The 20 best wide receivers in the history of the Green Bay Packers

It's impossible to discuss the Green Bay Packers' history without mentioning the names of the great wide receivers who have worn the green and gold.

The Packers have enjoyed a rich history of quarterback play, and the same is true at wide receiver. Many of the NFL's all-time greats spent time in Green Bay, catching passes from Bart Starr, Brett Favre, and Aaron Rodgers.

Despite often passing on the position in the first round, the Packers have always had a tremendous track record of drafting and developing wide receivers.

Ranking the greatest receivers to play for the Packers is no easy task. Still, it's fun to revisit the legendary careers of many incredible pass catchers who have produced memorable moments in the green and gold.

Criteria for selection

Our rankings consider various factors, including on-field production, statistics, longevity, consistency, and memorable moments.

Statistics shed light on an individual player's impact, which is especially important at the wide receiver position. Hitting the 1,000-yard milestone proves a pass catcher has become a focal point of the passing attack.

Longevity is also important. Making one Pro Bowl deserves praise, but producing at an elite level year in and year out helps differentiate very good players from the great ones. The best receivers continue to produce even when the opposing team's main focus is stopping them.

As fans, we live for the moments. Wins, losses, and statistics all count, but we remember the individual moments of brilliance. A crucial catch to win a game. An unbelievable play against the odds. What about leadership? Who sets the example for their teammates and steps up when the team needs them the most?

We took all these factors into account when building our wide receiver rankings. Over the years, Packers fans have enjoyed watching several receivers who check every box.

The top 20 wide receivers in Green Bay Packers history

20. Allen Lazard (2018-2022)

It's impossible not to love Allen Lazard's story. He entered the league as an undrafted free agent with the Jacksonville Jaguars but didn't make the 53-man roster, putting his NFL future in doubt. The Packers gave him an opportunity, and the rest was history.

Injuries forced Lazard into the lineup against the Detroit Lions in Week 6 of the 2019 season, and he earned Aaron Rodgers' attention by catching four passes for 65 yards and a touchdown.

Lazard quickly became one of Rodgers' most trusted targets, catching 169 passes for 2,336 yards across five seasons while establishing himself as an outstanding blocker.

19. John Jefferson (1981-1984)

The Packers aimed to build one of the league's best receiver duos when they traded for John Jefferson in 1981, where he would play alongside James Lofton. Green Bay sent a first-rounder, two second-rounders, and Aundra Thompson to the San Diego Chargers for Jefferson, who had made three Pro Bowls and All-Pro teams in as many seasons.

Jefferson did well in Green Bay, making one Pro Bowl while putting up 2,253 yards and 11 touchdowns across four seasons, but he fell short of expectations.

His arrival helped the Packers' offense improve significantly. During his four seasons with the team, the unit ranked 23rd, 12th, second, and sixth. They hadn't finished inside the top 10 since 1968.

18. Javon Walker (2002-2005)

There was once a time when the Packers actually used first-round picks at the wide receiver position. Green Bay selected Javon Walker with the 20th overall selection in 2002.

Walker only started two games as a rookie but led the team in receiving in his second season, catching 41 passes for 716 yards and nine touchdowns. He did the same in 2004, making 89 receptions for 1,382 yards and 12 touchdowns, earning Pro Bowl honors.

However, Walker grew frustrated with the Packers as he felt he deserved a new contract. He continued to play, but the former first-round pick suffered a torn ACL in the season opener of the 2005 season, which ended up being his final game for the team. In April 2006, Green Bay traded Walker to the Denver Broncos for a second-round pick.

17. Bill Schroeder (1994, 1996-2001)

Bill Schroeder had to wait for his opportunity. The sixth-round pick spent his rookie season on the Packers' practice squad and even got traded to the New England Patriots, but he returned to Green Bay in 1997 and eventually got his chance.

After putting up 452 yards and a touchdown in 1998, Schroeder enjoyed a breakout season with 74 catches for 1,051 yards and five touchdowns a year later, helping the Packers' offense finish ninth in the NFL. Schroeder had game-changing speed, making him a deep threat for Brett Favre to target. He averaged 15.3 yards per catch and had six touchdowns of at least 30 yards during his time in Green Bay.

16. Phillip Epps (1982-1988)

At 5-10, 165 pounds, Phillip Epps didn't have the prototypical size for a Packers wide receiver, but his world-class speed made him a big-play machine. According to the Packers' official website, Epps ran 100 meters in a little over 10 seconds and set one of the best 200-meter times at 20.1 seconds.

