One Big Vikings Trade Theory Is Still Alive
Believe it or not, more Minnesota Vikings trade theories exist than those regarding draft picks and quarterbacks.
One Big Vikings Trade Theory Is Still Alive
After Kwesi Adofo-Mensah fired off Friday’s swap with the Houston Texans, all attention pivoted to a probable next trade onto the draftboard’s Top 5 and presumably for a quarterback after Kirk Cousins’ departure.
But don’t forget about Kansas City Chiefs cornerback L’Jarius Sneed. That one is apparently still in play, too.
Sports Illustrated‘s Albert Breer wrote this week about the Sneed sweepstakes, “the Vikings, Detroit Lions, and Indianapolis Colts were the three teams in early on him. I’d say Detroit is less likely now after the trade for Carlton Davis, but the other two are lingering in the picture, and there’s no real urgency now to get something done.”
Most Vikings fans abandoned Sneed trade talk after Adofo-Mensah pulled off the aforementioned trade last week, sending two 2nd-Round picks to Houston for the Texans’ 2024 1st-Rounder (Pick No. 23) and a late-round pick swap. If the Vikings wanted Sneed, well, they probably would’ve used the ammunition from the deal with the Texans to get him directly from Kansas City.
To an extent, the Breer reporting walks that back, at least a little bit.
It is unclear how Minnesota could still swing a deal for Sneed; it won’t be easy without a 2nd-Round pick for the next two years. Yet, Adofo-Mensah loves to wheel and deal, so if there’s a will, there’s a way. That’s how the idea would have to go, anyway.
Sneed was scheduled to become a free agent this offseason, but Kansas City applied the franchise tag and could seek to trade the young cornerback. He hasn’t banked Pro Bowl or All-Pro kudos yet but probably should have in 2023. He fired up an incredible 56.2 passer-rating-against last year while his team won the Super Bowl, too. He was a 4th-Rounder from the 2020 NFL Draft and turned 27 in January.
The trade pricetag for Sneed? Probably a 2nd-Rounder and change. However, a late 1st-Rounder could be in play if a bidding war emerges. Whichever team lands Sneed will likely have to pay around $20 million per season. His contract demands won’t be cheap.
Here’s his Pro Football Focus resume to date:
- 2020: 72.9
- 2021: 64.1
- 2022: 76.1
- 2023: 71.1
Earlier this month — before the Vikings-Texans deal — USA Today’s Tyler Dragon wrote, “As expected, the Kansas City Chiefs officially placed the franchise tag on cornerback L’Jarius Sneed. Sneed still has permission to seek a trade despite the designation. A person with direct knowledge of the situation told USA TODAY Sports that the Minnesota Vikings, Indianapolis Colts, Tennessee Titans, New England Patriots, Detroit Lions, Atlanta Falcons and Jacksonville Jaguars have expressed interest in the Chiefs corner. The person told USA TODAY Sports on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the situation.”
While Sneed to Minnesota is probably unlikely on the whole, there’s still a heartbeat if Breer’s reporting is correct.
The Vikings ranked 32nd in the NFL last year per completion percentage allowed.
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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