The greatest tight end of all time kickstarts the list for the most receiving touchdowns in a single season. Rice’s 17 touchdowns in 1993 were a testament to his consistency and elite status as the NFL’s top receiver. He will go on to break and set tons of records in the league which are still standing.
Randy Moss quickly made an impact with 17 touchdowns for the Minnesota Vikings in his rookie season in 1998. The NFL legend appears in the list multiple times as he cemented his legacy in the NFL.
Drafted in the second round (31st overall) of the 1992 NFL Draft, wide receiver Carl Pickens played eight seasons with the Bengals. He recorded 530 receptions for 7,129 yards and 63 touchdowns. Pickens earned two Pro Bowl selections and was named Offensive Rookie of the Year in 1992.
Randy Moss made his second appearance on the list in 2003. The receiver pulled off another 17-touchdown season to prove his worth. The receiver will go on to top the charts a few years later.
Don Hutson was one of the league's first superstars. He redefined the wide receiver position in the early days of the NFL. His 17 touchdowns in 1942 for the Green Bay Packers ticked off another milestone in his historic career.
Elroy Hirsch was a key offensive weapon for the Los Angeles Rams in the 1950s. He scored 17 touchdowns in the 1951 season to establish himself as a top athlete.
Rob Gronkowski was selected by the New England Patriots as the 42nd overall pick in the 2nd round of the 2010 NFL Draft. As a tight end, Gronkowski played 115 games over nine seasons with the Patriots, recording 521 receptions for 7,861 yards and 79 touchdowns. He was selected to five Pro Bowls, earned four First-Team All-Pro honors, and won four Super Bowl championships.
Bill Groman scored 17 touchdowns for the Houston Oilers in 1961. The Oilers topped the AFL Eastern division with a 10-3 record. They also won the championship game against the San Diego Chargers that season.
Ja’Marr Chase was one of the best receivers in the NFL from the moment he entered the league. In 2024, he hauled in 17 receiving touchdowns for the Cincinnati Bengals. His chemistry with quarterback Joe Burrow, combined with his explosive speed, had the fans cheering for him.
Cris Carter’s 17-touchdown season helped the Minnesota Vikings' offense reach new heights in 1995. His incredible catches in clutch moments earned him praise from the fans.
Drafted seventh overall in the 1988 NFL Draft, wide receiver Sterling Sharpe played seven seasons with the Packers. He recorded 595 receptions for 8,134 yards and 65 touchdowns. Sharpe was a five-time Pro Bowl selection and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2025.
Mark Clayton was selected by the Miami Dolphins as the 223rd overall pick in the 1983 NFL Draft. Over 10 seasons with the Dolphins, Clayton recorded 550 receptions for 8,643 yards and 81 touchdowns. He was selected to five Pro Bowls.
Davante Adams signed a deal that pays him $22 million per year. Adams remains an overqualified No. 2 WR who upgrades the Los Angeles Rams' passing game behind Puka Nacua. Adams averaged 2.17 yards per route run after being traded to the Jets, which would have ranked 20th over the full 2024 season. Adams' 29% target rate with New York was almost identical to his Las Vegas Raiders average (28.9%). In 2022, with Derek Carr, Adams was a first-team All-Pro, and led the NFL with 14 receiving touchdowns. This may end up being a one-year arrangement, as Adams’ cap number jumps to $30 million in 2026.
Jerry Rice set a record of 22 touchdowns in a shortened 12-game season due to a players' strike in 1987 for the San Francisco 49ers. He is the all-time NFL leader in receiving touchdowns, receptions and yards. In the postseason, he has the most receiving touchdowns and yards. It was impressive that Rice had managed to hold the record since 1987, given the explosion of the passing game in the last 20 years.
Randy Moss set an NFL record with 23 touchdowns during the New England Patriots' perfect regular season in 2007. His ability to stretch the field and score from anywhere made him a headache for the opponents.