It translated to plays on the football field, both as a receiver and punt returner. During his seven-year stay in Green Bay, Epps caught 192 passes for 2,884 yards and 14 touchdowns, with 11 of his touchdown catches at least 20 yards in distance.

15. Robert Brooks (1992-1998)

Robert Brooks was responsible for many incredible moments with the Packers, including an NFL-record 99-yard touchdown catch. He also posted one of the franchise's greatest seasons for a wide receiver, catching 102 passes for 1,497 yards and 13 touchdowns in 1995. At the time, it was the team's highest total for receiving yards in a single season, a record since beaten by Jordy Nelson and Davante Adams.

Following Sterling Sharpe's career-ending injury, Brooks stepped into the role of No. 1 wide receiver, and he delivered with his record-breaking 1995 season. However, Brooks dealt with his own bad injury luck, including a torn ACL that ended his season in 1996. He triumphantly returned to post over 1,000 yards and take home the PFWA NFL Comeback Player of the Year award in 1997, but back injuries led to an early retirement at 29 years old.

14. Carroll Dale (1965-1972)

Carroll Dale played a starring role in three championship seasons under Vince Lombardi, which included the first two Super Bowls. Dale finished second and first in receiving yards for the Packers in their two Super Bowl seasons, respectively, posting 1,556 yards and 13 touchdowns across those campaigns.

He also saved some of his best moments for the biggest stage. Dale caught a 47-yard touchdown pass in the NFL championship win over the Cleveland Browns in 1965 and a 51-yard score in the same game a year later to help beat the Dallas Cowboys.

A three-time Pro Bowler, Dale made a huge impact in some of the Packers' most famous seasons.

13. James Jones (2007-2013, 2015)

When Aaron Rodgers needed a play, he knew he could trust James Jones. The former third-round pick became a reliable target in the Packers' explosive passing offense in the early years of the Rodgers era. He put up 4,305 yards and 37 touchdowns in his first seven-year stint with the team, which included making a league-best 14 touchdown catches in 2012.

The Packers moved on when Jones' contract expired in 2014, drafting Davante Adams to replace him. But following Jordy Nelson's season-ending injury in the 2015 preseason, Jones returned, instantly recapturing his connection with Rodgers to catch two touchdowns in his second Packers debut. Green Bay's offense struggled without Nelson, but Jones made an impact with a career-high 890 receiving yards to go with eight touchdowns while famously wearing a hoodie late in the season.

12. Randall Cobb (2011-2018, 2021-2022)

Randall Cobb made one of the greatest debuts in franchise history, scoring a receiving and punt-return touchdown in a memorable 42-34 victory over the New Orleans Saints. Cobb quickly became an excellent slot receiver, catching 306 passes for 3,878 yards and 31 touchdowns in his first five seasons.

Cobb produced some of the most memorable moments of the Aaron Rodgers era. His 48-yard touchdown on fourth-and-8 in his first game back from a broken leg helped the Packers beat the Chicago Bears to the NFC North title. In the 2016 playoff win over the New York Giants, he caught three touchdowns, including a Hail Mary. And nobody will ever forget his 75-yard touchdown to complete one of the team's greatest comebacks against the Bears, having trailed 20-0 at halftime.

A former Pro Bowler, Cobb will go down as one of Rodgers' favorite and most reliable targets.

11. Billy Howton (1952-1958)

Billy Howton may have barely missed playing in the Vince Lombardi era, but it didn't stop him from making a significant impact in the Packers' offense. Green Bay struggled to win games in the 1950s before Lombardi's arrival, but it was by no fault of Howton, who made four Pro Bowls and two first-team All-Pros during his time with the Packers. He also led the league in receiving yards and yards per game on multiple occasions.

Howton posted receiving totals that would hold up in today's NFL. In his rookie season in 1952, the second-round pick caught 53 passes for 1,231 yards and 13 touchdowns. In 1956, he made 55 receptions for 1,188 yards and 12 touchdowns. He sits just outside the top 10 all-time for receiving yards and receiving touchdowns for the Packers, ranking 12th in both categories.

10. Max McGee (1954-1967)

Fun fact: Max McGee caught the first touchdown in a Super Bowl. And his impact in that game went well beyond that. McGee caught seven passes for 138 yards and two touchdowns, a performance for the ages that helped Green Bay take down the Kansas City Chiefs in a dominant 35-10 victory. Making it even more impressive was that McGee was coming to the end of his career and only had 91 yards and a touchdown in 10 regular-season games that year.

