Danielle Hunter Trade Spots from a National Lens
Minnesota Vikings outside linebacker Danielle Hunter reportedly won’t attend mandatory minicamp in Eagan on Tuesday as the defender is seeking a contract extension.
Hunter’s team-friendly deal, signed with former general manager Rick Spielman in 2018, is winding down, and the man wants a contract more aligned with the times.
Danielle Hunter Trade Spots from a National Lens
And if the Vikings aren’t interested in affording Hunter a contract worth $20+ million annually, he could be traded sometime this summer. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported last week, “Here is my understanding of where it stands. Sources say that teams have been calling the Minnesota Vikings regarding Danielle Hunter. He has in fact generated some trade interest.”
Should that theory from Rapoport come to fruition, Bleacher Report nominated trade landing spots for Hunter this week, a few days after VikingsTerritory published a list.
According to Bleacher Report’s Gary Davenport, these are the most likely destinations for Hunter if general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah opts to trade the pass rusher:
- Baltimore Ravens
- Denver Broncos
- Jacksonville Jaguars
- Kansas City Chiefs
- New York Jets
- San Francisco 49ers
Davenport theorized that most teams would donate a 2nd-Round pick and an extra mid-rounder for Hunter and a Vikings 6th-Rounder if the deal is executed. He almost mentioned the Broncos sending EDGE Baron Browning and a 3rd-Rounder to Minnesota for Hunter.
In contrast to the Bleacher Report list, this was VikingsTerritory’s ledger of trade spots:
- Baltimore Ravens
- Kansas City Chiefs
- New York Giants
- New York Jets
- Washington Commanders
Davenport, too, interestingly linked the Vikings and Hunter to the 49ers for quarterback Trey Lance and a 4th-Round pick. He explained, “The San Francisco 49ers made it within a game of the Super Bowl again last year, but Trey Lance had little to do with that success. In fact, the prevailing opinion appears to be that once Brock Purdy’s elbow is healthy, he will again start for the Niners.”
Lance has been attached to the Vikings rumor mill off and on for most of the offseason.
“Assuming Kevin O’ Connell believes he can turn Lance around, a Vikings team that appears to be rebuilding on the fly could get a successor to Kirk Cousins, who will be a free agent in 2024—a successor under team control through 2026 at a reasonable (for a quarterback) salary,” Davenport concluded.
Hunter totaled 65 total tackles, 12 tackles for loss, 10.5 sacks, 3 passes defended, and 1 forced fumble in 2022, his first season inside a 3-4 defense.
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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