Steve Smith ranks in the all-time elite tier for receivers — a career that places Smith in the top 1% of all players at the position. The Knox value model assigns Smith a career score of 89, reflecting sustained impact that most players at the position never approach.
Career Value · VORP
366 career value over replacement — #56 all-time of 4,649. 24.4/season above a replacement-level WR.
Career Profile
Pick #74 (Rd 3) · CAR · 2001 · +49 vs expected KV-H
Fan Rating
Rate Steve Smith — All-Time
Explore More
Similar Players
Regular-season all-time ranks
Postseason all-time ranks
Season honors and record seasons
An all-time caliber wide receiver (top 1% 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.
Worth 366 points of value above a freely-available replacement receiver — top 2% of all 4,649 ranked at the position. 14 of 15 seasons cleared the replacement bar, by +26.1 on average.See board →
Seasons above replacement
14 seasons × ~26.1 surplus ≈
Jaylen Waddle
WR
91% match
2001 Draft ClassmatesFull class →