Quickly, name the only four NFL receivers in history to accomplish a milestone of 50 catches and 900 receiving yards in each of their first six seasons.
Well, first, let’s settle the matter of Washington Commanders wide receiver Terry McLaurin becoming the fourth NFL player to reach these receiving statistics on Sunday against the Saints.
That’s right. Only four receivers have accomplished these plateaus in NFL history for various reasons. Injury is a major reason, as players get injured occasionally.
In the last 30 years, the game has changed to much more of a passing game, yet still, only four receivers in the previous 30 years have caught 50 passes and accumulated 900 receiving years in their first six NFL seasons.
When you consider the quarterbacks who have started for Washington during his six seasons, McLaurin’s accomplishments become even more noteworthy. Here are the quarterbacks who were passing to McLaurin:
- 2019: Case Keenum, Dwayne Haskins, Colt McCoy
- 2020: Dwayne Haskins, Kyle Allen, Alex Smith, Taylor Heinicke
- 2021: Ryan Fitzpatrick, Taylor Heinicke, Kyle Allen, Garrett Gilbert
- 2022: Carson Wentz, Taylor Heinicke, Sam Howell
- 2023: Sam Howell, Jacoby Brissett
- 2024: Jayden Daniels, Marcus Mariota
Going through the list leaves one shaking their head, wondering how it is that McLaurin accomplished this.
OK, who are the other three NFL receivers in modern history who have accomplished these statistics in their first six NFL seasons?
Remarkably, no, not even Jerry Rice. Rice had 49 receptions in his rookie season and began his Hall of Fame credentials.
No, not Art Monk. The NFL season was cut to nine games in his third season due to the players’ strike.
Gary Clark? No. In his fourth season, Clark accumulated 892 receiving yards, falling short by a mere eight yards.
Randy Moss? Yes, you are correct. Further, Moss was, in fact, the very first NFL receiver to reach these heights in each of his first six NFL seasons. In his seventh NFL season, he had only 49 receptions, falling a single reception short of reaching these levels in his first seven seasons.
A.J. Green? Yes, Green accomplished these numbers for his first seven NFL seasons, all with the Bengals. Thus, Green was the first to have 50 receptions and 900 receiving yards in his first seven seasons.
Mike Evans? Evans lives on a planet different from other wide receivers. He has accomplished these numbers for each of his first ten NFL seasons. Of course, he is the only receiver in NFL history to accomplish this in his first ten seasons. In addition, though he missed three games this season, he is on track to again reach these marks in 2024 for his 11th consecutive season!
*In fairness to great receivers like Moss, Rice, Monk, and Clark, none of those guys had the opportunity to play in a 17-game NFL season. From 1978-2020, the NFL played 16-game regular seasons, beginning 17-game schedules in 2021.
