Danielle Hunter’s Trade Value Is Established
Mitchel Massman
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The Vikings are considering trading veteran players. While it has not been reported that Danielle Hunter would be part of one of these trades, it’s always possible.
When it comes to high-profile trading players, teams will always say they are not considering trading them. However, if a deal comes along that is too good to pass up, the team will take it.
Considering that the Wilfs have said they do not want a rebuild, it is unlikely a move like trading Hunter will happen. In fact, it would be downright foolish. Even a team that wants to rebuild needs a core group of players to build around. Danielle Hunter is one of those players.
Hunter is 28 years old and still has several years of high-level play in him. While he has had a couple of injuries over the last two years, the injuries were not related. That said, the Vikings have new leadership in the building, who will be considering how to create a winning culture for years to come. This means making decisions that might negatively impact the team now for the long-term health of the organization.
If the Vikings wanted to trade Danielle Hunter, what would they get for him?
Recent EDGE Rusher Trades
To determine a real trade value for Hunter, we need to evaluate recent trades. We also need to take into consideration his contract and injury history. Another thing to consider is the supply and demand of elite-level EDGE rushers, which is undoubtedly Hunter.
Today, the Bears traded away star EDGE rusher Khalil Mack for a 2nd rounder this year and 6th rounder next year:
While on the surface, it appears that Danielle Hunter is worth at least this much in trade. However, Hunter’s contract is much more team-friendly than Mack’s contract. The Chargers cap hits:
$17.75 million in 2022
$22.9 million in 2023
$23.25 million in 2024
Although there is no guaranteed money left on Mack’s contract, it is certainly worse than Hunter’s.
Danielle Hunter’s contract has two years remaining with an additional two void years. His cap hit is
$26.1 million in 2022
$8.6 million in 2023
$2.2 million in 2024 (void years)
This is easy for a potential trade partner to restructure or extend. Mack is also 31 compared to Hunter, who is 28, and both of them have had their injuries over the years.
With this in mind, an EDGE-desperate team, like the Texans, could offer a 2nd and 4th round this year. Whether this is enough compensation for the Vikings to move on from a star player like Hunter is debatable.
Should the Vikings Trade Hunter?
Ok, let’s make one thing clear. The Vikings should absolutely not trade Hunter. He is a cornerpiece of the franchise and a player to build around. If he was 30 or 31, then yes, maybe they try to trade him to a needy team. However, with the way Hunter’s contract is set up, the team can easily create space without trading him.
Instead, it makes more sense to target an EDGE rusher in free agency or the draft to create a dual-threat pass rush. A player to look at in free agency is Za’Darius Smith, who might be a cap causality in Green Bay. A first-round pick of David Ojabo or Jermaine Johnson would be an ideal fit for the Vikings.
However, if a team comes in and offers a 1st and 3rd round pick for Hunter, does Kwesi pass on the deal?
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