Julio Jones or Mike Evans? Who leads the NFC South in receiving yards
Story by
Julio Jones or Mike Evans? Who leads the NFC South in receiving yards
Luke Loffredo, Saints Wire·Saints Wire
·
2 min read
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
The NFC South division has been home to some of the most explosive and transcendent receivers to ever step foot on the gridiron. Throughout its history, the division has showcased some of the most dominant pass catchers the NFL has ever seen, producing countless highlight-reel moments and rewriting record books along the way.
Some reached heights few players in league history could ever dream of, setting marks that may never be broken. Others built their legacies through years of elite production and consistency, putting together careers worthy of Hall of Fame consideration. Included among them are the game-changing tight ends who helped revolutionize their position, proving they could be every bit as impactful as the league's top wide receivers. One player who just missed the cut wasAlvin Kamara, who needs 254 receiving yards to make the top-10. Arguably the most dynamic receiving back in recent memory, he's another example of how the NFC South has changed the game.
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
From legendary route runners to reliable possession targets, the NFC South has never lacked star power at the pass-catching position. With that in mind, we're taking a look at the all-time receiving yardage leaders for each NFC South franchise and determining which player can truly claim the title of the division's receiving king.
ATLANTA, GA - DECEMBER 7: Julio Jones #11 of the Atlanta Falcons runs with a catch against Marshon Lattimore #23 and Vonn Bell #48 of the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on December 7, 2017 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Scott Cunningham/Getty Images)
Jan 5, 2025; Tampa, Florida, USA;Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans (13) jogs on to the field before the start of the game against the New Orleans Saints at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Dyer-Imagn Images
New Orleans Saints' cornerback Fred Thomas (L) grabs Carolina Panthers' wide receiver Steve Smith during first half action in their NFL football game in Charlotte, October 1, 2006. REUTERS/Chris Keane (UNITED STATES)
4. WRRoddy White, Atlanta Falcons (2005-2015): 10,863 yards
ATLANTA, GA - AUGUST 08: Roddy White #84 of the Atlanta Falcons against the Cincinnati Bengals at Georgia Dome on August 8, 2013 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FL - DECEMBER 28: Marques Colston #12 of the New Orleans Saints runs upfield for extra yardage after a reception against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the first half of the game at Raymond James Stadium on December 28, 2014 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
6. WR Chris Godwin Jr., Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2017-2025): 7,626 yards
Dec 7, 2025; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Chris Godwin Jr. (14) runs for a gain during the first quarter against the New Orleans Saints at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
Jan 14, 2018; Minneapolis, MN, USA; New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) talks with wide receiver Michael Thomas (13) against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 6, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Carolina Panthers tight end Greg Olsen (88) flips the ball after a touchdown in the first quarter of the game against the Los Angeles Rams at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
9. WR Joe Horn, New Orleans Saints (2000-2006) and Atlanta Falcons (2007): 5,260 yards
NEW ORLEANS - OCTOBER 15: Wide receiver Joe Horn #87 of the New Orleans Saints celebrates his first quarter touchdown reception against the Philadelphia Eagles on October 15, 2006 at the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)
Dec 2, 2018; Tampa, FL, USA; Carolina Panthers wide receiver DJ Moore (12) runs with the ball in the second half of the game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Dyer-USA TODAY Sports
