The 4 Best Trade Destinations for Danielle Hunter
Danielle Hunter may or may not play for the Minnesota Vikings in 2023.
The 4 Best Trade Destinations for Danielle Hunter
The 28-year-old wants a contract extension, and it is unclear if the Vikings brass will oblige. On Saturday, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler tweeted, “Sources from multiple teams say the Vikings have been open to trading Pro Bowl DE Danielle Hunter should sides fail to reach an extension. Hunter does not want to play on $4.9M salary, and sides have not made enough progress on a deal.”
So, that’s where we’re at. A coinflip.
And if the Vikings trade Hunter to the highest bidder, these are the four best and most sensible landing spots. They’re listed alphabetically.
1. Baltimore Ravens
Current Starting EDGE Rushers: Odafe Oweh | David Ojabo | Tyus Bowser
Cap Space: $9.3 million
The Vikings and Ravens have done business in the past — rather frequently — and this time, Baltimore could use an extra pass rusher if it’s serious about winning an ultra-competitive AFC North.
Hunter could start immediately (obviously) while Ojabo works his way into a starter’s job. The Ravens ranked 17th last year per pash-rush win rate; adding Hunter would nudge the stat upward.
2. Jacksonville Jaguars
Current Starting EDGE Rushers: Josh Allen | Travon Walker
Cap Space: $18.5 million
This franchise has already been linked to Hunter, if only because of ‘social media follows.’ Hunter follows one other team on Instagram outside of the Vikings — the Jaguars.
The problem, though, is that Jacksonville doesn’t really need an expensive EDGE rusher after Allen and Walker, so onboarding Hunter would be an embarrassment of riches.
Still, there’s evidently some connection between Hunter and Jacksonville, and it makes the list accordingly. The Jaguars also have a prime opportunity to win the AFC South again, with the Indianapolis Colts, Tennessee Titans, and Houston Texans not possessing Super Bowl-caliber rosters. Trading for Hunter would suggest an all-in mentality.
3. Kansas City Chiefs
Current Starting EDGE Rushers: George Karlaftis | Charles Omenihu
Cap Space: $560,000
Frank Clark now plays for the division rival Denver Broncos — yes, he’s formally a turncoat — so the Chiefs will lean into Karlaftis and Omenihu. That could work swimmingly as Patrick Mahomes and Kansas City’s offense hides a lot of sins, but if Hunter is attainable, why not get rich-rich on the depth chart?
Of course, the Chiefs will have to figure out the ‘money part’ to swing a Hunter trade, but dealing with the Chiefs may be one of the only ways the Vikings can acquire a 1st-Rounder in the swap. Why? Well, the Chiefs are virtually guaranteed to have a low-round pick in Round 1 next year, and everyone just knows that.
Minnesota could steal a 1st-Rounder for Hunter, and the Chiefs could get quite affluent via player personnel.
4. New York Giants
Current Starting EDGE Rushers: Kayvon Thibodeaux | Azeez Ojulari
Cap Space: $4.8 million
The connection here is Giants defensive line coach Andre Patterson, who Hunter adores.
The two were employed together in Minnesota for seven seasons, so a reunion would check some boxes. The Giants also got a whiff of playoff success in 2022 — courtesy of the Vikings — so perhaps the time is now to go all in. A Hunter trade would show how serious the Giants really are about contending for the NFC East.
Like the Chiefs, however, New York would have to solve the salary cap equation.
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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