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Who's the greatest Falcons wide receiver of all-time?

SPECIAL TO THE ATLANTA JOURNAL CONSTITUTION--Atlanta's terance Mathis makes a one handed grab during training camp at Furman University in Greenville, SC Tuesday August 3,1999.(Special to The Atlanta Journal Constitution by Patick Collard)
SPECIAL TO THE ATLANTA JOURNAL CONSTITUTION--Atlanta's terance Mathis makes a one handed grab during training camp at Furman University in Greenville, SC Tuesday August 3,1999.(Special to The Atlanta Journal Constitution by Patick Collard)
D. Orlando Ledbetter
By D. Orlando Ledbetter

FLOWERY BRANCH – It's always tough comparing eras, but while wide receiver Roddy White holds all of the Falcons key receiving records, a case can be made that Alfred Jenkins, who played in the bump-and-run all-the-way-down-the-field era, is the team's most prolific receiver.

Because of rule changes, White was allowed to run free after five yards for most of his career and he made the most of it.

Jenkins averaged 17.4 yards a catch from 1975 to 1983 in a more rugged era when defensive backs could push, punch and shove until the ball was in the air.

One can make a case for Terance Mathis, too.

Andrew Rison was dynamite, but he only played for the five seasons with the team.

Also, the fluid and smooth Michael Haynes was quite productive and averaged 15.9 yards per catch from 1988 to 1997.

So, who is the greatest Falcons wide receiver of all-time?

Here are their vital numbers:

RODDY WHITE (2005-2015): 171 games, 808 catches for 10,863 yards, 13.4 per catch and 63 touchdowns.

TERENCE MATHIS (1994-2001): 126 games, 573 catches, 7,349 yards, 12.8 per catch and 57 touchdowns.

ALFRED JENKINS (1975-1983): 110 games, 360 catches, 6,267 yards, 17.4 yards per catch and 40 touchdowns.

ANDRE RISON (1990-1994): 78 games, 423 catches for 5,633 yards, 13.3 yards per catch and 56 touchdowns.

MICHAEL HAYNES (1988-1997): 99 games, 266 catches, 4,220 yards, 15.9 yards per catch and 34 touchdowns.

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The Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s D. Orlando Ledbetter joins CineSport’s Noah Coslov to identify the players that the Falcons may be able to land with the 17th pick in the Draft & discuss impressive players on offense.

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