ESPN Unveils Latest Danielle Hunter Trade Theory
The Minnesota Vikings have 12 days to decide if they’re buyers, sellers, or nothing at all approaching the NFL’s Halloween trade deadline.
The purple team has a 2-4 record through six weeks, with matchups against the San Francisco 49ers and Green Bay Packers before October 31st. The win-loss outcome of the next two games may determine the Vikings buy-or-sell intentions.
ESPN Unveils Latest Danielle Hunter Trade Theory
And if Minnesota opts for the seller option, mailing away assets for draft capital, many believe EDGE rusher Danielle Hunter will be at the front of the line.
To date, the Jacksonville Jaguars have been the most popular trade destination for the 28-year-old, at least in theory, but this week, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler named a new landing spot — the Las Vegas Raiders.
Fowler predicted, “The Raiders acquire Vikings pass-rusher Danielle Hunter for a Day 2 draft pick. Hunter is on a tear with eight sacks through six games and would have a strong market. With Minnesota in a competitive rebuild at 2-4, it’s worth wondering whether it would be willing to deal — though Hunter might be the team’s best healthy player right now.”
Hunter leads the NFL in sacks and tackles for loss heading into Week 7.
“But the Vikings explored trade options with Hunter before he signed a one-year, $17 million bridge deal that includes $10 million in base salary, a tradeable bottom line for a player of his caliber,” Fowler added.
The Raiders have a 3-3 record through Week 6, precisely on the cusp of pushing for the postseason or tumbling into irrelevance. Trading for Hunter would evidently signal an all-in mindset for Las Vegas.
“The Raiders are hanging tight on defense, ranking 11th in total defense (315.5 yards allowed per game), and could use another rusher opposite Maxx Crosby to stabilize things. Las Vegas has 13 sacks through six games, and 5.5 of them belong to Crosby,” Fowler concluded.
Las Vegas’ defense ranks 23rd leaguewide at the moment per DVOA, so in that vein, it adds up that Josh McDaniels’ club would pursue a ferocious pass rusher. Too, Fowler’s trade compensation package for Hunter is probably fair — a 2nd-Rounder and change might do the trick if the Vikings are indeed in the mood to sell assets. Although, some Vikings fans remain convinced that Hunter will fetch a 1st-Rounder.
The Vikings completed a trade in 2022 with the Raiders, netting QB2 Nick Mullens for a conditional 7th-Round draft pick.
If the Vikings traded Hunter anywhere, they’d be down to crumbs for pass-rushing commodities. Outside linebacker Marcus Davenport was placed on injured reserve Wednesday and will miss at least the next four games.
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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,’ Basset Hounds, and The Doors (the band).
All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.
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