15. James Lofton
By today’s standards, Lofton might be considered just another big-play wide receiver. But in the late 1970s and 80s when he broke into the league, there was no one else like him. In addition to being a standout on the football field at Stanford, Lofton was also a national champion in the long jump and excelled at other track & field events, showcasing athleticism that stood out, even in the NFL.
Lofton was the master of the big play, using his speed to get behind defenses, a skill few in that era possessed. On five separate occasions, he averaged better than 20 yards per catch over the course of a full season, something only a handful of receivers have done over the past decade. Lofton was also the first in league history to break the 1,400 yards receiving threshold and is one of the oldest receivers to ever record a 1,000-yard season, doing so in 1991 at age 35 in his 14th pro season.