Greatest WRs in Jets History

[y2k8]

 

Al Toon was the most talented receiver I ever saw play for the Jets.

Wesley Walker was the greatest game breaking WR I ever saw play for the Jets.

That tandum was exceptional. Both of them unfortunately paid a heavy price healthwise.

(Born too late to see Maynard)

[Jet_Engine1]

Its Don Maynard, George Sauer, Walker, Toon.... and then just a bunch of guys.

I love Chrebet and I like Coles a lot, but they weren't "great" or "elite" at any time in their careers. Wilson could be up there, but not yet... and he's been trying to learn how to be an elite NFL WR with the worst QB play in the league. We shall see. 

[RutgersJetFan]

Toon is probably the single best football player this franchise ever drafted. 

[Smashmouth]

12 hours ago, JKlecko said:

 I've seen them all play, and Toon was not better than Maynard or Walker.  Period.

Then you didn't see them play ...the only thing thast held Toon back from being 1 of the greatest of all time In the NFL not just on the Jets was his career being cut short on some vicious hits he took that basically ruined his career. Anyone who saw Toon play pre injuries knew that .

[Jet Nut]

1 hour ago, Smashmouth said:

Then you didn't see them play ...the only thing thast held Toon back from being 1 of the greatest of all time In the NFL not just on the Jets was his career being cut short on some vicious hits he took that basically ruined his career. Anyone who saw Toon play pre injuries knew that .

Toon wasn’t as good as either through his run before the concussions took over.  He caught plenty of passes but with the same QB as Walker, nowhere near the yardage.  Toon was averaging 11-13 yards per and Walker 20’s.  Walker finished with 19 per after 13 seasons, Toon 12 and change after 8.  
Maynard was the best of the three.  As I said earlier, you can’t claim that Toon was better when Maynard retired #1 in career yardage, #1 in career receptions, #2 in career TDs.  For the NFL, numbers that remained in the books for years as NFL bests, not just the Jets.  

[Rich Thornburgh]

4 hours ago, Jet_Engine1 said:

Its Don Maynard, George Sauer, Walker, Toon.... and then just a bunch of guys.

I love Chrebet and I like Coles a lot, but they weren't "great" or "elite" at any time in their careers. Wilson could be up there, but not yet... and he's been trying to learn how to be an elite NFL WR with the worst QB play in the league. We shall see. 

Been watching Jets football since the Kotite years, Garrett is the most talented wide receiver we ever had he just hasn’t had a quarterback yet

[JKlecko]

5 hours ago, nj meadowlands said:

Off the cuff...

1. Don Maynard
2. Wesley Walker
3. Al Toon (would've surpassed Wesley if not for longevity)
4. Laveranues Coles
5. Wayne Chrebet
6. George Sauer
7. Keyshawn Johnson
8. Jerricho Cotchery
9. Brandon Marshall (2015 is enough to give him Top 10 standing)
10. Santana Moss
11. Rob Moore
12. Eric Decker
13. Derrick Gaffney
14. Santonio Holmes
15. Jeremy Kerley (convinced he would've been an excellent player if he didn't play in the Dark Ages)

There's no way that Coles and Chrebet were better than Sauer!!!!

[JKlecko]

1 hour ago, Smashmouth said:

Then you didn't see them play ...the only thing thast held Toon back from being 1 of the greatest of all time In the NFL not just on the Jets was his career being cut short on some vicious hits he took that basically ruined his career. Anyone who saw Toon play pre injuries knew that .

Utter nonsense!!!  You didn't see them play, or have no clue what you're seeing when you watch. I saw them all play.  Toon was nowhere near as good Maynard or Walker.   You couldn't be more wrong!

[#27TheDominator]

44 minutes ago, JKlecko said:

Utter nonsense!!!  You didn't see them play, or have no clue what you're seeing when you watch. I saw them all play.  Toon was nowhere near as good Maynard or Walker.   You couldn't be more wrong!

I didn't see much of Maynard.  He was my Dad's favorite, but I saw the entire career's of the other two and Toon was better than Walker IMO.  

The idea that Brandon Marshall belongs on this list is laughable.  He had one great year with Decker drawing coverage.  He then proceeded to destroy the team from within and had a shockingly poor season while remaining a disgraceful target hog the following year.  Take him on your all-time team if you want.  I would beat you with Derrick Gaffney and Bobby "Cam" Jones.

[Maynard13]

13 hours ago, slats said:

This is what I came here to say. Sauer was before my time, too, but he was clearly one of the best to ever ever play for the Jets. Not easy to play in Don Maynard’s shadow. 
 

