Oct 31, 2022; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Browns cornerback Greg Newsome II (20) looks on before the game against the Cincinnati Bengals at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Dermer-USA TODAY Sports.
The Minnesota Vikings conducted a low-risk trade for running back Cam Akers on Tuesday evening, sending a conditional 6th-Rounder to the Houston Texans for Akers and a conditional 7th-Round pick.
And with the league’s trade deadline still 20 days away, more trades could be afoot.
So, these are four realistic candidates for the purple team after the Akers acquisition, ranked in ascending order (No. 1 = the most realistic target).
Before the world figured out that Jalen Nailor was pretty decent, Burks-to-Vikings acted as a summer trade theory. But nothing came to fruition.
In 2024, Burks has been targeted 8 times in 4 games, so the Titans still aren’t using him. Not long ago, Burks was a 2nd-Round pick stuffed to the gills with potential. If the Vikings were interested, he could probably be acquired for a 7th-Round pick.
And why not? He’s not really playing in Tennessee.
Theoretical Trade Price: Conditional 6th or 7th-Rounder
Bleacher Report plopped Newsome II, a 2021 1st-Rounder, in the trade rumor mill this week following the Browns’ horrid start to 2024.
“The Browns certainly appear headed toward another rebuild, and this could be a particularly painful one,” BR’s Kristopher Knox opined. “The trade for Deshaun Watson is an ongoing disaster, and Cleveland is tied to him for another two-plus years — his fully guaranteed contract includes a $72.9 million cap hit in each of the next two seasons. Cleveland may have to tear everything down and rebuild on the cheap, which is why cornerback Greg Newsome II is a viable trade candidate.”
Minnesota has Stephon Gilmore, Byron Murphy, and Shaquill Griffin as starting cornerbacks on the roster right now, but Newsome II would provide a youth movement. He’s 24.
His 2024 campaign is not to die for, but his previous seasons indicate he has the DNA to perform well in the NFL.
Theoretical Trade Price: 2026 4th-Rounder
Thielen injured his hamstring a couple of weeks ago and is currently mending. When he returns in a few weeks — conveniently around the trade deadline — his team could be in full selling mode.
Minnesota could acquire Thielen for a 7th-Rounder and fold him into the offense as the WR3. Then, Thielen could be a part of the impending playoff push. It kind of feels like he deserves it.
No Vikings fan would decry the trade. No one.
Theoretical Trade Price: Conditional 7th-Rounder
VikingsTerritory’s Josh Frey recently wrote about a hypothetical Jones trade: “Jonathan Jones has a Brian Flores connection and plenty of playoff experience in New England. Now at 31 years old, he likely isn’t part of the future plans for the Patriots, and now could be the time to deal the veteran CB. Why not to a sudden Super Bowl contender so Jones can chase one more ring?”
The Brian Flores connection is the key here. If the Vikings want CB depth, this is the guy. The Patriots could hold some semblance of a fire sale near the end of the month.
Remember, too, Minnesota is one CB injury away from an Aaron Jones + Cam Akers-like situation — needing depth to peace of mind.
Theoretical Trade Price: 2025 6th-Rounder
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.