Twenty of the best wide receivers in Philadelphia Eagles history.
We refer to them as “divas.” They are frequently called “selfish.” Some have even earned comparisons to “icing on the cake.” Some claim you don’t need excellent receivers to win a Super Bowl. That might be accurate. But ask any signal-caller for the Philadelphia Eagles. It gets harder to do so if your offense is missing one or two. Donovan McNabb is hanging out somewhere and he’s posing a question to himself. When I was playing, where were A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith? You are completely understood, 5! On certain days, we pose identical queries to ourselves.
Unlike, instance, the cross-state Pittsburgh Steelers, Philly isn’t recognized for having outstanding receivers. On the other hand, we have witnessed a few rock the Kelly and Midnight Green. Fasten your seatbelt. This is their tale. What transpires if we stack a few handfuls of names? We appreciate you asking. Please join us aboard our malfunctioning “Wentz Wagon.” One ranking, twenty Eagles receivers. This is the way it worked out. We wish you pleasure!
20. Alshon Jeffrey Term of Office: 2017–20 No matter where he started his career, what transpired with Carson Wentz, or how things ended in Philadelphia, Alshon Jeffery will always be remembered for his catch on Nick Foles’ bomb in the NFC Championship Game and his touchdown catch in the Super Bowl. 19. Tenure of Jordan Matthews: 2014–16, 2018–19
The 42nd overall pick in the 2014 NFL Draft was Jordan Matthews. He had two great tours of duty in Philadelphia. Never forget the overtime touchdown pass he and Sam Bradford shared with the despised Dallas Cowboys to win the game. Throughout his NFL career, he has seen a number of clubs, yet he still feels like one of us. After accumulating over 3,000 yards and 21 touchdowns in 62 regular-season games, he is worthy of a spot on our list. 18. Charlie Smith (1974–1981)
Charlie Smith, a former receiver at Grambling State, was a rival of Harold Carmichael in college. The Los Angeles Rams added him as an undrafted rookie free agent to the NFL. By 1974, he, Carmichael, and former Eagles defensive end Ricky Smith were members of the Philly squad as colleagues. Smith continued to play for the Eagles for eight seasons. He caught 218 passes for 3,349 yards and made 24 trips to the end zone. That is excellent for a UDFA. 17. Terell Owens Position Held: 2004–2005
Terrell Owens would undoubtedly rank higher on this list if we were talking about the greatest wide receivers in NFL history. We have to put somebody ahead of him in his position as an Eagles wideout. But we also cannot overlook the storm he brought to 21 games or his performance in Super Bowl XXXIX. If only Donovan McNabb and him could have resolved their problems.
T.O. had the potential to become one of Philly’s favorite sons since he was so gifted and well-liked in the City of Brotherly Love. Unfortunately, the only things that come to mind when we think of him are his home opener debut, the game-winning touchdown against the Baltimore Ravens, the fractured leg, the return, the nine Super Bowl catches, and driveway sit-ups. Whoa. What might have been. 16. Irving Fryar served from 1996 to 1998.
No one will recall Irving Fryar as an Eagles wide receiver. He is a member of the 50th Anniversary Team and the All-1980s Team for the New England Patriots. But what a run he had in Philadelphia for three seasons. Fryar made 48 appearances in 48 games, 48 of which he started. He caught 222 passes for 3,067 yards and scored 19 touchdowns. He was elected onto two Pro Bowl rosters in exchange for his trouble. For three seasons, he was pretty good, even though he might not be an Eagle for life. 15. From 2021 till the present, DeVonta Smith
List ten Eagles wide receivers who has greater innate ability than DeVonta Smith. Remain calm. We’ll hold off. Continue to check in. When he decides he’s done playing, he’ll be considerably higher on this list. In 2021, DeVonta broke the team record for receiving yards by a rookie. Although tight end Zach Ertz still holds the franchise record for the most catches in a single season by any player, regardless of position, A.J. Brown broke that record in 2023. Brown’s 95 receptions in Year 2 were the most of any Eagles wide receiver at the time.
DeVonta is incredibly strong. We genuinely think that. Put your feet up and take in the performance. 14. A.J. Brown Position held since 2022 The 2022 NFL Draft’s opening night saw an unusual deal that brought A.J. Brown to Philadelphia. Like a victorious conqueror, he rode into town. What’s more, he has performed like one. With his ability to sprint past and over cornerbacks, A.J. presents a nightmare for opponents. He won’t be out of the top 10 for very long, just like DeVonta. 13. Tenure of Jason Avant: 2006–13
The greatest wide receiver triumvirate Merrill Reese has ever seen were Jason Avant, DeSean Jackson, and Jeremy Maclin of the Eagles. Hey, they should be good enough for all of us if they can pass Merrill’s eyeball test. Avant would be beneficial to Eagles football in any age. During 116 regular-season games with 52 starts, he caught everything his route to 297 receptions, 3,646 yards receiving, and 12 touchdowns. In eight postseason games, four of which he started, he also hauled in 25 receptions for 259 yards and a trip to the end zone.
