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Detroit Lions: Top 10 Receivers in Franchise History

By Colton Wesley

CHICAGO, IL - JANUARY 03: Calvin Johnson #81 of the Detroit Lions receieves a 36yd pass against to score a touchdown in the third quarter against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on January 3, 2016 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by David Banks/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL - JANUARY 03: Calvin Johnson #81 of the Detroit Lions receieves a 36yd pass against to score a touchdown in the third quarter against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on January 3, 2016 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by David Banks/Getty Images) /
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ALLEN PARK, MI - MAY 10: Former Detroit Lion and HOF
ALLEN PARK, MI - MAY 10: Former Detroit Lion and HOF /

. Tight End. 1968-1977. Charlie Sanders. 5. player. 50

Charlie Sanders was a receiving tight end before receiving tight ends were a thing in the NFL. His numbers don’t reach the heights of the best receivers of his era but stood out compared to other tight ends of the day. During Sanders’ ten-year career, he was named to the Pro Bowl seven times.

Sanders had his best statistical season in 1969, picking up 656 yards on 42 receptions, but he had at least 400 receiving yards in all but his final season—ten consecutive seasons of consistent production from a position that wasn’t widely used as an offensive threat until decades later. Unfortunately, Sanders had very little help on a poor 1970s Lions team that only made the playoffs once during his career.

Sanders retired in 1977 after ten seasons in Detroit. He was named to the NFL’s All-Decade Team for the 1970s and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2007.

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