Irving Fryar ranks in the all-time elite tier for receivers — a career that places Fryar in the top 5% of all players at the position. The Knox value model assigns Fryar a career score of 74, reflecting sustained impact that most players at the position never approach.

WRWAS#86ACT

Irving Fryar

5× Pro Bowl👑 Dynasty DNA · 7 seasons · 2 titles Top 5% all-time WRsIron Legend📉 Fades · -18% playoffs ⭐ Shooting Star · 2000

Height6'0"

Weight198 lb

BornSep 28, 1962

Age63

CollegeNebraska See College Stats

Rookie yr1984

Draft1984 · Rd 1, Pick 1 · NE

All-Time Rank & Honors

career ranks, postseason ranks, awards, title context

Regular-season all-time ranks

24thReceiving Yards·12,785 yds 24thReceiving Touchdowns·84 37thReceptions·851

Pro Bowls

Title Seasons

Dynasty Seasons

Archetype Intelligence

Iron LegendExplore archetypes →

An all-time caliber wide receiver (top 5% all-time) who combined elite production with excellent availability over their career. Iron Legends define eras — they show up, every game, for years on end.

Career Value · VORP

VORP 276 · #169 · Elite

Worth 276 points of value above a freely-available replacement receiver — top 5% of all 4,642 ranked at the position. 16 of 16 seasons cleared the replacement bar, by +17.3 on average.See board →

Seasons above replacement

16 cleared

Beat replacement (adds to VORP) Below it — adds 0, never a debit

Replacement

the KC-H bar

→

Seasons over

cleared the bar

+17.3

Avg surplus

peak +29

16 seasons × ~17.3 surplus ≈ VORP 276

Combined Season Grid

The full season-by-season grids, joined on one timeline. Every selected stat family stays visible at once—no tab hopping.

4 grids split in one view

Season	Age	Team	G	GS	Receiving									Rushing								Defense													Advanced (EPA)
Season	Age	Team	G	GS	Tgt	Rec	Yds	TD	Ctch%	Y/R	Y/Tgt	AirYd/T	1D	Att	Yds	TD	Y/A	TD%	1D	1D%	Fmb	Tkl	Solo	Ast	TFL	QBHits	Sk	Dis	Int	PD	FF	FR	TD	Sfty	Pass EPA	Rush EPA	Rec EPA	Pass AirYd	Rec AirYd
1984	—	NWE	3	—	—	11	164	1	—	14.9	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
1985	—	NWE	14	—	—	39	670	7	—	17.2	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
1986	—	NWE	13	—	—	43	737	6	—	17.1	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
1987	—	NWE	12	—	—	31	467	5	—	15.1	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
1988	—	NWE	14	—	—	33	490	5	—	14.8	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
1989	—	NWE	5	—	—	29	537	3	—	18.5	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
1990	—	NWE	15	—	—	54	856	4	—	15.9	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
1991	—	NWE	15	—	—	68	1,014	3	—	14.9	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
1992	—	NWE	14	—	—	55	791	4	—	14.4	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
1993	—	MIA	16	—	—	64	1,010	5	—	15.8	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
1994	—	MIA	16	—	—	73	1,270	7	—	17.4	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
1995	—	MIA	16	—	—	62	910	8	—	14.7	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
1996	—	PHI	16	—	—	88	1,195	11	—	13.6	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
1997	—	PHI	16	—	—	86	1,316	6	—	15.3	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
1998	—	PHI	16	—	—	48	556	2	—	11.6	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
1999	—	WAS	14	—	46	26	254	2	56.5%	9.8	5.5	—	16	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
1999	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	1.1	0	0
2000	—	WAS	14	—	75	41	548	5	54.7%	13.4	7.3	—	29	2	16	0	8.0	0.0	1	50.0	0	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
2000	—	PIT	3	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	4	4	0	0	0	0.0	0.0	0	0	0	—	0	0	—	—	—	—	—
2000	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	0.7	24.3	0	0
Career		—	232	—	121	851	12,785	84	703.3%	15.0	105.7	—	45	2	16	0	8.0	0.0	1	50.0	0	4	4	0	0	0	0.0	0.0	0	0	0	—	0	0	—	0.7	25.4	0	0

Career EPA26.0·1 rushing · 25 receiving·13.0/season

Rushing

Season	Age	Team	G	GS	Att	Yds	TD	Y/A	TD%	1D	1D%	Fmb	VAL
2000	38	WAS	14	—	2	16	0	8.0	0.0	1	50.0	0	9.9
Career			14		2	16	0	8.0	—	1	—	0	191.1