Calvin Williams served from 1990 to 1996. Calvin Williams made a strong start to his career in 1990, earning a position on Football News’ All-Rookie Team. He was a little man. Despite his 5-foot-11 height and 181-pound weight, he played with the assurance of a larger man. Despite not being selected for the Pro Bowl, Williams has amassed 295 receptions, 3,840 yards, and 34 touchdowns in 93 regular-season games with 83 starts. He is now etched in the Eagles record book. During six postseason games, he added 200 yards receiving, 17 receptions, and another receiving touchdown.
Calvin, give a bow! You deserve it! 11. Fred Barnett Position Held: 1990–1995 Fred Barnett was the player on the other side of the formation in numerous of Calvin Williams’s previously noted in-game appearances. The former Arkansas State Red Wolves star was selected in the third round of the 1990 NFL Draft and was named to an All-Rookie Team similar to the Pro Football Writers of America’s Mr. Williams. In 1992, he eventually made it onto a Pro Bowl roster.
Barnett tops Williams on our ranking due to his Pro Bowl nomination. His argument was further enhanced by a stunning 308 receptions, 4,634 receiving yards, and 28 touchdowns in 91 regular-season games. The 18 receptions, 283 receiving yards, and three touchdowns he had in five Eagles postseason games didn’t help either. 10. Ben Hawkins (1966–1973)
Although Ben Hawkins was a player during a period of poor Eagles football performance, it would be difficult to attribute any of the team’s shortcomings to him. In 1967, he had the most receiving yards in the NFL (yet he was left off the Pro Bowl roster). In 1975, he even relished a stint of service as the Philadelphia Bell of the World Football League. How about sacrificing everything for a city?
Hawkins’ tenure with the team saw Philly win just 37 of 112 games, but the native of Belmar, New Jersey, did contribute, amassing 261 yards, 4,764 receiving yards, and 32 touchdowns in 102 games with 93 starts. Sad that he was never able to participate in a postseason game. 9. Jeremy Maclin (1909–14) In most NFL Drafts, Andy Reid selected an offensive or defensive lineman in the first round. With the 19th overall pick in 2009, the Eagles took a chance on a Missouri wide receiver. He ended up getting pretty damn good results from that choice.
Maclin, a native of Kirkwood, Missouri, got along well as one of the adopted sons of the City of Brotherly Love. He was a 2014 Pro Bowler who sacrificed blood, sweat, and tears for the Eagles franchise. Throughout the regular season, he accomplished this (343 receptions, 4,771 receiving yards, and 36 touchdowns in 75 games). In the postseason, he accomplished this (two games, ten receptions, 219 receiving yards, and one touchdown). Like many players on this list, Maclin could have played well in any offensive scheme used by the Eagles. 8. Bobby Walston, 1951–1962,
Bobby Walston occasionally gets lost in the shuffle, as in the country. Knowing this team’s past, no ardent Eagles supporter has to be reminded of how amazing he was. He is inducted into the Eagles Hall of Fame, the Philadelphia Sports Hall of Fame, and the NFL’s 1950s All-Decade Team. But there’s more to his résumé than that. In addition to being a two-time Pro Bowl player and a member of the Eagles squad that won the 1960 NFL Championship, he led the NFL in scoring in 1954. That is an extremely impressive résumé for a 14th-round pick who was selected at No. 166.
7. Harold Jackson, 1969–1972, The Los Angeles Rams selected Harold Jackson 323rd overall in the 1968 NFL Draft. That made you a 12th-round pick back then. In 1969, he made his way to Philadelphia. One of the greatest streaks in Eagles history ensued: 52 starts throughout the regular season, 56 receptions, 3,493 passing yards, and 21 receiving touchdowns. In 1969, he set NFL records for receiving yards and yards per game. In 1972, he also set records in receiving yards (1,048), yards per game (74.9), and receptions (62).
He was recognized for his efforts with two Pro Bowl selections (1969, 1972) and a second-team All-Pro selection (1972). If he hadn’t played in a period of poor Eagles football, he could have gotten more praise for his stay. 6. Mike Fast Career: 1982–1990 Mike Quick established himself as one of the finest receivers in franchise history prior to becoming the color analyst for the Eagles radio call. He shares ownership of a 99-yard touchdown reception that will always stand as a record. He is deserving of both the Philadelphia Eagles Hall of Fame and a ranking in the top 10.