Fansided

Every NFL team’s best draft pick of all-time

By Brad Rowland

FOXBORO, MA - JANUARY 16: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots gestures after a play in the fourth quarter against the Kansas City Chiefs during the AFC Divisional Playoff Game at Gillette Stadium on January 16, 2016 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
FOXBORO, MA - JANUARY 16: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots gestures after a play in the fourth quarter against the Kansas City Chiefs during the AFC Divisional Playoff Game at Gillette Stadium on January 16, 2016 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /
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MINNEAPOLIS – OCTOBER 17: Wide receiver Randy Moss #84 the Minnesota Vikings looks on prior to the start of the game against the Dallas Cowboys at Mall of America Field on October 17, 2010 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS – OCTOBER 17: Wide receiver Randy Moss #84 the Minnesota Vikings looks on prior to the start of the game against the Dallas Cowboys at Mall of America Field on October 17, 2010 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images) /

Minnesota Vikings – Randy Moss (No. 21 pick, 1998)

There are a few players to choose from with the Vikings, including the legendary Alan Page, who was the number 15 overall pick in the 1967 NFL Draft before becoming a sure-fire Hall of Fame defensive lineman. Still, this probably comes down to a personal preference between current Vikings All-Pro running back Adrian Peterson (a no-doubt Hall of Fame inclusion one day) and Randy Moss, who also happens to be bound for Canton.

For me, this is about value and aggression. Moss fell to number 21 because of some off-field concerns, and not because of his vast talent. After all, he was an incredibly physical specimen at 6-foot-4 and more than 200 pounds with blazing speed and great hands, but Minnesota had to be willing to pick Moss in the midst of whatever grease fire it could have been, and they deserve kudos for that. For Peterson, there was less risk without off-field worries, and taking a running back in the top ten is usually a statement in overvaluing a prospect. It worked out with Peterson, but the 14-spot gap matters to me.

As for Moss, he was the best wide receiver in the league during a seven-season stint with Minnesota. He compiled 9,316 receiving yards and 92 touchdown catches (which is obscene) during that time, and Moss led the NFL in touchdown catches on three occasions while surpassing 1,200 yards in six straight campaigns to begin his career.

Moss is almost more well-known at this point for his brief stint with Tom Brady in New England, but Minnesota-era Moss was a sight to behold.

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