Receiving

Season	Age	Team	G	GS	Tgt	Rec	Yds	TD	Ctch%	Y/R	Y/Tgt	AirYd/T	1D
1984	22	NWE	3	—	—	11	164	1	—	14.9	—	—	—
1985	23	NWE	14	—	—	39	670	7	—	17.2	—	—	—
1986	24	NWE	13	—	—	43	737	6	—	17.1	—	—	—
1987	25	NWE	12	—	—	31	467	5	—	15.1	—	—	—
1988	26	NWE	14	—	—	33	490	5	—	14.8	—	—	—
1989	27	NWE	5	—	—	29	537	3	—	18.5	—	—	—
1990	28	NWE	15	—	—	54	856	4	—	15.9	—	—	—
1991	29	NWE	15	—	—	68	1,014	3	—	14.9	—	—	—
1992	30	NWE	14	—	—	55	791	4	—	14.4	—	—	—
1993	31	MIA	16	—	—	64	1,010	5	—	15.8	—	—	—
1994	32	MIA	16	—	—	73	1,270	7	—	17.4	—	—	—
1995	33	MIA	16	—	—	62	910	8	—	14.7	—	—	—
1996	34	PHI	16	—	—	88	1,195	11	—	13.6	—	—	—
1997	35	PHI	16	—	—	86	1,316	6	—	15.3	—	—	—
1998	36	PHI	16	—	—	48	556	2	—	11.6	—	—	—
1999	37	WAS	14	—	46	26	254	2	56.5%	9.8	5.5	—	16
2000	38	WAS	14	—	75	41	548	5	54.7%	13.4	7.3	—	29
Career			229		121	851	12,785	84	703.3%	15.0	105.7	—	45

Advanced (EPA)

Season	Age	Team	G	GS	Pass EPA	Rush EPA	Rec EPA
1999	37	—	—	—	—	—	1.1
2000	38	—	—	—	—	0.7	24.3
Career					—	—	—

KV-H Anatomy

KV-H 74 · Great

A great career by KV-H: a peak-driven profile that scores 74 of 100, era-normalized against rec yds/g peers across 16 scored seasons.

Sustained

career value

×.6

Peak

best 3 seasons

×.4

×1

Longevity

career length

Blend 70.4 × longevity 1 = KV-H 74· confidence 98%

What builds the career mark of 66

On-field 47.8

Availability 18.2

On-field production Staying available

Season-by-season quality (era-relative rec yds/g)

1985bestavg 65elite 702000

All-Time Standing

how this career measures against the all-time greats at the position

Solid

of 100

Reached 56% of the all-time Receiving Yards leader — a solid all-time profile at the position.

56% of the all-time Receiving Yards leader56

3 categories ≥25% of the all-time leader100

13.01 EPA/season over 2 seasons54

A 0–100 scale where 100 = matched the all-time leaderat this position. Built only from visible encyclopedia data — career production vs. the all-time leader, plus efficiency (EPA) and comparable-player confidence — so it's a transparent context score, not a subjective rating. Tiers: Elite ≥ 85 · Strong ≥ 65 · Solid ≥ 45 · Depth < 45. Comparable-player confidence: 95%.

Career Aging Trajectory

vs. position group average · KV-H basis

Amber = this player (normalized to own peak). Indigo = average wide receivers aging curve. Group peak age: 25. Source: StatVault KV-H era (1999+).

Playoff vs Regular Season

📉 Regular Season Player

Yards / Reception: 15.0 regular season → 12.3 playoffs (6 playoff seasons)

-18%

vs reg season

Postseason Career

9 playoff games

Receiving

Tgt7Rec29Yds358TD2Ctch%414.3%Y/R12.3Y/Tgt51.11D2

Advanced (EPA)

Rec EPA-0.1

College Stats

NebraskaImported college table

College Rushing

Season	School	Att	Yds	TD	Y/A	TD%	1D	1D%	Fmb
1981	—	7	30	1	4.3	14.3	—	—	—
1982	—	20	253	2	12.7	10.0	—	—	—
1983	—	23	318	2	13.8	8.7	—	—	—
Career		50	601	5	12.0	10.0	—	—	—

College Receiving

Season	School	Tgt	Rec	Yds	TD	Ctch%	Y/R	Y/Tgt	AirYd/T	1D
1981	—	—	3	70	1	—	23.3	—	—	—
1982	—	—	24	346	2	—	14.4	—	—	—
1983	—	—	40	780	8	—	19.5	—	—	—
Career		0	67	1,196	11	—	17.9	—	—	—

Reference Graph

Career teammates and draft class, derived from year-by-year rosters — every name is linked.

