The 10 Best Wide Receivers in Pittsburgh Steelers History
Is Antonio Brown the best Steelers wide receiver of all time?
The Greatest Steelers Receivers of All Time
When you think of the Pittsburgh Steelers today, you may imagine a wide-open passing game with multiple wide receivers and a quarterback who throws the ball 50 times per game. It’s true that Ben Roethlisberger and his receivers have put up some incredible numbers over the past decade, but that wasn’t always so.
Go back in time to the 1970s and you’ll find a Steelers team built on running the ball from a two-back set. They relied on powerful, athletic offensive linemen and smart blocking schemes to open up big holes for running backs Franco Harris and Rocky Bleier. The Steelers threw the ball back then, but not nearly as often and not nearly as accurately.
In the '90s and 2000s, with Bill Cowher as coach, Pittsburgh was a running team that built their game plan atop the broad shoulders of Jerome Bettis. During Roethlisberger’s first two years playing in the league, the Steelers controlled the ball through the rushing attack, trying to minimize the young quarterback's mistakes.
Over the decades, the NFL has gradually changed into a pass-first league. Quarterbacks and receivers regularly put up mind-boggling stats that were practically unimaginable only a few years ago. Does this mean the wide receivers of today are superior to those from years gone by? Certainly not, but it does mean it is really difficult to compare receivers from different eras.
For example, Antonio Brown caught many more passes for many more yards than both Lynn Swann and John Stallworth, but Stallworth and Swann averaged nearly three yards more per reception. Brown is a four-time All-Pro; Swann and Stallworth are four-time Super Bowl champions.
So how do we rank the top Steelers wide receivers of all time? For the purposes of this article, I will be considering things like:
- Career Stats
- All-Pro Team Selections
- Pro Bowl Selections
- Super Bowl Performances
- Overall Contributions to the Franchise
That said, there will be a heavier dose of opinion here than in some top 10 articles. It just isn’t easy to compare Buddy Dial to JuJu Smith-Schuster. I’m going to have to make a few decisions based on what I think constitutes a great wide receiver.
Here's a countdown of the top 10 Steelers wide receivers of all time.
10. JuJu Smith-Schuster (2017–2022)
Smith-Schuster's NFL career started with a bang. In his first few seasons, he made one Pro Bowl, had one 100-plus reception season in 2018, and set the record for longest touchdown reception in Steelers history with a 97-yard catch and run (on two separate occasions).
He became a fan favorite in a very short time. He’s a strong, physical receiver who blocks hard, not unlike another pass catcher you might remember named Hines Ward.
Unfortunately, things didn't work out as Steeler fans hoped. Hampered by injuries during his last three seasons, including 2021 where he saw action in only five games, Smith-Schuster's production fell off. Still, his numbers are good enough to rank him at number eight for all-time pass receptions in franchise history.
Smith-Schuster and Pittsburgh parted ways after the 2021 season. He earned a Super Bowl ring as a member of the Kansas City Chiefs the following season.
Jersey Number
19
Accolades With Steelers
- 1x Pro Bowl
Stats With Steelers
- Rec: 323
- Yds: 3,855
- TDs: 26
9. Mike Wallace (2009–12)
Though his time in Pittsburgh was short, Mike Wallace racked up some impressive numbers while playing for the Steelers. He was a deep threat with blazing speed, and in four seasons he averaged 17.2 yards per reception. He had back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons in 2010 and 2011 and made one Pro Bowl appearance (2011). Wallace played a key part in the Steelers’ Super Bowl XLV run.
Mike Wallace left the Steelers for greener pastures in 2013. He had several quality years with Miami and Baltimore but never made another Pro Bowl. Had he remained in Pittsburgh and put up similar numbers as he did with later teams, he would be among the Steelers’ top 5 receivers in franchise history. As it stands, he currently ranks No. 10 for receiving yards, No. 13 for receptions, and No. 10 for touchdowns.
