Originally drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals with the fourth overall pick of the 1972 NFL Draft, Rashad was traded to Buffalo in 1974. He missed all of 1975 with a knee injury and was selected by the Seattle Seahawks in the 1976 expansion draft. Rashad was acquired by the Vikings just before the 1976 season, and his career flourished in Minnesota.

A hallmark of consistency, Rashad caught at least 50 passes and totaled more than 670 yards every season from 1976-81.

Rashad totaled 400 receptions for 5,489 yards and 34 touchdowns in seven seasons with the Vikings. He became the first Vikings receiver with consecutive seasons of more than 1,000 receiving yards (1979-80) and was selected to four straight Pro Bowls (1978-81).