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.
Carl Pickens was a key pillar in the Cincinnati Bengals' passing game. He scored 17 touchdowns during a breakout season in 1995. His strong hands and playmaking ability made him one of the top wide receivers of the 1990s.
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.
Being Tom Brady’s teammate, Rob Gronkowski just couldn’t escape this list. Gronkowski bagged 17 touchdowns in the 2011 season with the New England Patriots. The Patriots finished the season with a 13-3 record and made it to the Super Bowl.
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.
Sterling Sharpe was Brett Favre's favorite target in 1994, scoring 18 touchdowns. The pair played a huge role in the Green Bay Packers' success. The franchise finished the season with a 9-7 record. Sharpe’s quick feet and pass-catching put him on the same table as the league’s top receivers.
Mark Clayton played a key role in the Miami Dolphins’ offensive success in 1984, catching passes from Dan Marino. His deep-threat ability helped him fetch 18 receiving touchdowns that season and added the kick to Miami's attack.
Davante Adams emerged as Aaron Rodgers' top target, earning a career-high 18 touchdowns for the Green Bay Packers in 2020. His sharp route running and elite catching ability helped the Packers make a deep playoff run.
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.