METAIRIE, LOUISIANA - JUNE 17: Tyler Shough #6 of the New Orleans Saints takes part in drills during mandatory mini camp at Ochsner Sports Performance Center on June 17, 2026 in Metairie, Louisiana. (Photo by Tyler Kaufman/Getty Images)
(Tyler Kaufman, Getty Images)
METAIRIE, LOUISIANA - JUNE 17: Chris Olave #12 of the New Orleans Saints takes part in drills during mandatory mini camp at Ochsner Sports Performance Center on June 17, 2026 in Metairie, Louisiana. (Photo by Tyler Kaufman/Getty Images)
(Tyler Kaufman, Getty Images)
METAIRIE, LOUISIANA - JUNE 17: Cameron Jordan #94 of the New Orleans Saints takes part in drills during mandatory mini camp at Ochsner Sports Performance Center on June 17, 2026 in Metairie, Louisiana. (Photo by Tyler Kaufman/Getty Images)
(Tyler Kaufman, Getty Images)
METAIRIE, LOUISIANA - JUNE 17: Trey Palmer #10 of the New Orleans Saints takes part in drills during mandatory mini camp at Ochsner Sports Performance Center on June 17, 2026 in Metairie, Louisiana. (Photo by Tyler Kaufman/Getty Images)
(Tyler Kaufman, Getty Images)
METAIRIE, LOUISIANA - JUNE 17: Cameron Jordan #94 of the New Orleans Saints takes part in drills during mandatory mini camp at Ochsner Sports Performance Center on June 17, 2026 in Metairie, Louisiana. (Photo by Tyler Kaufman/Getty Images)
(Tyler Kaufman, Getty Images)
METAIRIE, LOUISIANA - JUNE 17: Brock Rechsteiner #89 of the New Orleans Saints takes part in drills during mandatory mini camp at Ochsner Sports Performance Center on June 17, 2026 in Metairie, Louisiana. (Photo by Tyler Kaufman/Getty Images)
(Tyler Kaufman, Getty Images)
METAIRIE, LOUISIANA - JUNE 17: Travis Etienne Jr. #3 of the New Orleans Saints takes part in drills during mandatory mini camp at Ochsner Sports Performance Center on June 17, 2026 in Metairie, Louisiana. (Photo by Tyler Kaufman/Getty Images)
(Tyler Kaufman, Getty Images)
METAIRIE, LOUISIANA - JUNE 17: Head coach Kellen Moore of the New Orleans Saints speaks to media during mandatory mini camp at Ochsner Sports Performance Center on June 17, 2026 in Metairie, Louisiana. (Photo by Tyler Kaufman/Getty Images)
(Tyler Kaufman, Getty Images)
METAIRIE, LOUISIANA - JUNE 17: Cameron Jordan #94 of the New Orleans Saints takes part in drills during mandatory mini camp at Ochsner Sports Performance Center on June 17, 2026 in Metairie, Louisiana. (Photo by Tyler Kaufman/Getty Images)
(Tyler Kaufman, Getty Images)
METAIRIE, LOUISIANA - JUNE 17: Julian Blackmon #23 and Terrell Burgess #26 of the New Orleans Saints take part in drills during mandatory mini camp at Ochsner Sports Performance Center on June 17, 2026 in Metairie, Louisiana. (Photo by Tyler Kaufman/Getty Images)
(Tyler Kaufman, Getty Images)
METAIRIE, LOUISIANA - JUNE 17: Zaire Mitchell-Paden #85 of the New Orleans Saints takes part in drills during mandatory mini camp at Ochsner Sports Performance Center on June 17, 2026 in Metairie, Louisiana. (Photo by Tyler Kaufman/Getty Images)
(Tyler Kaufman, Getty Images)
METAIRIE, LOUISIANA - JUNE 17: Kool-Aid McKinstry #1 of the New Orleans Saints takes part in drills during mandatory mini camp at Ochsner Sports Performance Center on June 17, 2026 in Metairie, Louisiana. (Photo by Tyler Kaufman/Getty Images)
(Tyler Kaufman, Getty Images)
METAIRIE, LOUISIANA - JUNE 17: Audric Estimé #30 of the New Orleans Saints takes part in drills during mandatory mini camp at Ochsner Sports Performance Center on June 17, 2026 in Metairie, Louisiana. (Photo by Tyler Kaufman/Getty Images)
(Tyler Kaufman, Getty Images)
METAIRIE, LOUISIANA - JUNE 17: Elliott Davison #35 of the New Orleans Saints takes part in drills during mandatory mini camp at Ochsner Sports Performance Center on June 17, 2026 in Metairie, Louisiana. (Photo by Tyler Kaufman/Getty Images)
(Tyler Kaufman, Getty Images)
METAIRIE, LOUISIANA - JUNE 17: Ty Chandler #32 of the New Orleans Saints takes part in drills during mandatory mini camp at Ochsner Sports Performance Center on June 17, 2026 in Metairie, Louisiana. (Photo by Tyler Kaufman/Getty Images)
(Tyler Kaufman, Getty Images)
METAIRIE, LOUISIANA - JUNE 17: Alvin Kamara #41 of the New Orleans Saints take part in drills during mandatory mini camp at Ochsner Sports Performance Center on June 17, 2026 in Metairie, Louisiana. (Photo by Tyler Kaufman/Getty Images)
