3 legendary NFL wide receivers who played in the wrong era
CLEVELAND, OH – SEPTEMBER 20, 1964: Wide receiver Paul Warfield #42 (right) and flanker Gary Collins #86 (obscured by Warfield) of the Cleveland Browns watch the action from the sidelines during a game on September 20, 1964 against the St. Louis Cardinals at Municipal Stadium in Cleveland, Ohio. 64-71398 (Photo by: Herman Seid Collection/Diamond Images/Getty Images)
The wide receiver position in the NFL has never been deeper or more prolific. Three Pro Football Hall of Famers put up their own impressive numbers.
The first major rule changes when it came to the NFL and its desire to open up the passing game came back in 1978. Receivers were allowed to roam a lot more freely than they did in the league’s earlier years. Pass blocking changed as offensive linemen were allowed to extend their arms.
Elsewhere, when in the past an offensive player could only catch a deflected pass if it was touched by a defensive player, every ball was up for grabs, so there would be no dispute when it came to any kind of an “Immaculate Reception.”
The following three players are all enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Their big-play ability made them marvels who excelled in a different style of football.
NFL wide receivers from the wrong era: 3. Paul Warfield
He played the majority of his career with the Cleveland Browns. He is also remembered for his days with Don Shula’s Miami Dolphins after the team acquired him via trade in 1970. He was one of many players over a seven-year period that was drafted by two leagues.
Former Ohio State star wide receiver Paul Warfield was taken with the Browns with the 11th overall selection pick in 1964. He was also the 28th pick the same year (fourth round) by the Buffalo Bills. He would prove to be one of the great big-play wideouts in league annals and played his entire career before the major rule changes in 1978.
His career totals may not blow anyone away. In 13 NFL seasons (157 regular-season games), he totaled “just” 427 receptions for 8,565 yards. However, it’s hard to ignore that 85 of those grabs went for scores, while he averaged a mind-boggling 20.1 yards per reception for his career.
Warfield earned eight Pro Bowl invitations, was named All-Pro twice, and was part of three NFL championship teams with the Browns (1) and Dolphins (2).