Jersey Number
17
Accolades With Steelers
- 1x Pro Bowl
Stats With Steelers
- Rec: 235
- Yds: 4,042
- TDs: 32
Former Steelers wide receiver Santonio Holmes was the MVP of Super Bowl XLIII.
8. Santonio Holmes (2006–09)
Santonio Holmes was the MVP of Super Bowl XLIII, where he made a seemingly impossible catch to secure a Steelers victory in the final minute of the game. For that, he will have a place in the hearts of Steeler Nation for all of eternity. Unfortunately, however, his body of work with the Steelers isn’t quite what it could have been.
He had three solid seasons from 2006 to 2008, and a breakout year in 2009. Then things went badly. After a string of off-the-field incidents and recurring legal issues, he was traded to the New York Jets in 2010 for a fifth-round draft pick. This move confused and frustrated many Steelers fans who could clearly see the on-field value he brought to the team, especially paired with receiver Hines Ward.
Holmes never quite flourished with the Jets, but the trade resulted in another epic moment in Steelers history: When the Steelers traded the fifth-round pick they received from the Jets to the Cardinals for Bryant McFadden and their sixth-round pick, they used that sixth-round pick to draft Antonio Brown.
Jersey Number
10
Accolades With Steelers
- 1x Super Bowl Champion
- 1x Super Bowl MVP
Stats With Steelers
- Rec: 235
- Yds: 3,835
- TDs: 20
7. Yancey Thigpen (1992–97)
The Steelers went through a kind of renaissance in the mid-1990s, largely due to the hiring of head coach Bill Cowher. Cowher replaced Chuck Noll, an NFL legend who had brought four Super Bowl championships to Pittsburgh. In time, Cowher would become a Steelers legend as well, but he’d do it a little differently.
While the Steelers largely remained a running team, under Cowher they opened up the offense a little as well. Four- and five-wide receiver sets were not uncommon, and this new group of pass catchers was led by Yancey Thigpen.
Thigpen hauled in 222 passes during his time with the team and made two Pro Bowls. This included a then-franchise-record 85-catch season in 1995, a year that saw the Steelers return to the Super Bowl. Thigpen—along with fellow receivers Andre Hastings, Ernie Mills, Charles Johnson, and Kordell “Slash” Stewart—was a big key to the Steelers' success.
Jersey Number
82
Accolades With Steelers
- 2x Pro Bowl
Stats With Steelers
- Rec: 222
- Yds: 3,651
- TDs: 21
6. Buddy Dial (1959–63)
The Steelers teams of the pre–Super Bowl era never won any championships and rarely posted a winning record. But there were occasional bright spots. Coach Buddy Parker brought hope to Pittsburgh in the late ‘50s and early ‘60s, as did Hall of Fame quarterback Bobby Layne. From 1959 to 1963, Layne and receiver Buddy Dial were one of the most dangerous combinations in the NFL.
Dial hauled in 219 passes in his time with the Steelers and eclipsed the 1,000-yard mark on two separate occasions. While these numbers might not seem impressive by today’s standards, remember, it was a very different league back then. It’s tough to compare players separated by decades, but I felt Dial deserved the sixth spot over some modern receivers due to his importance to the team.
Dial led the Steelers in receiving from 1960 to 1963. He is the eighth leading receiver in Steelers history for yardage and sixth for touchdown catches. He averaged an amazing 21.6 yards per catch during his time in Pittsburgh.
Jersey Number
84
Accolades With Steelers
- 2x Pro Bowl
Stats With Steelers
- Rec: 219
- Yds: 4,723
- TDs: 42
5. Louis Lipps (1984–91)
If you aren’t versed in Steelers history, you may have never heard of Louis Lipps, and understandably so. He came into the league in 1984, at a time when the Super Bowl heroes of the ‘70s were riding off into the Pittsburgh sunset and Steelers management was desperately trying to fill the giant cleats they left behind. At wide receiver, that meant not only finding a replacement for Lynn Swann but also his longtime backup, Jim Smith, who had departed following the 1982 season.
