Minnesota Vikings: Top 30 draft picks in franchise history
By Dan Zinski
Aug 30, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; NFL former wide receiver Randy Moss before the game between the New Orleans Saints and the Houston Texans at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports
3. Randy Moss
Randy Moss was perceived as a troubled young player when he entered the draft out of Marshall in 1998.
Had it not been for his character red flags, Moss might well have been a top five pick that year. But he fell in the draft and the Vikings were lucky he did.
Vikings coach Dennis Green looked past Moss’ character issues and made him the 21st overall selection in that year’s draft.
Moss burst on the scene in 1998 with one of the most legendary rookie seasons in NFL history. With Moss torching NFL defenses at an unprecedented rate, the Vikings made it to the NFC title game.
The Vikings unfortunately failed to make the Super Bowl in Moss’ first season.
The Vikings soared to the NFC title game again after the 2000 season but once again fell short of the Super Bowl. They made one final memorable playoff appearance with Moss in 20o4, beating the Green Bay Packers in Lambeau Field before falling to the Eagles in the Divisional Round.
The Vikings traded Moss to the Raiders after the 2004 season and immediately became a much less devastating offensive team. Moss returned for a second stint in 2010 but lasted only three games.
Though the Vikes never won a ring with Moss, his Hall of Fame-level career ultimately vindicated Dennis Green’s faith in him.