George Kipling listed the ten best pass receiving running backs in NFL history for SportsBreak.com. http://www.sportsbreak.com/nfl/10-best-pass-receiving-running-backs-in-nfl-history/
Kipling often bent over backwards to give the benefit of the doubt to his ten, guessing that the player’s numbers might’ve been higher had they not gotten injured or played more years or gotten more playing time or played in a different era.
Kipling left off a player who retired with the third most all-time receptions and receiving yards among running backs. The same player retired with the most receiving touchdowns and the highest yards per catch average among running backs in NFL history.
Herschel Walker’s NFL receiving numbers are higher than most of the backs on Kipling’s list. Like many of the others, Walker’s NFL numbers could’ve been higher if if if. Regardless of all the “if’s”, his numbers stand as a testament to his production given the playing time Walker received. Kipling’s ten:
10. Lydell Mitchell: Caught at least 60 passes in 4 straight seasons, then 57 in 1978. (DM: only rushed for 6534 yards in his 9 year career). Ranks below Walker in every receiving category.
9. Walter Payton: Caught 40 passes in a season 6 times. (DM: caught less than 40 in 7 seasons). Ranks below Walker in every receiving category.
8. Ricky Watters: Caught 50 passes 5 times and 60 passes 3 times. Played 10 seasons. Ranks below Walker in every receiving category.
7. LaDainian Tomlinson: Caught 50 passes in his first 8 seasons and in 9 of his first ten. Led the AFC with 100 catches in 2003. Ranks above Walker only on the career receptions list.
6. Brian Westbrook: Only played 5 full seasons, catching at least 54 passes in every one. (DM: only rushed for 6335 yards in his 9 year career). Ranks above Walker only on the touchdown receptions list.
5. Thurman Thomas: author gave no justification for this pick. Played one year longer than Herschel but caught fewer passes for fewer yards. Scored only 2 more touchdowns.
4. Marcus Allen: Caught 60 passes in 3 straight seasons. What about the other 13 seasons?
3. Roger Craig: Caught 70 passes in 4 of 5 seasons (played 11 seasons). Led NFL with 92 in 1985. First in history with 1000 yards rushing and 1000 yards receiving.
2. Marshall Faulk: Caught 80 passes per season from 1998 to 2002 – five straight seasons…plus 50 per season four more times.
1. Larry Centers: Caught 50 passes ten straight seasons (60 in 8 of 9 seasons and over 80 in 4 seasons). (DM: only rushed for a lowly 2188 yards in his 13 year career).
Not mentioned: Herschel Walker: Five NFL seasons catching 50 or more passes.
RECEPTIONS
827 Centers 2003
767 Faulk 2005
624 Tomlinson 2011
587 Allen 1997
566 Craig 1993
512 Walker retired 3rd most receptions for a RB
492 Payton 1987
472 Thomas 2000
467 Watters 2001
442 Westbrook 2010
376 Mitchell 1980
RECEIVING YARDS
6875 Faulk 2005
6797 Centers 2003
5411 Allen 1997
4911 Craig 1993
4859 Walker retired 3rd most rec yards for a RB.
4772 Tomlinson 2011
4538 Payton 1987
4458 Thomas 2000
4248 Watters 2001
3940 Westbrook 2010
3203 Mitchell 1980
YARDS PER CATCH
9.5 Walker
9.4 Thomas
9.2 Payton
9.2 Allen
9.1 Watters
9.0 Faulk
8.9 Westbrook
8.7 Craig
8.5 Mitchell
8.2 Centers
7.6 Tomlinson
TOUCHDOWNS RECEIVING
36 Faulk 2005
30 Westbrook 2010
28 Centers 2003
23 Thomas 2000
21 Walker retired with most rec TD’s as a RB
21 Allen was tied with Herschel.
17 Tomlinson 2011
17 Craig 1993
17 Mitchell 1980
15 Payton 1987
13 Watters 2001
Based on these numbers - not to mention all the extenuating circumstances Kipling holds so dear – Herschel Walker clearly deserves mention on this list.
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