5 Players Vikings Could Target with 1st-Round Trade
Jack Day
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The NFL Draft is quickly approaching, and the rumors across the league are beginning to swirl. There is no consensus as to what will happen in the first round, so this year’s draft is shaping up to be one of the more interesting in recent memory.
If we want to talk about the unknown, new Vikings GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah hasn’t shown his cards ahead of his first time drafting in the role. This leaves even more questions for Minnesota’s fanbase as the new regime gears up for an eventful week.
One rumor that came out revolves around the Vikings trading back, which is starting to seem more likely every day. If players like Derek Stingley, Kyle Hamilton, Ahmad Gardner, and Kayvon Thibodeaux are all off the board at 12, forcing a pick would seem like the wrong decision.
Picking up additional value on Day Two or assets in the 2023 NFL Draft would outweigh the talent still on the board at 12 if the aforementioned players have already been selected. Plus, there would still be plenty of talent to choose from in the late teens or early 20s, and there are oodles of value between the second and third round.
Here are five players the Vikings could target if they decide to make some phone calls to trade out of the 12th spot on Thursday night:
Trent McDuffie (CB) Washington
This could be in play when the Vikings are on the clock at 12, but there’s a chance they could trade back a few spots and still land a solid cornerback in the early-to-late teens.
McDuffie has some entertaining film, and I have him ranked as the third cornerback in this class behind Gardner and Stingley. Some are worried about his lack of arm length, but the play he’s put on the field should outweigh the issue.
He brings a scrappy attitude to the secondary, something the Vikings desperately need. The physicality McDuffie displays in the run game gives me flashbacks of Antoine Winfield for the Vikings. On top of effectiveness via run support, he earned the nickname “McDuffie Island” at Washington while being a true lock-down cornerback in the PAC 12.
Andrew Booth Jr. (CB) Clemson
Again, I truly believe the cornerback position is still the most significant area of need, even after bringing back Patrick Peterson. Finding a player at the position that defensive coordinator Ed Donatell can trust will be a vital aspect of the draft.
Andrew Booth Jr. is another physical cornerback who played his collegiate years at the University of Clemson. I have McDuffie ranked slightly higher than Booth, but I think there’s more upside to Booth’s game.
He plays tight in coverage, has solid ball skills, and is at his best in man-to-man. The willingness in the run game is fun to watch in his film, and he doesn’t shy away from the big hits. He has a little bit more size than McDuffie and would likely be there for the Vikings in the late teens or early 20s. More draft capital combined with a player like Booth would be a day one win for the new front office.
Chris Olave (WR) Ohio State
The wide receiver position seems to be another polarizing issue for the Vikings fan base. It feels like you either have to be on “Team: draft a guard” or “Team: draft a receiver,” and I’d say I lean towards the ladder.
There is decent depth in the wide receiver class, but the top-end talent has way more upside. If the Vikings could find another Justin Jefferson-type player, it would make the offense explode, and Ohio State WR Chris Olave has that potential.
Crafty wide receivers often find success at the next level due to their elite route running. Olave is the best route-runner in this class, and pairing him with Adam Thielen and Jefferson could lead to the best route running group across the NFL.
Daxton Hill (S) Michigan
One of my favorite players in this entire class, Daxton Hill would offer supreme versatility in the Vikings secondary. He could play a deep safety role for the Vikings opposite Harrison Smith, or he can come up and play the nickel position.
Hill plays the game with a perfect blend of speed and physicality. He also has the awareness to make plays like the one above.
Donatell’s 3-4 style defense requires players with speed, physicality, and versatility. Hill is one of the best bang-for-your-buck guys in this entire class, and he possesses all three of these important traits.
Boye Mafe (EDGE) Minnesota
Earlier in the week, a trade idea circulated around the Vikings and the Kansas City Chiefs, a team holding picks 29 and 30 in the first round. I personally wouldn’t love taking Boye Mafe anywhere before that, but he should be a name to monitor if the Vikings do trade back that far.
As pictured above, Mafe is an elite athlete for the edge position. Although he is a bit raw, he fits the 3-4 scheme and would be able to learn behind two solid pass rushers in Danielle Hunter and Za’Darius Smith.
Hunter’s success in Minnesota could help persuade teams on Mafe, as it proves taking shots on elite athletes has paid off at the position in years past.
There are only a few days left before NFL fans hear the beautiful draft jingle and roaring boos for the commissioner. With the new regime ready to make its impact in Minnesota and a draft revolving around uncertainty, Vikings fans should buckle up for a fun ride.
Jack Day is a Senior Writer for VikingsTerritory. He has spent time writing for KFAN.com, Vikings Wire, and working for the Vikings. He also co-hosts the original Vikings Territory podcast @LTBVikings. You can follow him on Twitter @Jack_H_Day.
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