It’s hard to say anyone’s football opinion carries more weight than that of the legendary Tom Brady. Over his 23-year NFL career, he has seen every type of player and knows what it takes to be great.
So when the GOAT was asked to name his Mount Rushmore of all-time NFL receivers, nearly everyone wanted to hear his picks. But one name on the list might come as a surprise.
Tom Brady Shares His All-Time NFL Receiver Mount Rushmore
There have been so many great wide receivers throughout NFL history, many of whom Brady either played with or against, so it was fascinating to see who made his top four.
Ahead of his picks, the legendary quarterback shared some criteria to provide context on what he believes makes a wide receiver great.
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN.. Our 1st episode, Receivers.
Tom Brady & Peyton Manning join Ari & Ben as they try to land on 1 DEFINITIVE NFL Receiver Mt Rushmore. Thru some debate & phenomenal story telling we discover which 4 receivers should be etched in stone forever.
HOW’D WE DO? pic.twitter.com/bDvEr23yOy
— RUSHMOREonX (@RUSHMOREonX) September 30, 2025
“I think the mark of great receivers are: can you catch short passes, intermediate passes, and deep passes? Can you get open in man and against zone? Is there [a] good run after catch? All of those aspects, to me,” Brady said. “Can you go in and run block? Those are all aspects that make a great player.”
So who made Brady’s Mount Rushmore of all-time NFL wideouts? His official list included Jerry Rice, Randy Moss, Larry Fitzgerald, and, in a surprising choice, he added a tight end — his long-time teammate Rob Gronkowski.
Brady’s list is a strong one. Rice has long held the title of the greatest NFL receiver ever. Not only was he incredibly productive, recording 1,549 catches, 22,895 yards, and 197 touchdowns, all of which are NFL records, but he also had unmatched longevity, playing 20 seasons.
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Moss also boasts impressive career stats, catching 982 passes for 15,292 yards and 156 touchdowns over 14 seasons. He was Brady’s teammate with the New England Patriots from 2007 to 2009, and the duo connected for 23 touchdowns in 2007, which remains an NFL single-season record. Still, Moss is most known for his time with the Vikings.
Fitzgerald is another excellent pick, given his remarkable consistency over his career. In 17 NFL seasons with the Cardinals, he recorded 1,432 catches for 17,492 yards and 121 touchdowns. He makes a case for the most reliable receiver in NFL history, and as Brady noted, he holds the incredible statistic of having more tackles than drops in his career.
As for his Gronkowski pick, it’s surprising that Brady chose a tight end for an all-time receivers list, but it makes sense given the two’s friendship and on-field connection. Gronkowski played all of his 11 NFL seasons alongside Brady, finishing his career with 621 catches for 9,286 yards and 92 touchdowns.
While some may disagree with Brady’s list and choose another all-time great like Terrell Owens or Calvin Johnson for their lists, the fact is Brady’s opinion on wide receivers is hard to dispute, and it’s exciting that fans got to hear who he thinks are the best.
