Top Ten Minnesota Vikings Receivers

The receiver tradition of the Minnesota Vikings can rival that of any team in the NFL. Two Vikings receivers have busts in Canton and the sculpting of a bust for the third can probably begin. Receiver has always been my favorite position. Following the Vikings receivers for the past 50+ years have been an amazing treat. 

Top Ten Minnesota Vikings Receivers

1.   Cris Carter

2.   Randy Moss

3.   Justin Jefferson

4.   Anthony Carter

5.   Ahmad Rashad

6.   Adam Thielen

7.   Stefon Diggs

8.   Sammy White

9.   Jake Reed

10. John Gilliam

Most people probably have Randy Moss over Cris Carter. I get it. Moss is the most physically gifted receiver to ever play. I have Carter #1 simply because he and Alan Page are my favorite Vikings. It’s a personal thing. As a fan of receivers, I never thought I’d ever see a receiver to rival Carter and Moss. Along came Justin Jefferson. Just as I thought I’d never see a receiver challenge Carter and Moss. I never thought I’d ever see a player challenge Carter and Page. Jefferson is doing both. He’s done so much already, it’s unbelievable that he’s only played five seasons. He’s a brilliant, fun receiver and football player. And person. 

It’s hard to believe that Cris Carter was once the second Carter to Anthony Carter. If Anthony Carter had come straight to the Vikings rather than slumming it in the USFL for three years, he’d have a better Hall of Fame argument. His destruction of the San Francisco 49ers in the 1987 Divisional Playoffs will always be remembered. Another receiver that should’ve gotten to the Vikings sooner was Ahmad Rashad. If he’d played his entire career with Fran Tarkenton and Tommy Kramer, he’d be in the Hall of Fame. For all of his seven years in Minnesota, he was one of the best receivers in the league. Adam Thielen is a great Minnesota story. His is also a great football story. He was also an excellent receiver. Stefon Diggs’ time in Minnesota is interesting. Highlighted by the Minneapolis Miracle, his play was often outstanding. Quickness, route-running, hands. He had fun receiving traits. On and off the field, he was also quite unpredictable. That unpredictability eventually brought Justin Jefferson to Minnesota. Sammy White exploded on the NFL scene as a rookie. He was the second of four Vikings receivers to earn the league’s Offensive Rookie of the Year. Sammy White and Ahmad Rashad were the first great Vikings receiver tandem. Statistically, Cris Carter and Jake Reed was the Vikings greatest receiver tandem. For four seasons, both gained over 1000 yards. It’s easy to get lost in the Vikings great receiver tradition. John Gilliam shouldn’t be forgotten. He came to Minnesota the same year Fran Tarkenton returned (1972). They immediately had a big play connection. From 1972-74, Gilliam averaged 22.0, 21.6, and 22.2 yards per reception. That’s ridiculous during any era. It was especially ridiculous during an era in which the league’s rules didn’t do much to aid the passing game.

I had to include John Gilliam on this list but it really hurt to leave off Percy Harvin. During his four years with the Vikings, Harvin was one of the most fun, most explosive Vikings players I’ve ever seen. If this list was based on pure athletic talent, he’d be right behind Moss. I hated to see Harvin leave Minnesota. I really hated to see him leave for Seattle.