INDIANAPOLIS --- New Colts WR Andre Johnson's resume speaks for itself: 7 Pro Bowls, 9th all-time in receptions, and 12th all-time in receiving yards, but what should fans expect in 2015? Johnson turns 34 on July 11th, which has some people doubting his upside. A look at history though shows wideouts can flourish at that age.
Here is the list of the top-15 all-time leaders in receiving yards by wide receivers (TE Tony Gonzalez would be the only addition overall ahead of Tim Brown at 5th):
1.
Jerry Rice
22,895
2.
Terrell Owens
15,934
3.
Randy Moss
15,292
4.
Isaac Bruce
15,208
5.
Tim Brown
14,934
6.
Marvin Harrison
14,580
7.
Reggie Wayne*
14,345
8.
James Lofton
14,004
9.
Cris Carter
13,899
10.
Henry Ellard
13,777
11.
Andre Johnson*
13,597
12.
Torry Holt
13,382
13.
Steve Smith*
13,262
14.
Andre Reed
13,198
15.
Steve Largent
13,089
*active
Now, here's what each of those top-15 leaders in receiving yardage did in their age 34 seasons:
1.
Jerry Rice
Receptions
108
Yards
1254
TD
8
2.
Terrell Owens
81
1355
15
3.
Randy Moss
DID
NOT
PLAY
4.
Isaac Bruce
74
1098
3
5.
Tim Brown
76
1128
11
6.
Marvin Harrison
95
1366
12
7.
Reggie Wayne*
106
1355
5
8.
James Lofton
35
712
4
9.
Cris Carter
90
1241
13
10.
Henry Ellard
56
1005
5
11.
Andre Johnson*
?
?
?
12.
Torry Holt
Retired
13.
Steve Smith*
64
745
4
age 34
79
1065
6
age 35
14.
Andre Reed
63
795
5
15.
Steve Largent
39
645
2
Nine of those 14 other receivers posted 1,000 yard seasons at age 34, and Steve Smith did it at age 35. The three that didn't (Lofton, Reed, Largent) played in an era where passing wasn't as prominent, while Holt and Moss did not play their age 34 seasons.
If you want more examples other than a top-15 list of the best receivers of all-time, there are plenty. Anquan Boldin posted 83 receptions for 1062 yards and 5 touchdowns this past season in San Francisco. He was 34-years-old. Here are some more receivers who put up 1,000 yards at age 34 from various eras:
Receptions
Yards
TD
Year
Donald Driver
70
1061
6
2009
Derrick Mason
80
1037
5
2008
Joey Galloway
83
1287
10
2005
Jimmy Smith
54
805
4
2003
Irving Fryar
88
1195
11
1996
Art Monk
71
1049
8
1991
Charlie Joiner
70
1188
7
1981
What else does Andre Johnson have going for him, in addition to the precedent of countless productive 34-year-old NFL receivers? An upgrade at quarterback with Andrew Luck.
Johnson's quarterbacks averaged 3,752 passing yards, 19.9 TD, and 15.2 interceptions per seasons in his 12 years in Houston for a passer rating of 85.32. In the past two seasons, Luck has averaged 4,319 yards, 31.5 touchdowns, and 12.5 interceptions for a passer rating of 91.96.
The potential is there for Johnson to contribute at a high-level opposite the Colts established top target of T.Y. Hilton, considering past precedent, potential future quarterback production, and having compiled seven 1,100 yard campaigns already.
Age 34? Just a number.
