Wide receiver

A wide receiver (WR), also referred to as a wideout, and historically known as a split end (SE) or flanker (FL), is an eligible receiver in gridiron football. A key skill position of the offense, WR gets its name from the player being split out "wide" (near the sidelines), farthest away from the rest of the offensive formation. A forward pass-catching specialist, the wide receiver is one of the fastest players on the field alongside cornerbacks and running backs. One on either extreme of the offensive line is typical, but several may be employed on the same play. A slot receiver lines up between a wide receiver and the offensive line. Through 2026, only five wide receivers, Jerry Rice (in 1987 and 1993), Michael Thomas (in 2019), Cooper Kupp (in 2021), Justin Jefferson (in 2022), and Jaxon Smith-Njigba (in 2025) have won Offensive Player of the Year in the NFL. In every other year it was awarded to either a quarterback or running back. No wide receiver has ever won MVP. Jerry Rice is the leader in receptions, receiving yards, and touchdowns on the NFL's all-time list for receivers, along with being a 3-time Super Bowl champion and 10-time All-Pro selection. Five wide receivers (Johnny Rodgers in 1972, Tim Brown in 1987, Desmond Howard in 1991, DeVonta Smith in 2020, and Travis Hunter in 2024) have won college football's Heisman Trophy.