The ‘80s saw a revolving cast of receivers and quarterbacks in Pittsburgh, but Lipps was a constant. He made two Pro Bowls during his first two years in the league, then settled in as a kind of B-level NFL superstar. Nevertheless, he was a dependable target for a string of quarterbacks who desperately needed one. He is currently Pittsburgh’s fifth all-time leading receiver in catches and yards and seventh in touchdowns.
Jersey Number
83
Accolades With Steelers
- 2x Pro Bowl
Stats With Steelers
- Rec: 358
- Yds: 6,018
- TDs: 39
4. Lynn Swann (1974–82)
The Steelers of the 1970s were known as a powerful running team. It would make sense for their opponents to overcommit to stopping the run, but there was one big reason they couldn’t: Quarterback Terry Bradshaw had one heck of an arm and might rear back and let the football fly at any moment. While his completion percentage wasn’t outstanding, it only took one successful strike to change the outcome of a game.
On the receiving end of Bradshaw's bombs, you would often find Lynn Swann. With his uncanny ability to pull down seemingly impossible catches, Swann was a big part of the Steelers’ four Super wins of the 1970s.
Lynn Swann is remembered today as one of the greatest Steelers of all time. He was named MVP of Super Bowl X, with 161 yards and a touchdown on four catches.
Jersey Number
88
Accolades With Steelers
- 3x Pro Bowl
- 1x All-Pro
- 4x Super Bowl Champion
- 1x Super Bowl MVP
- NFL Hall of Fame, class of 2001
Career Stats
- Rec: 336
- Yds: 5,462
- TDs: 51
3. John Stallworth (1974–87)
The other Steelers receiver that had NFL defensive backs quaking in their cleats back in the ‘70s was John Stallworth, Swann’s counterpart on the other side of the field. Where Swann always seemed to have a flair for the dramatic catch, Stallworth was more low-key. Still, with a knack for getting behind defenders, finding the ball in traffic and pulling in passes he probably had no right to, Stallworth made just as many incredible catches.
It is tough to choose between Stallworth and Swann when ranking the best Steelers wide receivers of all time. Both came to Pittsburgh in the same draft class (1974), and they played equal roles in the success of the Super Bowl years. As a formidable receiving tandem, they made it impossible for the defense to commit to stopping one or the other, and that no doubt led to each of their successes. I ultimately chose to rank Stallworth a notch higher because he played longer and left the Steelers as their all-time leading receiver in 1987. He now stands fourth on the list, behind wide receivers Hines Ward and Antonio Brown and tight end Heath Miller.
Jersey Number
82
Accolades With Steelers
- 3x Pro Bowl
- 1x All-Pro
- 4x Super Bowl Champion
- NFL Hall of Fame, class of 2002
Career Stats
- Rec: 537
- Yds: 8,723
- TDs: 63
Antonio Brown might have broken every NFL career receiving record, had he remained in the league.
2. Antonio Brown (2010–18)
There were few receivers in the NFL more dynamic than Antonio Brown during his time with the Steelers. In fact, there have been few receivers in history with his talent, tenacity, and ability to create big plays.
In his nine years as a Steeler, he made seven Pro Bowls and four All-Pro teams, hauled in over 100 passes for six straight seasons, and recorded two of the top-10 receiving yards season totals in NFL history.
Had Brown remained a Steeler, there is little doubt he would have shattered every team receiving record by a wide margin. Had his career remained intact, he would have challenged many of the biggest all-time NFL receiving records.
In 2019, the Steelers traded Brown to the Raiders, who released him before he played a single game for the franchise. Brown quickly signed with the Patriots, playing one game for them before being released amid a string of controversies and troubling allegations.
Jersey Number
84
Accolades With Steelers
- 7x Pro Bowl
- 4x All-Pro
Stats With Steelers
- Rec: 837
- Yds: 11,207
- TDs: 74
1. Hines Ward (1998–2011)
Hines Ward gets the top spot on my list as the best Steelers wide receiver of all time. He has the most receptions, yards, and touchdown catches in franchise history, but big stats alone weren’t enough to propel him past Brown, Stallworth, and Swann. So what sets him apart from the others?
