FormerMinnesota Vikings wide receiver Percy Harvin Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports

How dynamic was Percy Harvin?

The Minnesota Vikings have had some great playmakers in their franchise's history. From the likes of Cris Carter and Randy Moss to Adrian Peterson and, more recently, Dalvin Cook, Minnesota has had some elite skill-position players. One of the more underrated players in the team's history was wide receiver and return man Percy Harvin. Harvin spent four seasons of his eight-year career in Minnesota (2009-2012). In those four seasons, he was a dangerous threat whenever he touched the ball.

After being selected in the first round back in 2009 by the Vikings, he was a big-time playmaker. As a rookie, the former Florida Gator caught 60 passes for 790 yards and six touchdowns. He also rushed for 135 yards on only 15 carries. On special teams, Harvin brought back two kicks for touchdowns. He earned Pro Bowl honors that season and was also named the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year. Perhaps his most dominant season came in 2011. The Virginia native caught a career-high 87 passes for a career-high 967 receiving yards and six touchdowns (tied career-high). He also rushed for a career-high 345 yards and a career-high two rushing touchdowns. He brought back another touchdown on a kickoff return too. Standing at 5-11 and weighing roughly 190 lbs, Harvin was a smaller player, which allowed him to be extremely shifty and quick against defenders when in close quarters. He had 4.4 speed (40-yard dash) but played even faster on the field.

The former national champion would go on to play for the Seattle Seahawks, New York Jets and Buffalo Bills. Harvin finished his career with over 4,000 receiving yards, over 4,000 kick return yards, and close to 1,000 rushing yards. In Super Bowl XLVIII with the Seahawks, Harvin would return a kick back for a touchdown in the team's victory over the Denver Broncos. The former All-American would retire after 2016. He had a shorter career than most expected due to injuries. But, he was an all-purpose machine that made elite plays with the ball in his hands, especially in Minnesota early on.   

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