5 Most Likely Trade Partners for Vikings in Round 1 of Draft
Minnesota Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah traded more than any person during the 2022 NFL draft, and he’s probably going to do it again at the end of April.
The Vikings have just five draft picks, but fans should expect Adofo-Mensah to move and shake once again — perhaps up the board this time if he and head coach Kevin O’Connell have identified the quarterback for life after Kirk Cousins.
5 Most Likely Trade Partners for Vikings in Round 1 of Draft
Regarding the Vikings No. 23 pick, these are the teams most likely to trade with Adofo-Mensah on draft night.
1. Arizona Cardinals
What the Vikings Want: A QB for life after Kirk Cousins
What the Vikings Get: The 3rd overall pick in 2023 + a 5th-Rounder
What the Vikings Give: The 2023 1st-Rounder, a 2024 1st-Rounder, a 2025 1st-Rounder
Why the Vikings Make the Trade: If the Vikings have already identified one of these men — C.J. Stroud, Bryce Young, Will Levis, or Anthony Richardson — as their undisputed QB of the future, they might have to trade as high as the Cardinals spot if “their guy” falls to No. 3.
2. Detroit Lions
What the Vikings Want: A QB for life after Kirk Cousins
What the Vikings Get: The 6th overall pick in 2023 + a 5th-Rounder
What the Vikings Give: The 2023 1st-Rounder, a 2024 1st-Rounder, a 2023 3rd-Rounder
Why the Vikings Make the Trade: If the Vikings have already identified one of these men — C.J. Stroud, Bryce Young, Will Levis, or Anthony Richardson — as their undisputed QB of the future and that man falls to the Lions spot at No. 6, they can trade in front of the Las Vegas Raiders to draft him.
3. Philadelphia Eagles
What the Vikings Want: A QB for life after Kirk Cousins
What the Vikings Get: The 10th overall pick in 2023
What the Vikings Give: The 2023 1st-Rounder and a 2024 1st-Rounder
Why the Vikings Make the Trade: If the Vikings have already identified one of these men — C.J. Stroud, Bryce Young, Will Levis, or Anthony Richardson — as their undisputed QB of the future and that man falls to the Eagles spot at No. 10, they can trade in front of the Tennesee Titans to draft him.
4. Kansas City Chiefs
What the Vikings Want: A stockpile of draft assets by trading back
What the Vikings Get: The 31st overall pick (1st Round) and 63rd pick (2nd Round)
What the Vikings Give: The 23rd overall pick (1st Round) and 119th pick (4th Round)
Why the Vikings Make the Trade: The Vikings replicate the 2022 strategy used to draft Lewis Cine, Andrew Booth, Ed Ingram, and Brian Asamoah — trading back for more early-to-mid-round lottery tickets. Adofo-Mensah likely drafts a WR and CB with the first two picks.
5. Pittsburgh Steelers
What the Vikings Want: A stockpile of draft assets by trading back
What the Vikings Get: The 33rd overall pick (Round 2), 49th pick (Round 2)
What the Vikings Give: The 23rd overall pick (1st Round) and 87th pick (Round 3)
Why the Vikings Make the Trade: The Vikings replicate the 2022 strategy used to draft Lewis Cine, Andrew Booth, Ed Ingram, and Brian Asamoah — trading back for more early-to-mid-round lottery tickets. Adofo-Mensah likely drafts a WR and CB with the first two picks.
Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. He hosts a podcast with Bryant McKinnie, which airs every Wednesday with Raun Sawh and Sal Spice. His Vikings obsession dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ and The Doors (the band).
All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.
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