No. 1: Odell Beckham Jr. – No. 12 overall 2014 NFL Draft (New York Giants)
No. 1 on this NFL all-time list is Odell Beckham Jr.
Selected with the No. 12 overall pick in the 2014 NFL Draft by the New York Giants, OBJ entered the league with the speed, explosiveness and great hands that he left LSU with. Instantly putting himself in the spotlight with “the catch,” Beckham Jr. thrived under the big lights of the Big Apple and the shine of the NFL on and off the field.
With over 1300 yards receiving in each of his first three seasons, the 2014 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year was prolific in his on the field impact with the Giants. If not for an injury ridden 2017 season in which he played just four games, there is no telling how dominant Beckham Jr. would’ve been, although he was still a viable receiver when he returned from injury.
OBJ went on to play for the Cleveland Browns before finally winning a Super Bowl with the Los Angeles Rams in 2021. He did not play in 2022, but did return in 2023 and had a solid season with the Baltimore Ravens and didn’t do much at age 32 in a stint with the Miami Dolphins. Beckham is currently not with a team but appears to be keeping that option open.
With Nabers, Jefferson and Chase in the league and dominating like they are, Beckham is barely holding on to this No. 1 ranking. But without him, perhaps those players wouldn’t have as big of footsteps to follow. OBJ really paved the way for present day LSU receivers.