The Green Bay Packers have a rich history of great wide receivers. One of the most fun debates is which one of them is the best. It is no shock that for this list, the top five selected are also the top five receivers in terms in receiving yards in Packers history. Greatness, however, is determined by more than just receiving yards. When determining this ranking, a player’s dominance during their time in the NFL, their length of service with the team, and the number of All Pro/Pro Bowl Teams were taken into consideration.
1. Don Hutson- Left End/Defensive Back; 1935-1945
There is a reason why the Packers’ practice facility is named after Don Hutson. The man was an absolute force in the NFL during his eleven years in the league, not only on offense but also on defense. Many times, players from this time period are dismissed by modern fans because there were so few teams in the league; this is a fair point. However, no matter how few teams there were in the NFL at this time, for one player to dominate in such a way is nothing short of amazing.
Don Hutson led the NFL in receptions eight times, which is still an NFL record. Five of those eight times were in each of his final five seasons; no other player has led the league in receptions five times. Hutson led the NFL in receiving yards seven times, which is also still an NFL record. He also led the NFL in receiving touchdowns 9 times, which also is still an NFL record.
In addition to his offensive accomplishments, Don Hutson led the league in interceptions by a defensive back with six in 1940. In 1943, Hutson had a career-high eight interceptions and led the league in defensive return yards. His one defensive touchdown that year also tied for the league lead.
Hutson ended his career as an eight-time All-Pro and three-time NFL champion. He retired with the NFL record in career receiving touchdowns (99), which would stand for over 40 years. His 99 receiving touchdowns is still the Packers’ team record and his 7,991 career receiving yards are rank fourth in team history.
2. Sterling Sharpe- Wide Receiver; 1988-1994
Sterling Sharpe may have been the great receiver in the history of the NFL if he had not suffered a horrific neck injury at the end of the 1994 season. Sharpe was only able to play in seven seasons for the Green Bay Packers, but he never missed a single game in any of those seasons.
During his brief career, Sharpe led the NFL in receiving yards once, receptions three times, and receiving touchdowns twice. His best season was arguably 1992, when he led the league in receptions (108), receiving yards (1,461- career-high), and receiving touchdowns (13). He was also a five-time Pro Bowl Selection and made three All-Pro Teams.
Sterling Sharpe currently ranks third in Green Bay Packers history with 8,134 receiving yards. His 65 career touchdowns are also good for third in team history. Given the fact that his career was ended prematurely by injury, these stats are quite impressive. Even though he most likely will never be elected into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, he should have a case for induction. Read more about that here.
3. Donald Driver- Wide Receiver; 1999-2012
Donald Driver was not supposed to be on this list. In fact, he was almost not drafted into the NFL. However, when he was taken in the seventh round by then GM Ron Wolf, Driver started down a path to greatness.
While Driver never led the league in any receiving categories, his reliability and longevity helped him to produce seven 1,000-yard receiving seasons. He had six straight seasons of 1,000 or more receiving yards from 2004-2009. He was also named to three Pro Bowls and helped the Packers win Superbowl XLV.
Donald Driver’s 10,137 career receiving yards are the most in Packers history. He also holds the Packers all-time receptions record with 743. His 61 career receiving touchdowns rank fourth in team history.
4. James Lofton- Wide Receiver; 1978-1986
NFL Hall of Famer James Lofton enjoyed a long 16-year NFL career, spending the first nine of those seasons with the Green Bay Packers. In those nine years, Lofton produced five 1,000-yard seasons. He led the NFL in yards per reception two years in a row (1983-1984) and made seven Pro Bowls and one All Pro Team as a member of the Packers.
Lofton’s 9,656 receiving yards as a Packer rank second in team history. In addition, his 530 receptions as a member of the Packers are the fourth most for the franchise. His 49 receiving touchdowns with the team are eighth in Packers’ history.
James Lofton was elected into the NFL Hall of Fame in 2003.
5. Jordy Nelson- Wide Receiver; 2008-2017
Jordy Nelson enjoyed an 11-year NFL career, the first 10 seasons of which were with the Packers. He missed the entire 2015 season after tearing his ACL during a preseason game. He went on to lead the NFL in touchdown receptions with 14 in 2016, when he made his only All Pro Team and won the NFL Comeback Player of the Year Award.
During his time in Green Bay, Nelson had four seasons in which he had over 1,000 yards receiving. His 7,848 yards as a Packer are fifth most in team history. His 550 receptions are third most of all Packers receivers. Finally, his 69 receiving touchdowns as a Packer are second only to Don Hutson’s 99.
This article is part of a series analyzing the top five Packers players at each position. Check out the links below to read more about more Packers greats!
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