Call it the curse of Randy Moss, but Minnesota has struggled to find a receiver that stretches a defense since #84 tore up the league from 1998 to 2004.

The list of draft attempts is noteworthy. Minnesota selected Nate Burleson in the 3rd round of the 2003 NFL Draft. Nate was decent in three years for the Vikings. In 2004 when Randy Moss was injured, Burleson stepped up and reached the 1,000 yard receiving mark. Unfortunately, when the Vikings lured away guard Steve Hutchinson with a contract maneuver that Seattle could not match, the Seahawks returned the favor and 'stole' Burleson. He had a decent NFL career with 457 catches, 5,630 yards, and 39 touchdowns. It was too bad the majority of it was with other teams.

In 2005, Minnesota chose Troy Williamson or South Carolina with the 7th pick in the draft. He was a bust from the beginning as he struggled to catch the ball. In three years with the Vikings Williamson amassed 79 catches for just over 1,000 yards. That would have been a poor SINGLE season for Moss. Williamson was sent to Jacksonville where he caught eight passes in ten total games over two years. And that was the end of Williamson.

The Vikings realized that Troy was not the answer, so in 2007 they went to the South Carolina well again and drafted Sidney Rice with the 44th pick (after a trade with Atlanta) in the 2nd round. Sidney spent four seasons in purple, and in his 3rd season he was very good. That year Rice caught 83 passes for over 1,300 yards. It helped that Brett Favre had one of the greatest seasons in quarterback history in 2009. Rice's total in his other three Minnesota seasons were not as stellar: 32 games, 12 starts, 63 catches, 817 yards, and 10 touchdowns. Unfortunately, Rice had lingering injury issues, waited to have surgery after the off-season, and was soon off to Seattle via free agency. He had one decent year in three for the Seahawks before retiring.

In 2009 Minnesota drafted Percy Harvin with the 22nd pick from Florida. Harvin was to bring speed that was uncontrollable. And it was... when he was available. No one doubted the talents of Harvin. In four seasons with Minnesota he totaled 280 catches, 3,302 yards receiving, 20 touchdowns, not to mention over 3,000 yards returning kickoffs part-time with a 27.9 average, five for touchdowns. Harvin's lack of reliability was his downfall. He missed ten games, seven in his final year. He sometimes was a late scratch due to migraine headaches. He was dealt to Seattle, next to New York, and this year is in Buffalo. Since leaving Minnesota he been the focus of more bad than good.

The latest early round effort was the 2013 selection of Cordarrelle Patterson, who was drafted 29th out of Tennessee. Patterson has drawn considerable focus from media and fans to produce. In 2013 he was an elite kick-off return man, averaging 32.4 yards and scoring twice. As for a receiver, he has had limited opportunities and has produced marginal numbers. 32 games, 13 starts, 78 catches, 10.9 yards per reception is not what Minnesota had in mind drafting Cordarrelle in the first round. In 2014 his return game suffered, dropping to 25.6 yards per return. There is still plenty of time to impact the team, but early polls are not looking good.

So in the last seventeen drafts Minnesota has been unable to find a wide receiver that could have a great impact on the team. We have seen flashes, but nothing permanent. Included in those drafts are three first round picks.

Maybe we should stop drafting receivers in the first round? Are we the Detroit Lions?

In the 1976 NFL Draft's 2nd round Sammy White was chosen out of Grambling State with the 54th overall pick. White did have the benefit of arriving on a Super Bowl caliber team. It also helped that Ahmad Rashad joined him, along with already the established Fran Tarkenton and Chuck Foreman. But White's impact cannot be overstated. His first two season he was selected to the Pro Bowl. He started all 28 games, scored 19 touchdowns, and had a yards per catch of 17.8 and 18.5 respectively.

White provided a deep threat for six consecutive seasons. His first six seasons totals: 91 games, 91 starts, 306 receptions, 5,010 yards, 16.3 ave, 40 TDs. He ended his 10 year career with Minnesota in 1985. The last four years were paltry comparatively, but the first six were enough to put White among the top four or five receivers in Viking history.

Minnesota needs a Sammy White again. We need a dependable deep threat. One that stays with us for more than a few seasons. One that is not a head case. Randy Moss was arguably the best receiver to ever wear purple. He was among the best to ever play the game. He brought many great things to Minnesota. Since he was drafted it has been a valley of either bust picks or receivers that were here and gone.

There is hope that 2015 draftee Stefon Diggs, a 4.46 burner from Maryland, will eventually fill that need. Or, Patterson and/or Jarius Wright steps up in 2015 and beyond. Or maybe the answer is Charles Johnson, who broke out last year.

We can only hope.

Skol.