(Tyler Kaufman, Getty Images)
METAIRIE, LOUISIANA - JUNE 17: Spencer Rattler #2 of the New Orleans Saints take part in drills during mandatory mini camp at Ochsner Sports Performance Center on June 17, 2026 in Metairie, Louisiana. (Photo by Tyler Kaufman/Getty Images)
(Tyler Kaufman, Getty Images)
METAIRIE, LOUISIANA - JUNE 17: Kevin Austin Jr. #81 of the New Orleans Saints take part in drills during mandatory mini camp at Ochsner Sports Performance Center on June 17, 2026 in Metairie, Louisiana. (Photo by Tyler Kaufman/Getty Images)
(Tyler Kaufman, Getty Images)
METAIRIE, LOUISIANA - JUNE 17: Zach Wilson #4 of the New Orleans Saints take part in drills during mandatory mini camp at Ochsner Sports Performance Center on June 17, 2026 in Metairie, Louisiana. (Photo by Tyler Kaufman/Getty Images)
(Tyler Kaufman, Getty Images)
METAIRIE, LOUISIANA - JUNE 17: Zaire Mitchell-Paden #84 of the New Orleans Saints take part in drills during mandatory mini camp at Ochsner Sports Performance Center on June 17, 2026 in Metairie, Louisiana. (Photo by Tyler Kaufman/Getty Images)
(Tyler Kaufman, Getty Images)
1/20
LOOK: Photos from New Orleans Saints' mandatory minicamp practice
METAIRIE, LOUISIANA - JUNE 17: Tyler Shough #6 of the New Orleans Saints takes part in drills during mandatory mini camp at Ochsner Sports Performance Center on June 17, 2026 in Metairie, Louisiana. (Photo by Tyler Kaufman/Getty Images)
(Tyler Kaufman, Getty Images)
1/20
LOOK: Photos from New Orleans Saints' mandatory minicamp practice
METAIRIE, LOUISIANA - JUNE 17: Tyler Shough #6 of the New Orleans Saints takes part in drills during mandatory mini camp at Ochsner Sports Performance Center on June 17, 2026 in Metairie, Louisiana. (Photo by Tyler Kaufman/Getty Images)
(Tyler Kaufman, Getty Images)
2/20
LOOK: Photos from New Orleans Saints' mandatory minicamp practice
METAIRIE, LOUISIANA - JUNE 17: Chris Olave #12 of the New Orleans Saints takes part in drills during mandatory mini camp at Ochsner Sports Performance Center on June 17, 2026 in Metairie, Louisiana. (Photo by Tyler Kaufman/Getty Images)
(Tyler Kaufman, Getty Images)
3/20
Cameron Jordan's new Saints contract gave him a raise after 2025 pay cut
METAIRIE, LOUISIANA - JUNE 17: Cameron Jordan #94 of the New Orleans Saints takes part in drills during mandatory mini camp at Ochsner Sports Performance Center on June 17, 2026 in Metairie, Louisiana. (Photo by Tyler Kaufman/Getty Images)
(Tyler Kaufman, Getty Images)
4/20
Checking in on 10 New Orleans Saints players returning from injuries
METAIRIE, LOUISIANA - JUNE 17: Trey Palmer #10 of the New Orleans Saints takes part in drills during mandatory mini camp at Ochsner Sports Performance Center on June 17, 2026 in Metairie, Louisiana. (Photo by Tyler Kaufman/Getty Images)
(Tyler Kaufman, Getty Images)
5/20
LOOK: Photos from New Orleans Saints' mandatory minicamp practice
METAIRIE, LOUISIANA - JUNE 17: Cameron Jordan #94 of the New Orleans Saints takes part in drills during mandatory mini camp at Ochsner Sports Performance Center on June 17, 2026 in Metairie, Louisiana. (Photo by Tyler Kaufman/Getty Images)
(Tyler Kaufman, Getty Images)
6/20
LOOK: Photos from New Orleans Saints' mandatory minicamp practice
METAIRIE, LOUISIANA - JUNE 17: Brock Rechsteiner #89 of the New Orleans Saints takes part in drills during mandatory mini camp at Ochsner Sports Performance Center on June 17, 2026 in Metairie, Louisiana. (Photo by Tyler Kaufman/Getty Images)
(Tyler Kaufman, Getty Images)
7/20
ESPN: 3 Saints additions among NFL's most impactful acquisitions
METAIRIE, LOUISIANA - JUNE 17: Travis Etienne Jr. #3 of the New Orleans Saints takes part in drills during mandatory mini camp at Ochsner Sports Performance Center on June 17, 2026 in Metairie, Louisiana. (Photo by Tyler Kaufman/Getty Images)
(Tyler Kaufman, Getty Images)
8/20
NFL head coach rankings: Where does Kellen Moore rank going into 2026?
METAIRIE, LOUISIANA - JUNE 17: Head coach Kellen Moore of the New Orleans Saints speaks to media during mandatory mini camp at Ochsner Sports Performance Center on June 17, 2026 in Metairie, Louisiana. (Photo by Tyler Kaufman/Getty Images)
(Tyler Kaufman, Getty Images)
9/20
Which New Orleans Saints players are locks to make the 2026 roster?
