Bleacher Report Floats Sweet Trade Idea for Vikings
The Minnesota Vikings don’t have too much draft capital available to swing fancy trades during the offseason’s remainder, but if Bleacher Report‘s latest and greatest theory is anywhere close to grounded in reality, the purple team should pounce.
Bleacher Report Floats Sweet Trade Idea for Vikings
BR’s Alex Kay sized up five theoretical trades around the NFL this week, and the Vikings were included, spitballed as a landing spot for Tennessee Titans wide receiver Treylon Burks — for the price of a 7th-Round pick.
To which all Vikings fans would say, “Yes, please.”
The Titans enriched their WR corps this offseason, adding Calvin Ridley and Tyler Boyd from free agency while retaining DeAndre Hopkins in 2024. In theory, Burks could be the odd man out or fail to earn ample attention in the team’s passing game. Even since Boyd joined the Titans last week, Burks has been whispered in the trade rumor mill, which is now evidently a Vikings-themed ordeal.
Kay explained Burks to Minnesota, “Treylon Burks could be the high-upside talent the Vikings need to reinforce their receiving corps at low cost. Burks could be available, especially after the Tennessee Titans—the club that selected Boyd on Day 1 of the 2022 draft—brought in Tyler Boyd to fill their slot receiver role. With a logjam of receiving talent now in the Music City, Burks looks to be the odd man out following a slow start to his NFL career.”
The price is the most fascinating aspect. Why? Well, sending a 7th-Rounder anywhere is essentially a free trade. Men from that round almost never pan out in the NFL, so Minnesota would be finagling a risk-free arrangement if general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah could pull off the deal.
“Although Burks hasn’t produced much in his two seasons (he’s only reeled in 49 receptions for 665 yards and one score across 22 games) he has dealt with injuries, poor quarterback play and a run-heavy system that have all hindered his development. He still has a high ceiling due to his size, strength, athleticism and versatility — traits that could allow him to shine while manning the slot in the Twin Cities,” Kay concluded.
Burks was highly-regarded entering the NFL two years ago, a 1st-Rounder in 2022 obtained by Tennessee with the 18th overall pick. However, due to injury and poor quarterback play, Burks has not busted out into stardom, producing the 665 yards in two seasons mentioned by Kay.
In Minnesota, though, Burks would blend beautifully as “the other target” after Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison. His presence on the depth chart would also end the current WR3 debate among Vikings fans, as Brandon Powell, Jalen Nailor, and Trent Sherfield are on tap for a summer camp battle at the spot.
It’s unclear if Burks is gettable for a throwaway draft pick, but if so, Adofo-Mensah should absolutely pounce. With no hesitation.
Burks turned 24 in March.
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 MIN 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.
You must be logged in to post a comment.