I was 11 at the time of SB III and was a Jets fan for a few years by then. Sauer was remarkably consistent, excellent hands, great route runner, highly dependable.  He was Namath's go to guy very similar to how Chrebet was Testerverde's outlet.  With Maynard double teamed the ENTIRE SB, Namath didnt hesitate throwing to Sauer who had a great day, 8 receptions, despite a lost fumble for over 100 yards.  He is my favorite WR all time.  Extremely underrated and in conversation with Biletnikoff as some of the best WR's in that era. Played only 6 years as he really didnt like playing football LOLOL.  In fact, I'd say he was Bilentnikoff's equal. Had he played another 5 years and maintained those annual stats, he would have made the Hall of fame as his stats were on par with Bietnikoff's in the 6 years they both played.  He was a two time First team All Pro, 4 Time all Pro team, 28 TD's in his 6 years, had 75 receptions in '67 and 1189 yards , while Fred's high was 61 receptions for 1037 in '68.  Yea he was GOOD, Really good.

Heres a fantastic exposé on the life of George Sauer, Jr. #83

https://www.texaslsn.org/george-sauer-conflicted-soul

 

[JKlecko]

2 hours ago, #27TheDominator said:

I didn't see much of Maynard.  He was my Dad's favorite, but I saw the entire career's of the other two and Toon was better than Walker IMO.  

The idea that Brandon Marshall belongs on this list is laughable.  He had one great year with Decker drawing coverage.  He then proceeded to destroy the team from within and had a shockingly poor season while remaining a disgraceful target hog the following year.  Take him on your all-time team if you want.  I would beat you with Derrick Gaffney and Bobby "Cam" Jones.

I didn't put Marshall on the list.  He just wasn't worth discussing since he was only an honorable mention.  

I think Walker was better.  They had the same QB, and Walker got a ton more yards and I think TDs as well, and he only had one eye.

[JKlecko]

58 minutes ago, Maynard13 said:

I was 11 at the time of SB III and was a Jets fan for a few years by then. Sauer was remarkably consistent, excellent hands, great route runner, highly dependable.  He was Namath's go to guy very similar to how Chrebet was Testerverde's outlet.  With Maynard double teamed the ENTIRE SB, Namath didnt hesitate throwing to Sauer who had a great day, 8 receptions, despite a lost fumble for over 100 yards.  He is my favorite WR all time.  Extremely underrated and in conversation with Biletnikoff as some of the best WR's in that era. Played only 6 years as he really didnt like playing football LOLOL.  In fact, I'd say he was Bilentnikoff's equal. Had he played another 5 years and maintained those annual stats, he would have made the Hall of fame as his stats were on par with Bietnikoff's in the 6 years they both played.  He was a two time First team All Pro, 4 Time all Pro team, 28 TD's in his 6 years, had 75 receptions in '67 and 1189 yards , while Fred's high was 61 receptions for 1037 in '68.  Yea he was GOOD, Really good.

Heres a fantastic exposé on the life of George Sauer, Jr. #83

https://www.texaslsn.org/george-sauer-conflicted-soul

 

I think he was better than Biletnikoff.  Biletnikoff used "stickum" to help him catch the ball.  Sauer didn't use it AFAIK.

[Smashmouth]

5 hours ago, JKlecko said:

Utter nonsense!!!  You didn't see them play, or have no clue what you're seeing when you watch. I saw them all play.  Toon was nowhere near as good Maynard or Walker.   You couldn't be more wrong!

I didn't see them play ? Exactly WTF are you talking about ? First of all read my post I never said Toon was better than Maynard or Walker Obviously he didn't have the time in the game to do that . What I was saying was if Toon had been healthy he might very well have surpassed both players because he had the talent to do so. There is a difference there you don't seem to understand.

When Toon was in his first few years there were some analysts in the NFL saying Toon was the best WR in the league. While I loved Wesley Walker he never had that distinction Maynard might have but not Walker. Also when it comes to yards per catch Walker was a completely different receiver than Toon, Walker was a burner he was not the possession WR Toon was so there are differences in the players and Toon was also fearless over the middle and Walker was just not that type of player. 

[JKlecko]

1 hour ago, Smashmouth said:

I didn't see them play ? Exactly WTF are you talking about ? First of all read my post I never said Toon was better than Maynard or Walker Obviously he didn't have the time in the game to do that . What I was saying was if Toon had been healthy he might very well have surpassed both players because he had the talent to do so. There is a difference there you don't seem to understand.

When Toon was in his first few years there were some analysts in the NFL saying Toon was the best WR in the league. While I loved Wesley Walker he never had that distinction Maynard might have but not Walker. Also when it comes to yards per catch Walker was a completely different receiver than Toon, Walker was a burner he was not the possession WR Toon was so there are differences in the players and Toon was also fearless over the middle and Walker was just not that type of player. 

