Let’s Debate! The Best Wide Receivers in Minnesota Vikings Franchise History
By: Ross Blilie
3–22–2023
These days the NFL is a pass-happy league. Quarterbacks are getting paid big bucks to throw the ball to a super speedy wide receiver. Having big play ability is becoming the norm. Fans love seeing the acrobatic one-handed catches and the toe-drag swag catches on the sidelines. NFL Fantasy owners like me are always looking for that one guy who will catch multiple touchdowns a game.
When it comes to the best receivers in Minnesota Vikings franchise history, I can think of Justin Jefferson, Randy Moss, Cris Carter, Quadry Ismail, Ahmad Rashad, KJ Osborn, Adam Thielen, Sammy White, Anthony Carter, Stefon Diggs, Percy Harvin, Jake Reed, Sidney Rice, Bernard Berrian. These guys all had a decent offensive system to work with, but some, more than others, outperformed everyone else.
If I had to rank the top five Wide Receivers in Vikings franchise history, I would put
1. Randy Moss
2. Justin Jefferson
3. Cris Carter
4. Stefon Diggs
5. Adam Thielen
The reason I put Randy Moss number one is because his athletic ability and speed are very impressive for his height. His long arms and legs allowed him to outjump all the defenders and make spectacular catches when they were needed the most. His rookie record for touchdown catches in a single season has not been broken as far as I know. In fact, a Google search showed that Cris Carter tied Randy Moss with seventeen touchdowns in 1995. That was also the season that Carter had 122 receptions.
The reason I put Justin Jefferson in second place is because he is currently the number one receiver on the Vikings roster right now, as well as the fact that he has broken a plethora of records in his first three seasons. His big play ability rivals that of Randy Moss, but in my opinion, aren’t always there. Sometimes I think that O’Connell uses too many bubble screens and the other receivers don’t block very well for him.
My reason for putting Cris Carter as the third best receiver in Vikings franchise history is because he caught over a thousand balls in his career, but his big play ability isn’t nearly as good as Moss’ nor Jefferson’s. If the QB needs a certain amount of yards to get a first down, then going to Carter is the best bet. His catching ability is very impressive. Carter’s toe-drag swag is phenomenal. In my opinion, it’s a really close one between Moss and Carter as to whose catching ability is better.
I ranked Stefon Diggs fourth in franchise history because of his speed. Yes, he has great catching ability and great toe-drag swag, but his big play ability lacks in targets. I think that his target count per game was all over the place. I don’t think it was consistent enough with where Carter, Moss, and Jefferson are/were. Before Diggs was traded to the Bills, I think that he was a bit of a drama king. I understand wanting to get the ball as often as possible, but since there is only one ball to go around in a game; it just isn’t likely to get the ball thrown to you on every play. I think that he being a drama king at end takes away from his big play ability.
At last, I ranked Adam Thielen fifth because of his route running ability. His feet and his routes were so crisp and clean, that his big play ability came from how fast he could cut and run a route. His overall speed is right on par with the rest of the players in the league, but all his catches and touchdowns were impressive because of his ability to master running a passing route.
So, there you have it. The five best wide receivers in Vikings franchise history. Do you agree or disagree with this list? Who should I have added or taken off? Only time will tell how the new receivers will fare in the league next season.
Ross Blilie is an avid NFL fan of the Minnesota Vikings since the 1990’s. He loves to talk about the NFL and the Vikings every chance he gets. His hobbies also include bowling with his wife and friends, narrating audiobooks, fishing, and even sitting by a campfire with family at Lake Blackduck in Minnesota. You can find Ross on twitter & Instagram @Rossthenarrator.
