Chase Claypool, N’Keal Harry moving up all-time list of Canadian-born NFL receivers

A pair of young targets are rising quickly up the NFL’s all-time list of Canadian receivers.

N’Keal Harry and Chase Claypool have found success this season catching passes from NFL stars Cam Newton and Ben Roethlisberger, respectively.

Photo courtesy: Eric J. Adler/New England Patriots

Harry was a first-round selection of the New England Patriots last year but dressed for only seven games due to injury. He’s seen a lot of action through four games this season, catching 18 passes on 28 targets for 166 yards and a touchdown.

Claypool has hit the ground running as a rookie, making 13 receptions for 261 yards and five total touchdowns through four games. The 2020 second-round NFL draft pick made history with the Steelers on Sunday, becoming the first Canadian-born player to score four touchdowns in an NFL game.

Nate Burleson remains by far the most successful Canadian-born receiver in NFL history. The Calgary native played eleven seasons with Minnesota (2003-2005), Seattle (2006-2009) and Detroit (2010-2013), retiring with 457 receptions for 5,630 yards and 39 touchdowns.

Coincidentally, Burleson now works as an analyst for the NFL Network and recently called Claypool the “next great wide receiver for the Pittsburgh Steelers.”

There is a large gap after Burleson on the all-time list to retired wideouts Tommy Kane of Montreal (2,034 yards) and Austin Collie of Hamilton (1,908 yards). Eight-year veteran Luke Willson is fourth on the list with 1,295 yards and is currently a member of the Seattle Seahawks.

We’ll update this list over the course of the NFL season as Harry and Claypool continue to produce in their young NFL careers. It shouldn’t be long before both players are in the top ten.

Receptions & Yardage

1. REC Nate Burleson — 457 receptions, 5,630 yards
2. REC Tommy Kane — 142 receptions, 2,034 yards
3. REC Austin Collie — 179 receptions, 1,908 yards
4. TE Luke Willson* — 110 receptions, 1,295 yards
5. TE O.J. Santiago — 81 receptions, 1,041 yards
6. REC T.J. Jones* — 67 receptions, 852 yards
7. RB Rueben Mayes — 57 receptions, 401 yards
8. RB Ray Hare — 28 receptions, 359 yards
9. TE Wayne Stewart — 27 receptions, 355 yards
10. TE Teyo Johnson — 26 receptions, 288 yards
11. REC N’Keal Harry* — 30 receptions, 271 yards
12. REC Ryan Thelwell — 16 receptions, 268 yards
13. REC Chase Claypool* — 13 receptions, 261 yards
14. RB Paul Duhart — 9 receptions, 176 yards
15. RB Cece Hare — 9 receptions, 173 yards

Touchdown rushes/receptions

1. REC Nate Burleson — 39
2. FB Bronko Nagurski — 25
3. RB Rueben Mayes — 23
4. REC Austin Collie — 16
5. TE Luke Willson* — 11
T-6. TE O.J. Santiago — 9
T-6. REC Tommy Kane — 9
8. QB Mark Rypien — 8
9. TE Joe Rooney — 7
10. RB Tommy Hughitt — 6
T-11. REC Chase Claypool* — 5
T-11. RB Paul Duhart – 5
T-11. REC T.J. Jones* — 5
14. QB Charlie O’Rourke — 4
T-15. RB Ray Hare — 3
T-15. REC N’Keal Harry* — 3
T-15. RB Bill Rooney — 3
T-15. RB Ted Williams — 3

All stats are courtesy of Pro Football Reference.

Asterisk (*) = active player.