Minnesota Vikings: 10 best third-round draft picks of all-time
By Adam Carlson
2. Jake Reed, WR – 1991
Not a lot of good things came from the Herschel Walker trade, but one of the picks acquired from the Cowboys during the transaction resulted in the Minnesota Vikings drafting wide receiver Jake Reed, so that’s good, right?
Like many of the others on this list, Reed had to earn his role with the team. He only started one game in his first three seasons with the Vikings, but then he would grab that role and excel in a massive way.
A full-time starter in 1994, Reed rifled off four consecutive 1,000-yard seasons. Part of the “Three Deep” wide receiver grouping including Randy Moss and Cris Carter, Jake Reed gained a lot of attention in one of the most dynamic and explosive pass offenses in NFL history.
Reed has his place in Minnesota Vikings history, as he is fourth in franchise history with 6,433 total receiving yards and seventh in receiving touchdowns with 33. It’s somewhat criminal he never earned a Pro Bowl or All-Pro nod in his career considering his success, especially from 1994-1997.