Ward was as tough as Pittsburgh-forged metal. Remember, this is a list of the top Steelers wide receivers, and no other player on this list better reflects the spirit of the Steel City. With his bone-crushing run blocking and team-first attitude, Ward fit perfectly into an intimidating offense known for running the ball with authority.
Ward played quarterback, receiver, and tailback in college, and at times his bag of tricks seemed bottomless. He could throw the ball when called upon, and he was a nightmare to bring down once he got the ball in his hands. He helped the Steelers win two Super Bowls and three AFC Championships, and it is only a matter of time until he is inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Jersey Number
86
Accolades With Steelers
- 4x Pro Bowl
- 2x Super Bowl Champion
- 1x Super Bowl MVP
Career Stats
- Rec: 1,000*
- Yds: 12,083*
- TDs: 85*
* Team records
Steelers' Top 10 All-Time Receiving Leaders
| Player | Position | Years | Receptions | Yards | Touchdowns |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Hines Ward | WR | 1998–2011 | 1,000 | 12,083 | 85 |
Antonio Brown | WR | 2010–18 | 837 | 11,207 | 74 |
Heath Miller | TE | 2005–15 | 592 | 6,569 | 45 |
John Stallworth | WR | 1974–87 | 537 | 8,723 | 63 |
Louis Lipps | WR | 1984–91 | 358 | 6,018 | 39 |
Lynn Swann | WR | 1974–82 | 336 | 5,462 | 51 |
Elbie Nickel | TE | 1947–57 | 329 | 5,131 | 37 |
JuJu Smith-Schuster | WR | 2017-2022 | 323 | 3,855 | 26 |
Le'Veon Bell | RB | 2013–17 | 312 | 2,660 | 7 |
Franco Harris | RB | 1972–83 | 306 | 2,284 | 9 |
Who Is the Best Steelers Wide Receiver of All Time?
Hines Ward is the greatest Steelers wide receiver in the history of the franchise. He holds the team records for receptions, yardage, and touchdowns. During his 14 seasons in Pittsburgh, he helped win two Super Bowls and three AFC Championships.
His hard-hitting style and tenacious run blocking made him an asset in the running game, and his ability to run with the ball meant he could score on any play. He wore the black and gold throughout his entire career, and today he is among the most revered Steelers of all time.
Hines Ward is the greatest Steelers receiver of all time.
Honorable Mentions
Plaxico Burress
Plaxico Burress came to the Steelers at the right time. Unfortunately for him, he didn’t stick around. By the time the Steelers made their first of the new-era Super Bowl runs in 2005, Burress had decided he was unhappy in Pittsburgh. The Steelers shipped him off to the New York Giants for the 2005 season.
After a few good years in New York, he spent time in prison for a firearms violation. He returned to the Steelers for the 2012 season, a shadow of his former self. Burress caught 264 passes for 4,206 yards and 23 touchdowns in his six total seasons with the Steelers.
Jim Smith
Smith was a solid receiver on two of the Steelers’ Super Bowl teams of the late 1970s. He might have been more of a standout had he not been parked behind Lynn Swann on the depth chart for most of his career. Smith hauled in 110 passes for 2,075 yards and 24 touchdowns in 6 seasons with the Steelers.
Antwaan Randle El
Randle El played a big part in the Steelers’ 2005 Super Bowl season and even threw a touchdown pass in the Super Bowl. He was a former college quarterback and, along with Hines Ward, he presented the opportunity for an endless array of gadget plays.
Randle El left the Steelers after the 2005 season. After a stint with Washington, he returned to Pittsburgh in 2010 and contributed to another Super Bowl appearance. In five total seasons with the Steelers, Antwaan Randle El caught 184 passes for 2,265 yards and 7 touchdowns. He also rushed for 318 yards and completed 16 of 18 passes for 170 yards and 4 touchdowns.
