Wide Receivers
Herman Moore: DET 1991-2001
Lions Career Stats:
670 receptions, 9,174 receiving yards, 13.7 yards per reception, 62 receiving touchdowns
Lions Single Season Receptions Leader (1995)
3x All-Pro (1995-1997)
4x Pro Bowls (1994-1997)
3 Consecutive Seasons of 100+ Receptions (1995-1997)
Case for making the team: Even though most of Moore’s receiving records were later eclipsed by Calvin Johnson, that has no bearing on his significance in the history of the organization.
Moore was an ever reliable talent who contributed seven straight seasons of at least 930+ receiving yards.
Paired up with fellow wide receiver, Brett Perriman, Herman Moore was integral to Detroit’s success in the pass game during the nineties.
Calvin Johnson: DET 2007-2015
Lions Career Stats:
731 receptions, 11,619 receiving yards, 15.9 yards per reception, 83 receiving touchdowns, 11,786 yards from scrimmage
3x All-Pro (2011-2013)
6x Pro Bowls (2010-2015)
NFL Single Season Receiving Yards Record (1,964)
Most Receiving Yards in a Single Game in Regulation (329)
Detroit Lions All-Time Leading Receiver
Case for making the team: Calvin Johnson is the greatest wide receiver in Lions’ history. Despite playing the NFL’s notorious “diva” position, Calvin was anything but.
He played humbly and excellently and he consistently produced some incredible numbers on some not-so-incredible Lions squads (see stats above).
I really hope that the (petty) animosity that currently exists between him and the organization due to his early retirement and subsequent signing bonus recoupment gets squashed sooner rather than later.
Tight End
Charlie Sanders: DET 1968-1977
Lions Career Stats:
336 receptions, 4,817 receiving yards, 14.3 yards per reception, 31 touchdowns
3x All-Pro (1969-1971)
7x Pro Bowls (1968-1971, 1974-1976)
1970s All-Decade Team
Pro Football Hall of Fame (Class of 2007)
Case for making the team: The former Minnesota Golden Gopher enjoyed a distinguished career in Motown that spanned a decade.
Much like the starting running back on this list with the shared surname, Charlie jumped in and made an immediate splash as a rookie. It was during his first year in 1968, that he was the only rookie selected for the Pro Bowl with a stat line of 40 catches, 533 yards, and a touchdown.