Keep an Eye on the Calendar for Vikings Trades
Dustin Baker
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On August 22nd, 2022, the Minnesota Vikings acquired quarterback Nick Mullens from the Las Vegas Raiders via trade, establishing the veteran passer at QB2 on the roster, as the club later said goodbye to Sean Mannion and Kellen Mond.
Keep an Eye on the Calendar for Vikings Trades
About a week later, general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah fired off trades for Jalen Reagor (WR) from the Philadelphia Eagles, Ross Blacklock (DT) from the Houston Texans, and sent offensive lineman Jesse Davis to the Pittsburgh Steelers for a draft pick.
Of course, just because Adofo-Mensah conducted a trade rampage during his first year at this time on the calendar doesn’t mandate a repeat performance this August. However, if he’s in the mood — like last year — the time is now to explore such deals.
Minnesota won’t need a backup quarterback again; they’re set with Mullens, rookie Jaren Hall, and free-agent newcomer Jordan Ta’amu. So, while one can cross QB off this list, a few other positions could pique the Vikings interest if the trade market is alive and well.
Perhaps at the top of the list, mainly because of limited roster experience, Adofo-Mensah could examine cornerbacks for trade value. The Vikings will jaunt into 2023 in less than three weeks with one of the least experienced CB groups in franchise history. A hodgepodge of Byron Murphy, Akayleb Evans, Mekhi Blackmon, Andrew Booth, and Joejuan Williams is on deck to patrol Minnesota’s secondary at cornerback.
If Adofo-Mensah prefers one more name outside the free-agent pool but inside the trade mill, players like Kristian Fulton (Tennessee Titans), C.J. Henderson (Carolina Panthers), or Amik Robertson (Las Vegas Raiders) could make sense for pricepoint and age.
Meanwhile, Minnesota could also nibble at the defensive tackle market via trade, especially after depth lineman James Lynch was lost for the 2023 season a few weeks ago. For now, it seems like new defensive coordinator Brian Flores will venture into his first Vikings campaign with some combo of Harrison Phillips, Khyiris Tonga, Dean Lowry, and Jonathan Bullard at the position.
At the right price, defenders like Tim Settle (Buffalo Bills), Grover Stewart (Indianapolis Colts), and Milton Williams (Philadelphia Eagles) could check some boxes for a late-summer Vikings trade.
Finally, Adofo-Mensah proved throughout the last couple of weeks his interest in depth running backs. The Vikings have six men attached to the depth chart as of August 21st, including Alexander Mattison, Ty Chandler, Kene Nwangwu, DeWayne McBride, Abram Smith, and Aaron Dykes.
In the last four or so months, Cordarrelle Patterson (Atlanta Falcons) and Clyde Edwards-Helaire, among others, have twisted in the trade rumor mill. Either man could be gettable for low-round draft capital.
Overall, ’tis the season. Adofo-Mensah pulled the trigger — four times — last year amid a nine-day span. He could do it again.
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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