Ranking every Vikings wide receiver drafted in the first round
By Tim Arcand
4. Jack Snow (1965)
No doubt, many will question the inclusion of Jack Snow in this ranking. A first-round draft pick of the Vikings from Notre Dame, according to an article in the Olympian, Snow made it clear he did not want to play in Minnesota.
It seems odd that a person with his last name, who was born in Wyoming would not want to play in Minnesota. In Rick Spielman-like fashion, the Vikings still found a way to improve their roster with the selection.
The Vikings traded Snow to the Rams for veteran wide receiver Red Phillips and defensive tackle Gary Larsen. Larsen, a 10th-round draft pick of the Rams in 1964, became a member of the famous Purple People Eaters playing 149 games for the Vikings in 10 seasons. He was named to the Pro Bowl in 1969 and 1970.
A first-round draft pick of Los Angeles in 1958, Phillips came to the Vikings after seven seasons with the Rams. A three-time Pro Bowler, he played in 199 games for the Rams leaving with 333 receptions, 4,953 yards, and 27 touchdowns. In 1961, he was named First-Team All-Pro in 1961 when he led the NFL with 78 receptions.
Phillips played three seasons with the Vikings adding 68 receptions, 1,091 yards, and seven touchdowns while playing alongside Paul Flatley at wide receiver. In his 10-year career, Phillips caught 401 passes for 6,044 yards and 34 touchdowns.
Snow played 11 seasons in the NFL, all of them with the Rams. He finished his career with 340 receptions, 6,012 yards, and 45 touchdowns. Even though he never played a game with the Vikings, his selection still helped to shape the Vikings.