Over the past half-decade, Calvin Johnson has been the best wide receiver in the NFL.

It’s why when he says discussions of him slowing down or hitting a decline are “rumors,” rumors he has a chance to shut down with a strong 2015 season beginning Sunday, when the Detroit Lions play San Diego in the season opener.

Johnson is entering his ninth NFL season. The single-season receiving yards record holder with 1,964, he has been considered the best wide receiver in the league for the past five seasons. And that sustained period of dominance should eventually yield an NFL Hall of Fame gold jacket.

While Johnson has shown to be healthy during the preseason, injuries have limited him somewhat the past two seasons -- years where he still eclipsed the 1,000-yard barrier. He missed three games in 2014 and was severely limited in two others with an ankle injury. The season before, he missed two games with a knee injury.

Between 2013 and 2014, he had procedures to fix both his knee and his right ring finger, which is still slightly off-kilter.

So here’s a look, based on statistical numbers, of where Johnson stands right now in the all-time ledgers. It will also look at where his numbers stack up in comparison to already enshrined Hall of Famers and those who might end up in the Hall by the time he is eligible. This gives an idea of where Johnson sits and what he might need to do to make sure he eventually ends up with a bust in Canton.

“I know I’m going to turn 30,” Johnson told reporters this week. “But the body feels good right now.”

A couple more elite seasons could lock up a trip to the Hall of Fame for Calvin Johnson. Gregory Shamus/Getty Images

If his body ends up feeling good, then Johnson could end up putting himself even closer than he already is to shoo-in status for the Hall.

*all lists are from Pro Football Reference

Receiving yards: Johnson sits at 10,405 right now, making him No. 36 on the all-time receiving list. Of those ahead of him, 10 are in the Hall. That number should grow by before Johnson retires, as Terrell Owens, Randy Moss and Tony Gonzalez are all in the top five in receiving yards and are not yet eligible for enshrinement. If Johnson has two more 1,000-yard seasons, he would likely move into the Top 20 all-time. Of all the active players in the Top 100 in receiving yards, Johnson is the only one who isn’t 30 ye,t so that bodes well for him putting himself, barring major injury, in good position by the time his career is over. Reaching Jerry Rice’s career total of 22,895 yards is not realistic, but somewhere between 13,500 and 15,000 would be -- and that would place him somewhere between sixth and 13th as of now. Of course, if he plays at a high level until he is 35, then being in the Top 3 all-time would be in reach.

Receptions: Johnson is at No. 54 all-time with 643. There are a bunch of active players in front of him -- but none are younger. If Johnson averages 86 catches over the next couple of seasons -- which is the number you get if you take his average number of receptions per game and extrapolate it over 16 games -- that would put him in the Top 30 right now, although probably a bit lower by the time he gets there. The potential number to watch for Johnson could be 750. That was Michael Irvin’s career reception number. If he passes that, he should be in pretty good shape, as Johnson should pass Irvin’s 11,904 career yards this season as long as he’s healthy. This is so hard to predict because it’ll depend on his longevity and progression, but reaching 1,000 receptions could be in reach if he stays healthy the next two seasons and plays four more after that. That would put him tied for 10th all-time with Hines Ward, although that number could be closer to 15th by the time he retires.

Touchdowns: Johnson has 74 right now, tied for 30th all-time. He has had double-digit touchdown seasons four times in his career, but only once in back-to-back seasons (2010 and 2011). He only had eight last season, so his career arc is due for another 10-plus-touchdown season. The number to watch is potentially 87. That would tie Johnson with Andre Reed, a Hall of Famer, for No. 14 all-time. Of the Top 20 touchdown reception leaders, 10 are in the Hall, with Moss, Owens and Gonzalez likely to join them soon.