Vikings Should Inquire about Former No. 2 Overall Pick
Dustin Baker
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Suddenly, the Minnesota Vikings have the opportunity to become buyers, not sellers, at the NFL’s trade deadline in five days.
Vikings Should Inquire about Former No. 2 Overall Pick
Minnesota beat the San Francisco 49ers on Monday Night Football, an out-of-nowhere victory that placed the purple team in the driver’s seat for a playoff berth. The Vikings own the NFC’s eighth seed at the moment and can climb to No. 7 with a Tampa Bay Buccaneers loss on Thursday Night Football to the Buffalo Bills and a Vikings win over the Green Bay Packers on Sunday.
And if Minnesota hits a 4-4 record by next Monday or feels like it can still contend at 3-5 after a loss, it can get frisky and inquire about Washington Commanders pass rusher Chase Young.
Young is firmly situated in the NFL’s trade rumor mill and could be gettable by a contending team on or before Halloween. In April, Washington declined Young’s fifth-year rookie contract option, setting up a pivotal 2024 climax.
Yet, for the right price, a team can take the plunge on Young now before the trade deadline and make the decision on his future — probably a contract extension — when the 2023 season ends.
Young was the second overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, the same event that netted Justin Jefferson for the Vikings. In four seasons, Young has played in 33 games, starting 31, and has recorded 26 QB hits, 19 tackles for loss, 14 sacks, and 6 forced fumbles. He’s battled injuries along the way, so his trade value isn’t quite as high as most onlookers might surmise.
Bleacher Report‘s Jordan Schultz recently mentioned that Washington’s asking price for Young would be a 2nd- or 3rd-Rounder, and if that is accurate, the Vikings and several NFL teams should think about taking the plunge. The man has the talent, and the upside is worth it.
One year ago, Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah concocted a trade sending a 2nd-Round pick and 3rd-Rounder to the Detroit Lions for T.J. Hockenson and a pair of 4th-Round selections. That trade was successful beyond the shadow of a doubt, and with that transaction in his recent memory, the young executive could be tempted to hit the wishing well once again.
What’s more, the Vikings are without EDGE rusher Marcus Davenport for at least three more games. Minnesota also has no outside linebackers other than Patrick Jones and Andre Carter under contract beyond this season. Adding Young would satisfy Minnesota’s “competitive rebuild” mantra, even if the current season didn’t amount to much.
The Vikings defense ranks 15th per DVOA through seven weeks, a group improving on the fly, week by week. Young would serve as a youthful defensive injection, not unlike Hockenson on offense in 2022.
It seems weird after a 1-4 start, but the Vikings would become buyers in the next few days, and Young should be on the team’s radar if so.
He’s 24 years old.
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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