1984 Draft Class· this player went #1

#1Steve YoungQB #3Carl BanksOLB #4Kenny JacksonWR #4Reggie WhiteDE #11Wilber MarshallOLB #17Clyde DuncanWR #20David LewisTE #23Louis LippsWR #26Greg BellRB #28Brian BladosOT #37Jim SweeneyC #38Boomer EsiasonQB #39Glenn DennisonTE #41Eric RichardsonWR #47Pete MandleyWR #49Daryl TurnerWR

Franchise Succession

the room, before and after

Irving inherited the New England Patriots WR room from Stephen Starring (1983–1987), and handed it to Hart Lee Dykes (1989–1990).

Stephen Starring 1983–1987Irving Fryar 1984–1992Hart Lee Dykes 1989–1990Michael Timpson 1989–1994Greg McMurtry 1990–1993Vincent Brisby

Similar Players

Statistical + physical similarity across every player in the database, position-relevant (0–100%).

Movementderived from season history

2000final season
Last recorded season with WAS
1999team change
Joined WAS (from PHI)
1996team change
Joined PHI (from MIA)
1993team change
Joined MIA (from NWE)
1984draft
Drafted by NE — Round 1, Pick 1
1984team change
Joined NWE (from NE)

Athletic & Unique Profile

verified measurements and curated source-tagged facts

6'0" / 198 lb

Frame

Knox

StatVault's proprietary player intelligence, informed by full career data. How Knox works →

Historical Knox · KV-H

Era-normalized career quality — z-scored against 16-season peers. See all →

Era Translator

Rec Yds translated to the 2025NFL — each season's standing among its own-era peers, projected onto 2025's scoring environment. Modern-era (1999+) coverage.

Season	Actual Rec Yds	Rec Yds/G	→ 2025 Rec Yds	→ 2025 /G
1985	670	47.9	815+145	47.9
1986	737	56.7	925+188	54.4
1987	467	38.9	653+186	38.4
1988	490	35	590+100	34.7
1989	537	107.4	1,707+1,170	100.4
1990	856	57.1	938+82	55.1
1991	1,014	67.6	1,081+67	63.6
1992	791	56.5	899+108	52.9
1993	1,010	63.1	987-23	58.1
1994	1,270	79.4	1,176-94	69.2
1995	910	56.9	838-72	49.3
1996	1,195	74.7	1,033-162	60.8
1997	1,316	82.3	1,147-169	67.5
1998	556	34.8	511-45	30.1
1999	254	18.1	265+11	15.6
2000	548	39.1	568+20	33.4

Data: nflverse:players, nflverse:player_stats, nflverse:player_stats_def, nflverse:draft_picks, nflverse:advanced-epa (CC-BY 4.0), wikipedia:season-stats (CC-BY-SA, facts-only), wikipedia:college-stats (CC-BY-SA, facts-only) · multi-source verified via the StatVault Oracle · updated 6/18/2026

Career Value · VORP

276 career value over replacement — #169 all-time of 4,642. 17.3/season above a replacement-level WR.

Draft OutcomeValue ↑

Pick #1 (Rd 1) · NE · 1984 · +12.2 vs expected KV-H

74actual

61.8 expected · Δ+12.2

💔+30.8 stolen VORP·1.76 szns lost

Fan Rating

Rate Irving Fryar — All-Time

Tap a star to rate

Explore More

Similar Players

Fred Biletnikoff

96% match

Harold Carmichael

96% match

Bobby Mitchell

94% match

Drew Pearson

94% match

Fred Barnett

94% match

Compare Irving Fryar vs Player Report data error

Irving Fryar

All-Time Rank & Honors

Archetype Intelligence

Career Value · VORP

Combined Season Grid

Rushing

Receiving

Advanced (EPA)

KV-H Anatomy

All-Time Standing

Career Aging Trajectory

Postseason Career

Receiving

Advanced (EPA)

College Stats

College Rushing

College Receiving

Reference Graph

Top Teammates

1984 Draft Class· this player went #1

Franchise Succession

Similar Players

Movementderived from season history

Athletic & Unique Profile

Knox

Era Translator

Career Geography