Earlier in his career, McGee was the star receiver for Vince Lombardi's Packers, setting the pace in receiving yards in Lombardi's first four seasons. McGee was a five-time NFL champion and two-time Super Bowl champion, made one Pro Bowl, and even led the league in punting yards twice.

9. Boyd Dowler (1959-1969)

At 6-foot-5 and 224 pounds but with the speed to outrun defenders, there was little opponents could do to stop Boyd Dowler throughout the Vince Lombardi era. Dowler played a crucial role in five NFL championship wins and the first two Super Bowls. He made two Pro Bowls and was part of the 1960s All-Decade Team.

What separates Dowler from some of the other receivers in these rankings are the moments. The former third-round pick opened the scoring with two touchdowns against the Dallas Cowboys in the Ice Bowl, and he also caught the first touchdown of Super Bowl II, a 62-yarder from Bart Starr.

Dowler is seventh all-time in receiving yards for the Packers and eighth in receptions. He found a way to make a significant impact as a receiver, even in an era when they ran the ball more frequently.

8. Antonio Freeman (1995-2003)

Antonio Freeman is responsible for two of the most memorable receptions in franchise history. There was the famous "He did what?" catch on Monday Night Football in 2000 when Freeman held onto a pass that bounced off his back shoulder and never hit the ground. He got to his feet and ran in for the game-winning touchdown over the Minnesota Vikings. Freeman also made a legendary 81-yard touchdown catch to help the Packers beat the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XXXI.

He starred in Green Bay's back-to-back Super Bowl appearances, catching a combined 12 passes for 231 yards and three touchdowns in the two games. Freeman saved his best for 1998 when he led the NFL with 1,424 receiving yards to go with 14 touchdowns. It earned him first-team All-Pro and Pro Bowl honors for the first time in his career.

Freeman's 57 career touchdowns rank sixth all-time for the Packers, and he is eighth and ninth in receiving yards and receptions, respectively.

7. Greg Jennings (2006-2012)

Greg Jennings didn't exactly endear himself to Packers fans after signing with the rival Minnesota Vikings in 2013, but it's important to remember his legendary career in Green Bay. Without Jennings, the Packers wouldn't have won Super Bowl XLV.

Not only did he set the pace for the Packers receivers with 1,265 yards and 12 touchdowns in the regular season (no other player reached 700 yards), but he stepped up in the Super Bowl with two crucial touchdown catches.

During his seven-year stay in Green Bay, Jennings made 425 catches for 6,537 yards and 53 touchdowns, including three consecutive 1,000-yard seasons from 2008 to 2010. He made two Pro Bowls, became a Super Bowl champion, and is now a deserving member of the Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame.

6. Jordy Nelson (2008-2017)

Was there anything more beautiful than a 75-yard Aaron Rodgers rainbow pass hitting Jordy Nelson in stride for a touchdown? This connection punished defenses throughout the Rodgers era, with Nelson establishing himself as one of the franchise's all-time great receivers.

Underappreciated and underrated by the rest of the NFL but not in Green Bay, Nelson led the way for a dominant Packers passing offense. He had a telepathic connection with Rodgers. They read defenses the same way, and their timing was impeccable.

With crisp route-running and elite acceleration, Nelson could make any play in the short, intermediate, or deep passing game.

Nelson also stepped up when it mattered the most. He saved his best postseason performance for Super Bowl XLV, catching nine passes for 140 yards and a touchdown. One of Rodgers' greatest weapons, Nelson ranks fourth in franchise history for receptions (550), sixth in receiving yards (7,848), and third in receiving touchdowns (69).

5. Donald Driver (1999-2012)

Donald Driver's story is among the greatest in NFL history, going from undrafted to the Packers' leader in receiving yards. Considering the number of incredible pass-catchers who have worn the green and gold over the years, it was some accomplishment.

It took time, and Driver had to overcome the odds to even get an opportunity. In his first three seasons, Driver managed only 37 catches for 520 yards and three touchdowns while he was buried on the depth chart. Had it not been for his value on special teams, he may have never returned for a fourth season.

But the Packers were sure glad they kept him. Driver's hard work paid off, as in 2002, he put together the first of seven 1,000-yard seasons. Between 2002 and 2009, Driver caught 610 passes for 8,530 yards and 46 touchdowns, showing incredible consistency. He made four Pro Bowls, including in 2010, the year the Packers won Super Bowl XLV.

Driver spent 14 seasons in Green Bay. He leads the way in receiving yards (10,137) and receptions (743) and is fifth in touchdown catches (61). Legendary.

