Minnesota acquired Ahmad Rashad from Seattle for a 1977…
Minnesota acquired Ahmad Rashad from Seattle for a 1977 fourth-round pick and found an ideal long-term receiving partner for Fran Tarkenton and the Vikings offense. Rashad spent seven seasons in Minnesota, caught 400 passes for 5,489 yards and earned four consecutive Pro Bowl selections, making the modest acquisition cost an extraordinary bargain.
Minnesota Vikings Received
- player Ahmad Rashad (formerly Bobby Moore)
Seattle Seahawks Received
- pick 1977 fourth round pick (#111-Larry Seivers)
Trade Analysis
What the Trade Actually Did
Minnesota acquired wide receiver Ahmad Rashad from Seattle on September 7, 1976, sending a 1977 fourth-round choice in return. The Seahawks used that selection, No. 111 overall, on Notre Dame receiver Larry Seivers. Rashad, who had previously played under the name Bobby Moore, became a central part of the Vikings passing game. Seivers did not play a regular-season game for Seattle and was later traded to Tampa Bay.
Why Minnesota Gets the Edge
Rashad delivered one of the best veteran receiver returns in Vikings history. Over seven seasons in Minnesota he caught 400 passes for 5,489 yards and 34 touchdowns, and he earned four consecutive Pro Bowl selections from 1978 through 1981. He combined reliable possession receiving with major-game production and became a trusted target in an offense transitioning from the late Fran Tarkenton era into the early 1980s. The cost was only a fourth-round pick.
How Seattle’s Return Held Up
The Seahawks at least retained an asset rather than losing Rashad outright, and Seivers was a productive college receiver worthy of a fourth-round selection. But he never developed into an NFL contributor for Seattle. The club later moved him to Tampa Bay, recouping some value from the roster spot, yet none of those steps approached the production Minnesota received from Rashad. This is a case where the veteran’s fit and health dramatically outperformed the modest draft compensation.
Final Verdict
Minnesota earns an A+ because a fourth-round pick produced seven seasons of high-end receiving and four straight Pro Bowls. Seattle receives a C because it received fair-looking draft compensation at the time and later recycled the selected player, but realized little direct football value. The Vikings won overwhelmingly on production, longevity and acquisition cost.