METAIRIE, LOUISIANA - JUNE 17: Cameron Jordan #94 of the New Orleans Saints takes part in drills during mandatory mini camp at Ochsner Sports Performance Center on June 17, 2026 in Metairie, Louisiana. (Photo by Tyler Kaufman/Getty Images)
(Tyler Kaufman, Getty Images)
10/20
Breakout candidates to watch for the New Orleans Saints in 2026
METAIRIE, LOUISIANA - JUNE 17: Julian Blackmon #23 and Terrell Burgess #26 of the New Orleans Saints take part in drills during mandatory mini camp at Ochsner Sports Performance Center on June 17, 2026 in Metairie, Louisiana. (Photo by Tyler Kaufman/Getty Images)
(Tyler Kaufman, Getty Images)
11/20
LOOK: Photos from New Orleans Saints' mandatory minicamp practice
METAIRIE, LOUISIANA - JUNE 17: Zaire Mitchell-Paden #85 of the New Orleans Saints takes part in drills during mandatory mini camp at Ochsner Sports Performance Center on June 17, 2026 in Metairie, Louisiana. (Photo by Tyler Kaufman/Getty Images)
(Tyler Kaufman, Getty Images)
12/20
Saints downplay Kool-Aid McKinstry ankle injury at training camp
METAIRIE, LOUISIANA - JUNE 17: Kool-Aid McKinstry #1 of the New Orleans Saints takes part in drills during mandatory mini camp at Ochsner Sports Performance Center on June 17, 2026 in Metairie, Louisiana. (Photo by Tyler Kaufman/Getty Images)
(Tyler Kaufman, Getty Images)
13/20
LOOK: Photos from New Orleans Saints' mandatory minicamp practice
METAIRIE, LOUISIANA - JUNE 17: Audric Estimé #30 of the New Orleans Saints takes part in drills during mandatory mini camp at Ochsner Sports Performance Center on June 17, 2026 in Metairie, Louisiana. (Photo by Tyler Kaufman/Getty Images)
(Tyler Kaufman, Getty Images)
14/20
LOOK: Photos from New Orleans Saints' mandatory minicamp practice
METAIRIE, LOUISIANA - JUNE 17: Elliott Davison #35 of the New Orleans Saints takes part in drills during mandatory mini camp at Ochsner Sports Performance Center on June 17, 2026 in Metairie, Louisiana. (Photo by Tyler Kaufman/Getty Images)
(Tyler Kaufman, Getty Images)
15/20
LOOK: Photos from New Orleans Saints' mandatory minicamp practice
METAIRIE, LOUISIANA - JUNE 17: Ty Chandler #32 of the New Orleans Saints takes part in drills during mandatory mini camp at Ochsner Sports Performance Center on June 17, 2026 in Metairie, Louisiana. (Photo by Tyler Kaufman/Getty Images)
(Tyler Kaufman, Getty Images)
16/20
LOOK: Photos from New Orleans Saints' mandatory minicamp practice
METAIRIE, LOUISIANA - JUNE 17: Alvin Kamara #41 of the New Orleans Saints take part in drills during mandatory mini camp at Ochsner Sports Performance Center on June 17, 2026 in Metairie, Louisiana. (Photo by Tyler Kaufman/Getty Images)
(Tyler Kaufman, Getty Images)
17/20
LOOK: Photos from New Orleans Saints' mandatory minicamp practice
METAIRIE, LOUISIANA - JUNE 17: Spencer Rattler #2 of the New Orleans Saints take part in drills during mandatory mini camp at Ochsner Sports Performance Center on June 17, 2026 in Metairie, Louisiana. (Photo by Tyler Kaufman/Getty Images)
(Tyler Kaufman, Getty Images)
18/20
Countdown to Kickoff: Kevin Austin Jr. is the Saints Player of Day 81
METAIRIE, LOUISIANA - JUNE 17: Kevin Austin Jr. #81 of the New Orleans Saints take part in drills during mandatory mini camp at Ochsner Sports Performance Center on June 17, 2026 in Metairie, Louisiana. (Photo by Tyler Kaufman/Getty Images)
(Tyler Kaufman, Getty Images)
19/20
LOOK: Photos from New Orleans Saints' mandatory minicamp practice
METAIRIE, LOUISIANA - JUNE 17: Zach Wilson #4 of the New Orleans Saints take part in drills during mandatory mini camp at Ochsner Sports Performance Center on June 17, 2026 in Metairie, Louisiana. (Photo by Tyler Kaufman/Getty Images)
(Tyler Kaufman, Getty Images)
20/20
Countdown to Kickoff: Zaire Mitchell-Paden is Saints Player of Day 84
METAIRIE, LOUISIANA - JUNE 17: Zaire Mitchell-Paden #84 of the New Orleans Saints take part in drills during mandatory mini camp at Ochsner Sports Performance Center on June 17, 2026 in Metairie, Louisiana. (Photo by Tyler Kaufman/Getty Images)