Wide Receiver A wide receiver is an offensive position in American and Canadian football , and is the key player in most of the passing plays . Only players in the backfield or the ends on the line are eligible to catch a forward pass . The two players who begin play at the ends of the offensive line are eligible receivers , as are all players in the backfield . Since these two receivers begin play as the offensive players nearest the sidelines , they are referred to as " wide " receivers . At the start of play , one wide receiver may begin play in the backfield , at least a yard behind the line of scrimmage , as is shown in the diagram at the right . The wide receiver on the right begins play in the backfield . Such positioning allows another player , usually the tight end , to also become the eligible receiver on that side of the line . Such positioning defines the strong side of the field . This is the right side of the field in the diagram shown . The wide receiver ( WR ) position in American and Canadian football is the pass - catching specialist . Wide receivers ( also referred to as wideouts or simply receivers ) are among the fastest and most agile players in the game , and they are frequent highlight - reel favorites . The wide receiver ' s principal role is to catch passes from the quarterback . On passing plays , the receiver attempts to avoid , outmaneuver , or simply outrun defenders ( typically cornerbacks and / or safeties ) in the area of his pass route . If the receiver becomes " open " , or has an unobstructed path to the destination of a catch , he may then become the quarterback ' s target . Once a pass is thrown in his direction , the receiver ' s goal is to first catch the ball and then attempt to run downfield . Some receivers are perceived as a " deep threat " because of their flat - out speed , while others may be " possession receivers " known for not dropping passes , running crossing routes across the middle of the field , and generally , converting third down situations . A receiver ' s height and weight also contribute to his expected role ; tall in height and light in weight are advantages at the receiver position . Wide receivers , and the passing game generally , are particularly important when a team uses a hurry - up offense . Receivers are able to position themselves near the sideline to run out of bounds , stopping the clock at the end of the play ( NFL , and last two minutes of each half in NCAA ) . ( A failed , " incomplete , " pass attempt will also stop the clock . ) A wide receiver has two potential roles in running routes that range in status . Particularly in the case of draw play s , he may run a pass route with the intent of drawing off defenders . Alternately , he may block normally for the running back . Well - rounded receivers are noted for blocking defensive backs in support of teammates in addition to their pass - catching abilities . Sometimes wide receivers are used to run the ball , usually in some form of reverse . This can be effective because the defense usually does not expect them to be the ball carrier on running plays . Although receivers are rarely used as ball carriers , running the ball with a receiver can be extremely successful . For example , in addition to holding nearly every National Football League receiving record , wide receiver Jerry Rice also rushed the ball 87 times for 645 yards and 10 touchdowns in his 20 NFL seasons . In even rarer cases , receivers may pass the ball as part of a trick play . Despite the infrequency of these plays , some receivers have proven to be capable passers , particularly those with prior experience as a quarterback . A remarkable example where wide receiver and quarterback even swapped roles was Kansas City Chiefs ' WR Mark Bradley ' s 37 yard touchdown pass to QB Tyler Thigpen against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on 2 November 2008 . Wide receivers also serve on special teams as return men on kickoffs and punts , or as part of the " hands team " during onside kick s . Finally , on errant passes , receivers must frequently play a defensive role by attempting to prevent an interception . If a pass is intercepted , receivers must use their speed to chase down and tackle the ball carrier to prevent him from returning the ball for a long gain or a touchdown . In the NFL wide receivers can use the numbers 10 - 19 and 80 - 89 . Types . While the general fan base and most commentators use the generic term " wide receiver " for all such players , specific names exist for most receiver positions :