4. Sterling Sharpe (1988-1994)

Sterling Sharpe enjoyed one of the most dominant three-season stretches in Packers history. He was already an outstanding receiver before Brett Favre's arrival in 1992. But when they connected, the rest was history. From 1992 to 1994, Sharpe caught 314 passes for 3,854 yards and 42 touchdowns, an astonishing run that resulted in three straight Pro Bowls and two first-team All-Pro selections. In 1992, he led the league in receptions, receiving yards, and receiving touchdowns.

Unfortunately, a neck injury forced Sharpe to retire after only six seasons. He was well on his way to building a Hall of Fame resume. Still, in a short time, he became one of the Packers' greatest wide receivers, making 595 receptions for 8,134 yards and 65 touchdowns.

He ranks third in franchise history for receptions (595), third in receiving yards (8,134), and fourth in receiving touchdowns (65). He would be even higher on the list had it not been for injury. Defenses had no answer for the legendary Favre-Sharpe connection.

3. Davante Adams (2014-2021)

After a disappointing 2015 season, Davante Adams' second in the NFL, many fans were ready to move on. Despite posting solid numbers as the No. 3 receiver in his rookie year, Adams struggled to fill the void in Jordy Nelson's absence in 2015, dealing with drops and a frustrating ankle injury.

Then, everything changed.

Adams enjoyed a breakout 2016 season, catching 75 passes for 997 yards and 12 touchdowns. Even with Nelson back in the lineup, Adams soon became Aaron Rodgers' top target. Between 2016 and 2021, he caught 581 passes for 7,192 yards and 69 touchdowns, posting double-digit scores five times in six years.

With an unstoppable release, elite route-running, and late hands, Adams has taken down every defender and game plan in his way. During his eight seasons in Green Bay, the former second-round pick made five Pro Bowls and two first-team All-Pros. He also led the league in receiving touchdowns in 2020.

Adams has continued to build his Hall of Fame resume with the Las Vegas Raiders, but his connection with Rodgers in Green Bay became unstoppable. Adams is second for the Packers all-time in receptions (669), fourth in receiving yards (8,121), and second in receiving touchdowns (73). He is a future Green Bay Packers Hall of Famer and is building a strong case to make the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

2. James Lofton (1978-1986)

James Lofton's game-changing speed made him one of the best deep threats in football. Twice during his legendary Packers career, he led the league in yards per catch with 22.4 and 22.0 in 1983 and 1984, respectively. Lofton caught 49 touchdowns during his nine-year stay in Green Bay, of which 19 were at least 30 yards.

Lofton hit over 1,000 yards five times in a six-season stretch between 1980 and 1985. During that time, he caught 366 passes for 7,030 yards and 35 touchdowns.

The former sixth overall pick is one of just two former Packers wide receivers in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. He made four All-Pro teams and earned seven Pro Bowl honors with the Packers. His 9,656 receiving yards rank second behind only Donald Driver in team history, and he is sixth all-time in receptions and ninth in receiving touchdowns.

The Packers traded Lofton to the Los Angeles Raiders ahead of his age-31 season, and he continued to play for another seven years. But Lofton's best seasons came during his time in Green Bay, where he put up Hall of Fame numbers and became one of the Packers' all-time great receivers.

1. Don Hutson (1935-1945)

The word "unstoppable" gets used far too often with NFL wide receivers, but Don Hutson truly was. Defenses couldn't stop him, no matter how many players they had covering him. His connection with quarterback Arnie Herber changed the game, with the Packers showing the rest of the league how to consistently hurt defenses with the forward pass.

It's hard to know where to start when reeling off Hutson's accomplishments.

He was a two-time NFL MVP, an eight-time first-team All-Pro, a four-time NFL All-Star, and won three NFL championships. But that's just the beginning. Hutson led the league in receiving yards seven times, in receptions eight times, and in receiving touchdowns nine times. No player in history has led the league in touchdowns more than Hutson. Five times, he led the NFL in scoring.

It's hard to believe how dominant Hutson was as a receiver during the 1930s and 1940s. He holds records to this day, including leading the Packers all-time with 99 receiving touchdowns. Davante Adams is the closest to beating the record but still fell 26 touchdowns short. Hutson ranks seventh for Packers career receptions and fifth in receiving yards.

There will never be another Don Huston. The Pro Football Hall of Famer is arguably the greatest pass-catcher in NFL history.

The 10 best wide receivers in Packers history by receiving yards