In today's Rewarding Moments In Redskins History presented by Maryland Lottery My Lottery Rewards, we look back at when the Redskins traded for Santana Moss on March 10, 2005.
Before Santana Moss became one of the better receivers in Washington Redskins history, he spent his first four seasons with the New York Jets.
The 16th-overall pick in the 2001 draft, Moss did not make an immediate impact at the professional level. In fact, over his first two years, he started just three games and totaled a combined 32 receptions for 473 yards and four touchdowns.
But over the next two seasons, Moss thrived. He posted a 74-catch, 1,105-yard campaign in 2003 and found the end zone 10 times, then compiled 838 yards and five touchdowns the next season. After a quiet start to his career, Moss was one his way to becoming the Jets' No. 1 receiver.
But following the 2004 season, the Jets traded Moss to the Redskins for fellow wide receiver Laveranues Coles, who was coming off two 950-plus-yard seasons in the nation's capital. The transaction occurred on March 12, 2005, and about two months later, Moss signed a six-year contract with Washington.
Acquiring Moss turned out to be one of the best trades in franchise history. In his first season donning the burgundy and gold, Moss set a single-season franchise record with 1,483 receiving yards on 84 receptions and scored nine touchdowns. Unsurprisingly, Moss made the 2005 Pro Bowl and was named a second-team All-Pro.
From 2005-10, Moss averaged 74 catches for more than 1,000 yards. He eclipsed the 1,000-yard threshold three times, including in 2010 when he amassed 1,115 yards on 93 receptions -- still the third-highest single-season total in Redskins history.
In 10 seasons with the Redskins, Moss finished third in franchise history in receptions (581), fourth in receiving yards (7,867) and fourth in touchdowns (47).
