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

Accolades: 4-time Pro Bowler, 1-time First Team All-Pro.

Statistics: 523 career receptions, 7,067 receiving yards, 59 receiving touchdowns, 76.8 receiving yards per game (5), 95+ catches and double-digit touchdowns in four out of last five seasons, 1,400+ receiving yards in three different seasons, single-season highs of 103 receptions, 1,431 receiving yards, and 13 touchdowns.

Analysis: Fitzgerald emerges in a heated battle with the Texans' Andre Johnson for the current title as the league's most complete current receiver. The former Minnesota Vikings' ball-boy has excelled as a versatile vertical and horizontal threat since entering the league in '04, while significantly impacting the Cardinals' resurgence, including the team's remarkable run to the Super Bowl. In 2008, Fitzgerald contributed one of the greatest postseasons in NFL history, recording 30 receptions, 546 yards, and seven touchdowns in four playoff games. Blessed with tremendous athleticism, unsurpassed body control, and a future Hall-of-Fame quarterback in Warner, Fitzgerald's proven himself as one of the most dangerous red-zone threats in NFL history. Additionally, many critics consider Fitzgerald's hands the best amongst active receivers. The four-time Pro Bowler amassed 23 100-yard receiving games from 2005 to 2010, an astonishing measure of Fitzgerald's unparalleled consistency. Ultimately, few receivers in NFL history have experienced the success of Fitzgerald, at the six-year mark of their respective careers. If the Cardinals' face of the franchise continues to perform at such a remarkable rate, Fitzgerald could ultimately threaten many of Rice's seemingly "unbreakable" career records, albeit in today's "pass-happy" era.

9. Andre Johnson, Miami (Houston Texans, No. 3, 2003)

Accolades: 4-time Pro Bowler, 2-time First Team All-Pro.

Statistics: 587 career receptions, 7,948 receiving yards, 42 touchdowns, 77.9 receiving yards per game (2), 100+ receptions in three different seasons, 1,500+ receiving yards in back-to-back seasons, single-season highs of 115 receptions, 1,575 receiving yards, and nine touchdowns.

Analysis: Currently, Johnson ranks as the most productive receiver in the NFL, leading the league in receiving yards in each of the past two seasons. Apart from Randy Moss, Johnson arguably possesses the greatest physical attributes of any receiver in league history. The former standout from the "U" has perfected the quick slant route, while many consider Johnson amongst the NFL's top blocking receivers. Johnson's versatility remains unrivaled, allowing the 6'3" receiver with 4.4 speed to routinely dismantle opposing teams' bracket coverage. While Houston's Matt Schaub continues to improve, Johnson certainly has not benefited from the presence of an elite NFL quarterback, further magnifying the All-Pro receiver's superior productivity. Unfortunately, the soft-spoken Texan's true impact may not become fully realized until the team successfully reaches the postseason. Nonetheless, consider Johnson and Fitzgerald in an elite class of their own, amongst active receivers, while garnering recognition as two of the top receivers of the past two decades.

8. Sterling Sharpe, South Carolina (Green Bay Packers, No. 7, 1988)

Accolades: 5-time Pro Bowler, 3-time First Team All-Pro.

Statistics: 595 career receptions, (50), 8,134 receiving yards (71), 65 career touchdowns (40), 72.6 receiving yards per game (11), led NFL in receptions in three different seasons, receiving yards in 1992, and receiving touchdowns twice, single-season highs of 112 receptions, 1,461 receiving yards, and 18 touchdowns.

Analysis: Although an unfortunate neck injury abruptly ended Sharpe's career, the former Gamecock ranks amongst the most talented receivers of all-time. Sharpe impressively averaged 90 receptions, 1,223 receiving yards, and 10+ touchdowns during the All-Pro's final six seasons in the league. Sharpe possessed unprecedented physical talents including elite athleticism, superior strength, unrivaled toughness, and terrific hands, while serving as one of the most dominant receivers in NFL history. If not for the devastating injury, Sharpe likely would have become one of the two or three most productive receivers of all-time, certainly benefiting greatly from a career as Favre's favorite target. Nonetheless, Sharpe impressively led the Packers in receiving in all seven seasons with the team and should remain considered one of the top talents to ever play the wide receiver position.

References: All statistics and biographical information as reflected on Pro-Football-Reference.com.