.

Ultimately, Moore's career production became relatively dense, as the receiver recorded merely 60 receptions from 1999 to 2002. However, the three-time All-Pro's period of dominance should not be overlooked, especially in light of the team's subsequent first-round receiver disasters, as well as Moore's collective skill set , as one of the first great "big" pass-catchers during the NFL's modern era.

21. Wes Welker, Texas Tech (Undrafted, 2004)

Accolades: 2-time Pro Bowler, 1-time First Team All-Pro.

Statistics: 442 career receptions, 4,809 receiving yards, 16 receiving touchdowns, 51.7 receiving yards per game, three consecutive seasons of 110+ catches and 1,100+ yards, led NFL in receptions in 2007 and 2009 (No. 2 in 2008), single-season highs of 123 receptions, 1,348 receiving yards, and 8 touchdowns.

Analysis: Welker certainly exhibited flashes of brilliance as a versatile receiver and return threat, during a brief stint in Miami. However, the undrafted receiver has since emerged as one of the most productive receivers, during a three-year span, in NFL history. In 2009, Welker became the first player ever to record 110 receptions in three consecutive seasons, while leading the league in catches for the second time in three seasons. Shockingly, Welker recorded 122 catches in roughly 13 games (missed two games completely and injured in the first quarter of week 17) in 2009, in addition to impressively totaling 111 receptions, without Tom Brady, in 2008. At times, the former Red Raider simply remains an impossible matchup for defenders, as evident by the receiver's seven double-digit catch performances (6 games of 100+ yards) in 2009.

Ultimately, Welker serves as arguably the greatest "pure slot-receiver" of all-time, whose performance continues to pervasively transcend the position, offensive philosophies, and NFL draft strategies. Brady's most targeted receiver routinely displays unparalleled fearlessness across the middle and tremendous elusiveness as a route-runner and after the catch, while ranking amongst the greatest "screen" and "hot-route" receivers in NFL history. According to Stats.com, Welker led all wide receivers in yards after the catch, with an astonishing 721 YAC in 2009, in addition to placing No. 2 amongst receivers in percentage of passes caught, recording an unbelievable 75.9% completion percentage. If Welker returns to Pro-Bowl form, after a devastating knee injury in 2009, the league's premier possession receiver will continue to pave an impressive path of unprecedented production for the foreseeable future, rewriting NFL record books in the process.

20. Andre Rison, Michigan State (Indianapolis Colts, No. 22, 1989)

Accolades: 5-time Pro Bowler, 1-time First Team All-Pro, Super Bowl XXXI champion.

Statistics: 743 career receptions (29), 10,205 receiving yards (31), 84 receiving touchdowns (14), 54.9 receiving yards per game (93), top two in receiving touchdowns for four consecutive Pro Bowl seasons, 5 different seasons of 1,000+ receiving yards, single-season highs of 93 receptions, 1,242 receiving yards, and 15 receiving touchdowns.

Analysis: Rison serves as one of the most naturally-gifted wide receivers to ever play the game, while becoming the position's highest-paid showman of all-time in 1995. Unfortunately, the perennial Pro Bowler's career suffered immensely from a series of significant controversies on and off the field. Nonetheless, Rison ranked amongst the 1990s' most dangerous downfield threats, as well as an electric receiver after the catch. Ultimately, Rison's productivity remains remarkable, in light of playing for seven different teams and an unimpressive cast of quarterbacks, during a majority of the speedster's career. Although "Bad Moon" Rison's extracurricular escapades overshadowed a stellar early career, the brash receiver's superior speed and game-changing ability certainly warrant inclusion amongst the NFL's top 25 pass-catchers to enter the league in the past 25 years.

References: All stats and biogrpahical information as referenced on Pro-Football-Reference.com.

Stats.Com, "NFL Leaders." http://hosted.stats.com/fb/leaders.asp?type=Receiving&range=NFL&rank=055.