Your starting out with "then you didn't see them play" clearly indicates that you think Toon was better.  That's the only reasonable, logical way to interpret your statement.  There have been a lot of coulda/woulda/shoulda players in spsorts.  What matters is what they actually did.  If Joe Namath didn't have bad knees, if Emerson Boozer didn't get hurt, if Gayle Sayers didn't get hurt, if Bo Jackson didn't get hurt, if Mickey Mantle didn't have osteomelitis, etc.   I could go on and on.  I saw them play and I know what they accomplished and what they didn't, so GTFO with that crap that I didn't see them play.

[JetPotato]

Loved Chrebet, but placing him over Toon is insanity 

[Jimmy 2 Times]

Am I the only one who saw JoJo Townsell play? 
 

How is he not on everyone’s list? 

[Dcat]

39 minutes ago, Jimmy 2 Times said:

Am I the only one who saw JoJo Townsell play? 
 

How is he not on everyone’s list? 

I liked him but he was injury prone IIRC.  I wouldn't rank him in the top tier.

[Smashmouth]

No mention of Rob Moore either some of the most acrobatic catches I have ever seen anyone make a Lynn Swann type player. But once again Moore didnt have enough time with the Jets 

[BurnleyJet]

On 7/10/2024 at 11:19 PM, Pac said:

Al Toon behind Chrebet invalidates the list. 

Toon is #1. 

Pac your bags.

[HessStation]

Besides switching Toon and Chrebet it’s spot on. 

[Alka]

On 7/10/2024 at 6:11 PM, rangerous said:

 

From JetsX. Can't argue too much about 1-5.  I think I would put gWilson in place of Marshall.  Marshall was just not with the jets long enough although he did have that great season.

 

The New York Jets have a rich history at the wide receiver position

Although the New York Jets have often struggled offensively throughout their history, they sure have been able to produce some exceptionally talented wide receivers.

Today, I am tasking myself with ranking the Jets’ top five greatest wide receivers of all time.

Honorable Mention 1: Brandon Marshall

Brandon Marshall made a massive impact in just two years with the Jets. The team acquired Marshall just before the 2015 season. In 2015, Marshall recorded 1,502 yards on 108 catches with 14 touchdowns. (The 109 receptions and 1,502 yards are standalone single-season records, whereas the 14 touchdowns are tied for first with Art Powell in 1960 and Don Maynard in 1965.)

Marshall spent one more season with the Jets before being released. His 2016 campaign did not come close to matching the heights of his 2015 performance.

Although he only spent two seasons with the team, Marshall’s iconic 2015 campaign is among the greatest for a wide receiver in Jets history.

Honorable Mention 2: Keyshawn Johnson

Although Keyshawn Johnson‘s career with the Jets did not end as most fans wanted it to, Johnson is one of the most talented receivers in Jets history.

The Jets drafted Johnson with the first overall pick in the 1996 NFL draft. In four years with the team, Johnson recorded 305 receptions for 4,108 yards and 31 touchdowns while appearing in the Pro Bowl twice.

Unfortunately, Johnson was traded to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the 2000 offseason, as he became the highest-paid receiver in the league. If Johnson had spent more time with the Jets, he would have been higher on this list.

Honorable Mention 3: Jericho Cotchery

Jericho Cotchery was one of the most reliable receivers in Jets history.

The Jets selected Cotchery in the fourth round of the 2004 NFL draft. Cotchery never garnered massive attention; he flew under the radar and always showed up on game day. Cotchery led the Jets in receiving yards each year from 2007 to 2009.

Despite these notable achievements, in Cotchery’s seven years with the Jets, he never made a Pro Bowl or received any notable accolades. Nonetheless, Cotchery was a fan favorite due to his toughness and consistency. Every team needs players like Cotchery.

5. Laveranues Coles

The Jets selected Laveranues Coles in the third round of the 2000 NFL draft. Coles showed promising play in his first three years with the Jets, most notably in his 2002 breakout year, when he caught 89 passes for 1,264 yards and five touchdowns.

After those three years, the Jets unfortunately lost Coles to the Washington Commanders franchise via free agency, where Coles continued to showcase his talent. He appeared in his first Pro Bowl with Washington in 2003.

In 2005, Coles was traded back to the Jets in exchange for Santana Moss. Coles would play another four years with the Jets before being released ahead of the Jets’ 2009 season. Over the four-year stretch from 2005-08, Coles led the Jets in receptions (289), receiving yards (3,439), and receiving touchdowns (24).

In Coles’ seven years with the Jets, the former Florida State Seminole recorded 5,941 receiving yards, which currently ranks fifth in Jets history. Although Coles spent his prime with the Redskins, he will forever be remembered as a game-changer for Gang Green.

4. Al Toon

On-the-field health certainly derailed Al Toon‘s career. Despite that, Toon did everything he could to overcome gruesome injuries.

