NFC South All-Decade Team of the 2000s: Steve Smith Sr. leads WRs

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NFC South All-Decade Team of the 2000s: Steve Smith Sr. leads WRs

John Sigler, Saints Wire · Saints Wire

Fri, Jul 3, 2026 ·

4 min read

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Our series highlighting the best players in the NFC South for each decade of the division's existence marches on with the standout wide receivers of the 2000s. It was a good decade for the New Orleans Saints -- "the Quiet Storm" Marques Colston quickly became a fan favorite for his reliable, stoic style of play while big-play threats like Joe Horn, Devery Henderson, and Robert Meachem took turns catching deep shots from Drew Brees . But this isn't the kind of exercise that plays to their strengths. Our methodology, which we'll get to in a minute, leans heavily on postseason honors like All-Pro teams and Pro Bowl appearances. That doesn't favor guys like Colston who didn't get their due credit.

So who did make the cut? Here's a look at the best receivers featured by the Saints, Atlanta Falcons , Carolina Panthers , and Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the NFC South's early days.

Methodology

One key stat we're relying on is Approximate Value from Pro Football Reference , which PFR defines as "an attempt to put a single number on the seasonal value of a player at any position from any year." In practice, that means giving higher numbers to player who start more games, play more snaps, and do more to help their team win by racking up yards, scoring touchdowns, creating turnovers and sacking quarterbacks, and so on. We're also assigning point values to being named a first-team All-Pro (ten points), second-team All-Pro (five points), and Pro Bowler (three points). And then we're adding those numbers together. Remember, these are all-decade teams for the NFC South, which didn't exist until 2002, and only contributions on the four teams in the division factor into our formula. So Drew Brees earning a Pro Bowl nod with the San Diego Chargers in 2005 doesn't help him, for example.

First team: Steve Smith Sr.

Nov 25, 2007, Charlotte, NC, USA; Carolina Panthers wide receiver Steve Smith (89) is tackled by New Orleans Saints cornerback Mike McKenzie (34) in the Saints 31-6 victory against the Panthers at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

Team: Carolina Panthers (2002 to 2009)
AV: 80
Honors: All-Pro first team (1), All-Pro second team (1), Pro Bowler (3)
Score: 104

If there was a face of the NFC South from 2002 to 2009, it might be Smith (or, to use wrestling terms, a "heel"). The feisty 5-foot-9 wideout played a physical brand of football that led to a lot of extra contact after the whistle. But he wasn't just a trash talker. Smith returned from a broken leg in 2004 to win the NFL's "Triple Crown" in 2005, leading the league in catches (103), receiving yards (1,563), and touchdown receptions (12). And he remained a dangerous punt returner while shouldering a heavy workload on offense. There just haven't been many guys like him.

First team: Muhsin Muhammad

Oct 19, 2008; Charlotte, NC, USA; Carolina Panthers wide receiver Muhsin Muhammad (87) is tackled by New Orleans Saints cornerback Jason David (42) and safety Kevin Kaesviharn (43). The Panthers defeated the Saints 30-7 at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

Team: Carolina Panthers (2002 to 2004, 2008 to 2009)
AV: 43
Honors:All-Pro first team (1), Pro Bowler (1)
Score: 56

Muhammad was a dynamic compliment to Smith in the Panthers receiving corps; he set Panthers franchise records for single-season touchdown catches (16) and multi-score games (5 of them), and yards per catch in the playoffs (20.6). Like some other guys on this list, he suffered for producing really well before the NFC South officially took shape (like his 1999 Pro Bowl selection and 102-catch season in 2000), but he gave Carolina a steady presence opposite Smith for many years. He returned to the Panthers after a three-year stint with the Chicago Bears culminated in a Super Bowl appearance.

Second team: Joe Horn

NEW ORLEANS - OCTOBER 29: Wide receiver Joe Horn #87 of the New Orleans Saints looks on against the Baltimore Ravens at the Louisiana Superdome on October 29, 2006 in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Ravens defeated the Saints 35-22. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

Team: New Orleans Saints (2002 to 2006), Atlanta Falcons (2007)
AV: 48
Honors: Pro Bowler (2)
Score:54

Horn suffered a bit for producing so well before the NFC South was actually formed; he landed in New Orleans back in 2000 and immediately broke out with 1,340 yards and eight touchdown catches, following up that performance with another 1,265 yards and nine more touchdowns in 2001. He was chosen for the Pro Bowl both times. But because that all happened before the division was created, we can't consider it, which left him on the second team. Horn still had some great years (including a career-high 1,399 yards and 11 touchdowns in 2004) and he's earned his place on this list.

Second team: Roddy White

Nov. 2, 2009; New Orleans, LA, USA; Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Roddy White (84) is tackled by a host of New Orleans Saints defenders at the Louisiana Superdome. The Saints defeated the Falcons 35-27. Mandatory Credit: Matt Stamey-USA TODAY Sports

Team: Atlanta Falcons (2005 to 2009)
AV:46
Honors: Pro Bowler (2)
Score: 52

White was twice named a Pro Bowler in the 2000s, but his best years came in the decade that followed. He really took off once Matt Ryan established himself as Atlanta's new franchise quarterback. Still, he posted three consecutive 1,000-yard seasons to close out the 2000s with a career-high 11 touchdown catches in 2009. White was a dangerous weapon for the Falcons, and he earned his place in the team's Ring of Honor.