My pick for the greatest NFL player per position in history is Rice, who already has the FCS’ most outstanding freshman award named after him, with former winners including Cooper Kupp and Trey Lance. His career accomplishments are unmatched and anyone who argues Rice isn’t the greatest wide receiver of all time truly has to gerrymander their standards.
Here’s just a little snippet of Rice’s accolades: He’s the NFL’s all-time leader in receiving yards (22, 895), pass receptions (1,549), all-purpose yards (23,546), receiving touchdowns (197), and total touchdowns (208). Rice has also won three Super Bowls and was a 10-time first-team All-Pro selection.
His No. 80 is already retired by the 49ers and the timing of letting his jersey hang around NFL stadiums would be strange. Yet, if anyone deserves the honor regardless of team accomplishments, not many have a stronger argument than Rice.