New York pegged Toon as the 10th overall pick in the 1985 NFL draft. Just two seasons into his NFL career, he earned his first Pro Bowl nod at only 23 years old, catching 85 passes for 1,176 yards and eight touchdowns in 1986.

Toon would also make the Pro Bowl in each of the next two seasons. In 1988, he led the NFL in receptions with 93.

In eight seasons with the Jets, Toon recorded 517 catches for 6,605 yards and 31 touchdowns—even though he missed 27 games. Toon endured a whopping nine concussions in his NFL career.

I believe Toon had the potential to become one of the greatest receivers of all time had he managed to stay healthy throughout his career. Although Toon struggled with injuries, Jets fans will forever remember Toon’s impact, nonetheless.

3. Wayne Chrebet

There is no question that Jets X-Factor’s Wayne Chrebet is one of the most beloved players in Jets history.

Chrebet, a New Jersey native and one-half of “The Underdog Jets Podcast,” signed with the Jets in 1995 as an undrafted free agent out of Hofstra. Chrebet immediately made a statement as he earned a spot on the 53-man roster and emerged as a fan favorite while also redefining tough third-down hauls and slot play.

Across an 11-year career spent entirely with the Jets, Chrebet recorded 580 receptions for 7,365 yards and 41 touchdowns. He is second in franchise history in receptions, third in receiving yards, and third in receiving touchdowns.

Chrebet will always be one of the most beloved Jets players of all time.

2. Wesley Walker

Wesley Walker is one of the most electrifying receivers in Jets history.

Legally blind in his left eye, Walker was selected by the Jets in the second round of the 1977 NFL draft. His disability did not stop him from emerging as one of the premier wide receivers in the league during his prime.

Over the 10-year span from 1977 to 1986, Walker was third in the NFL in receiving touchdowns (63) and seventh in receiving yards (7,476).

Over his 13-year career (spent entirely with the Jets), Walker averaged 19.0 yards per reception, which remains the Jets’ franchise record among players with at least 20 receptions for the team. He led the NFL in yards per reception in each of his first two NFL seasons, posting 21.1 in 1977 and topping it with 24.4 in 1978.

Across 154 games with the Jets, Walker amassed 438 receptions for 8,306 yards and 71 touchdowns. He is second in franchise history in receiving yards and receiving touchdowns, while he ranks fifth in receptions.

Walker’s inspiring story will live on forever. He overcame a disability to become one of the greatest receivers in Jets history.

1. Don Maynard

Without a doubt, Don Maynard is the greatest receiver in Jets history.

Maynard signed with the then-New York Titans in 1960. He quickly made a statement, recording 1,265 yards and six touchdowns on 72 catches in the Titans’ 1960 debut season.

Maynard went on to play 13 seasons for the Titans/Jets, finishing with 627 receptions for 11,732 yards and 88 touchdowns—all franchise records to this day.

The southern gentleman played a major role in helping the Jets win their lone Super Bowl. Although Maynard didn’t record a reception in the Super Bowl, as he was battling a hamstring injury, Maynard’s astonishing play in the 1968 season helped the Jets get there.

Maynard was named a first-team All-Pro that season; in just 13 games, he caught 57 passes for 1,297 yards and 10 touchdowns. Maynard led the AFL in yards per reception (22.8) and receiving yards per game (99.8).

Over 50 years after Maynard’s last snap with the Jets, he remains the undisputed top wide receiver in franchise history. It will be a long time before anybody catches up to him.

 

My only real problem with your list is that Al Toon belongs ahead of Wayne Chrebet.  After that, I'm okay with it.

[Arsis]

I'm 39 years year old and 3 of the top 5 didn't play in my lifetime. What a sad history.

[THE BARON]

art monk ???

[Gaffneycatch81]

On 7/11/2024 at 10:09 AM, nj meadowlands said:

Off the cuff...

1. Don Maynard
2. Wesley Walker
3. Al Toon (would've surpassed Wesley if not for longevity)
4. Laveranues Coles
5. Wayne Chrebet
6. George Sauer
7. Keyshawn Johnson
8. Jerricho Cotchery
9. Brandon Marshall (2015 is enough to give him Top 10 standing)
10. Santana Moss
11. Rob Moore
12. Eric Decker
13. Derrick Gaffney
14. Santonio Holmes
15. Jeremy Kerley (convinced he would've been an excellent player if he didn't play in the Dark Ages)

Bobby Jones was a tough little WR in the 80s. Definitely beats out Kerley, imo.

[rangerous]

4 hours ago, Alka said:

My only real problem with your list is that Al Toon belongs ahead of Wayne Chrebet.  After that, I'm okay with it.

I agree. Chrebet was one of those gutsy players who showed up every game, had great hands but never the physical talent that toon or walker or just about any other listed receiver had.