Ranking every Vikings wide receiver drafted in the first round

6. Troy Williamson (2005)

When the Vikings selected Troy Williamson with the seventh pick in the 2005 NFL Draft he could not have encountered a less favorable situation. After seven seasons with the Vikings, another first-round draft pick, Randy Moss wanted out of Minnesota. In a trade with the Oakland Raiders, the Vikings received their first-round pick in exchange for Moss.

There was no way Williamson, or anyone else for that matter, was going to come close to fill the giant-sized shoes Moss left behind. Unfortunately, for the Vikings and Williamson, he did not even come close. Moss averaged 82 receptions for 1,306 yards and 13 touchdowns during his first stint with Minnesota. In three seasons with the Vikings, Williamson totaled 79 receptions for 1,067 yards four touchdowns.

Williamson’s best season came in 2006 when he made 11 starts and finished with 37 receptions for 455 yards. That was fifth on the team behind wide receiver Travis Taylor, tight end Jermaine Wiggins and running backs Mewelde Moore and Chester Taylor. The following season Williamson only started eight games.

Before the 2008 season, the Vikings traded Williamson to the Jacksonville Jaguars for a sixth-round draft pick. In two seasons with the Jaguars, Williamson only caught eight passes for 64 yards and one touchdown. His career lasted only five seasons with 87 receptions for 1,131 yards and four touchdowns.