Pittsburgh Steelers Receiving Records
Most Career Receptions:
1,000 – Hines Ward, 1998–2000
Most Career Receiving Yards:
12,083 – Hines Ward, 1998–2000
Most Career Touchdowns:
85 – Hines Ward, 1998–2000
Most Receptions in a Season:
136 – Antonio Brown, 2015
Most Receiving Yards in a Season:
1,834 – Antonio Brown, 2015
Most Touchdowns in a Season:
15 – Antonio Brown, 2018
Most Receptions in a Game:
17 – Antonio Brown, 2015 vs. Oakland Raiders
Most Receiving Yards in a Game:
284 – Antonio Brown, 2015 vs. Oakland Raiders
Most Receiving Touchdowns in a Game:
4 – Roy Jefferson, 1968 vs. Atlanta Falcons
Longest Touchdown Reception:
97 – JuJu Smith-Schuster, 2017 vs. Detroit Lions; 2018 vs. Denver Broncos
Steelers’ Best Single-Season Receiving Performances
| Player | Season | Receptions | Yards | Touchdowns |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Antonio Brown | 2015 | 136 | 1,834 | 10 |
Antonio Brown | 2014 | 129 | 1,698 | 13 |
Hines Ward | 2002 | 112 | 1,329 | 12 |
JuJu Smith-Schuster | 2018 | 111 | 1,426 | 7 |
Antonio Brown | 2013 | 110 | 1,499 | 8 |
Mark Malone’s 90-Yard Touchdown Reception
Here is a little trivia from deep Steelers lore: In 1981, a Steeler set the record for the longest touchdown reception in team history. Who made the catch? Probably Lynn Swann, right? Maybe John Stallworth?
No and no. In a 1981 game against the Seattle Seahawks, backup quarterback Mark Malone stepped in at wide receiver due to injuries to the Steelers’ receiving corps. With the Steelers winning 7–3 in the second quarter, quarterback Terry Bradshaw hit an uncovered Malone with a quick pass. Malone outran the defense to the end zone to cap off a team-record-setting 90-yard touchdown reception.
Malone was a great athlete, and he himself started at quarterback for the Steelers for several seasons in the mid-1980s. But this was the only pass he ever caught in the NFL, and he sure made it count.
Dwight Stone and Bobby Shaw both tied Malone's 90-yard touchdown reception record, but no Steeler surpassed it until Martavis Bryant's 94-yard reception in 2014. Currently, JuJu Smith-Schuster holds the record for longest touchdown reception at 97 yards, which he accomplished twice.
The Golden Era of the Wide Receiver
To say the NFL of today is more passing-oriented than ever before is a massive understatement. Back in the days of Lynn Swann and John Stallworth, quarterback Terry Bradshaw only threw for over 3,000 yards in a season twice (1979 and 1980). In those seasons, he attempted 472 and 424 passes, respectively. He has a career completion percentage of 51.9. Bradshaw, as you likely know, is a Hall of Fame quarterback.
By comparison, Ben Roethlisberger has a career completion percentage of 64.3. Not including 2019 (when he was injured), he has only played two seasons where he has not thrown for 3,000 yards (his first two years in the league). Roethlisberger has passed for over 4,000 yards in five seasons, and for over 5,000 in one. He has played seven seasons where he attempted 500 or more passes, and two where he attempted over 600.
That doesn’t necessarily mean Roethlisberger is better than Bradshaw, or that he had better receivers. It means the NFL has evolved drastically over the years, and that’s what makes it so hard to compare receivers of different eras.
Maybe you are old enough to remember when Art Monk set the record for most receptions in a season with 106 catches in 1984. It seemed an incredible total at the time, but today, over 60 players have matched or surpassed that number, including some tight ends and running backs. In fact, in 2019 alone, five players caught 100 passes or more.
We are in the midst of the Golden Era of the Wide Receiver. The question is whether football is better for it.