4 Potential Trade Partners for the Vikings in the NFL Draft
Josh Frey
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In his first NFL Draft, Vikings GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah did not shy away from pulling the trigger on multiple trades, even trades within his own division that seemed extremely controversial as they were happening. Because of that, it seems safe to suggest that these draft-day trades may make their return in 2023. With that in mind, let’s evaluate 4 potential trade partners for the Vikings in this year’s NFL Draft.
Houston Texans
Let’s consider for a minute that the Indianapolis Colts trade up to No. 3 for a quarterback, and the Las Vegas Raiders pass the final remaining QB of the consensus top-four at No. 7. If that prospect starts falling down the draft board, perhaps Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and Kevin O’Connell look at each other in the draft room and decide it’s time to pull the trigger on finding a QB of the future.
The Texans likely will have selected a quarterback with the No. 2 pick, but they also own No. 12, which allows the Vikings to jump past the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who could also have their eye on a falling quarterback. In return, Houston gets No. 23 where they can likely select a talented skill position player, and they’d likely get at least another future first out of the deal.
On the other hand, perhaps in this scenario it’s the Texans looking to move back up. Perhaps Houston grabs a QB and WR with the 2nd and 12 picks, but then, they’ve got their eyes on a cornerback or perhaps Bijan Robinson towards the latter half of the first round. Houston owns the 33rd and 65th picks in the draft, so in order to snag their guy, they trade up to 23 while the Vikings snag an additional top-100 pick and move into the early second round.
Indianapolis Colts
If the Vikings are extremely sold on a QB in this draft, and Indy backs up their rumored hesitancies with drafting a quarterback, maybe Minnesota moves up to draft one of the remaining quarterbacks.
That being said, this would take an extreme draft package, likely 3 first-rounders plus other stocking-stuffers, and there is very little evidence to suggest that Minnesota is super sold on one of these early QBs to the point where they’d be motivated to do something like this.
Once again, the best option may be a trade down with the Colts. Indy currently holds the 35th and 79th picks in the draft. Especially if Houston isn’t willing to part with their high-end third-round pick, Indy could be a nice ‘plan B’ for the Vikings in order to snag another Day 2 pick.
New Orleans Saints
If the Vikings don’t want to dip entirely out of the first round, New Orleans become a very interesting option as a trade partner. The Saints are very likely to be looking at a pass-catcher in this draft once again, and just one year ago, we saw them make a move to secure their guy by trading up to pick Chris Olave.
If Mickey Loomis once again has his eye on a particular player, perhaps they’d swing a deal to jump a team like the Giants, who could also be eying a receiver in this class. the 29th and 71st picks might be able to get the deal done.
Philadelphia Eagles
The defending NFC champs hold the 10th and 30th picks in the first round, but they have very few needs that they actually need to fill, especially after finding a way to retain both James Bradberry and Darius Slay at corner. This is probably the other option for Minnesota if they want to trade up to get a QB.
Again, this really only becomes an option if Las Vegas passes on a quarterback at No. 7, and Minnesota beats Tampa Bay to the punch. Regardless, because Philly has a lack of true motivation to remain in the top 10, this might become one of few realistic options for the Vikings to move up.
Josh Frey is a Class of 2020 graduate of The College of Idaho with a bachelor’s degree in Creative Writing. When he’s not writing about the NFL, Josh enjoys running, gaming, or rooting for the Milwaukee Brewers and Bucks. Check out his Twitter account: @Freyed_Chicken.
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