8 best performances by a Vikings WR in their first 5 seasons with the team
By Tim Arcand
2. Cris Carter (1990 – 1994)
- 76 games
- 360 receptions
- 4,383 yards
- 30 touchdowns
It should come as no surprise to anyone that follows the Vikings to find Cris Carter coming in at No. 2.
Like Anthony Carter, Cris started his NFL career with another team. Cris Carter was one of three players selected in the 1987 Supplemental Draft. The Philadelphia Eagles selected him in the fourth round and Carter ended up spending three seasons with them before falling out of favor with head coach Buddy Ryan.
Minnesota managed to claim Carter off of waivers before the 1990 season after he was let go by the Eagles.
He broke into the Vikings starting lineup in 1991 and he went on to lead the team in receptions, receiving yards, and touchdowns in each of his next four seasons. In 1994, his fifth with Minnesota, he led the NFL with 122 receptions, setting the single-season record at the time. He would match that total in 1995, but former Lions receiver Herman Moore ended up breaking his record with 123 receptions of his own.
As good as Carter was during his first five seasons with the Vikings, he was even better during the rest of his career in purple.
Carter exceeded 1,000 receiving yards twice in his first five seasons in 1993 and 1994. He extended that streak for a total of eight seasons and he led the league in touchdowns in 1995, 1997, and 1999 after never finishing with more than nine before 1994.
Carter’s career spanned 12 seasons with the Vikings, making him the top-ranked receiver in franchise history with 1,004 receptions, 12,383 receiving yards, and 110 touchdowns. His 188 games with Minnesota also ranks 10th all-time in team history.