Nov 27, 2022; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Browns wide receiver Amari Cooper (2) makes a first down reception against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during overtime at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Galvin-USA TODAY Sports.
The following questions are about current Minnesota Vikings topics, answered by VikingsTerritory. Today is the October 11th edition, addressed in a from-the-hip fashion. If you have questions, please email them to DustinBakerNFL@gmail.com.
Also, please note: These are opinion-based responses. Some answers will be incorrect from time to time. But we’ll try to keep that to a minimum.
Answer: Yes.
Remember, the Browns acquired Cooper for a 5th-Rounder from the Dallas Cowboys 2.5 years ago, and he was a younger wideout then, closer to his prime. There’s no reason to believe that he’d be much more expensive this time. Of course, if the Browns win their next couple of ballgames before the trade deadline on November 5th, that could change the Cooper trade sweepstakes.
The Vikings have a couple of 5th-Rounders in addition to their 1st. A deal for Cooper can be realistic if the Browns put him on the block.
Cooper would then ensure Minnesota’s offense was injury-proof.
It’s also worth noting that the Browns are general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah’s former employer. He should know their front office quite well.
Answer: Yes, but it depends on the player. For this question, we’d have to know his identity first.
If it were Dexter Lawrence, great — yes, let’s do it. Other possibilities would be addressed per trade, at least in our opinion.
Minnesota’s draft pick is likely to be in the 20s, and when the season started, most believed it would be a Top 15 pick. This one boils down to whether the Vikings front office and coaching staff think they’re genuine Super Bowl contenders. They probably do.
We’d trade the 1st-Round pick for a player of Dexter Lawrence’s caliber and youth (26 years old). That’s for sure.
Answer: Yes.
Thielen is injured right now but should conveniently return right before or around the league’s trade deadline. He’ll be even more affordable than Cooper listed above, probably gettable for a conditional 6th- or 7th-Round pick.
Thielen could fit nicely as Minnesota’s WR3 or WR4 during the stretch run in 2024. No one would dislike the trade.
Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. The show features guests, analysis, and opinion on all things related to the purple team, with 4-7 episodes per week. His MIN obsession dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ Basset Hounds, and The Doors (the band). He follows the NBA as closely as the NFL.
All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.