Sep 17, 2023; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee Titans defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons (98) during player introductions before the game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports.
The Minnesota Vikings possess a 3-0 record heading into Week 4, an unanticipated standing for Kevin O’Connell’s team. It was supposed to win six or seven games in 2024.
And suddenly, Minnesota can be perceived as a trade buyer — not a seller — with the league’s trade deadline about five weeks away.
Although Minnesota has limited draft capital for trades, these men are still attainable, at least in theory. They’re ranked in ascending order (No. 1 = top trade target).
Current Team: Denver Broncos
Possible Trade Cost: 5th-Rounder
Sutton has circulated the trade rumor mill since Sean Payton arrived in Denver, and if the Broncos’ season swirls down the toilet, they could sell some assets to prepare for 2025 and beyond.
He still receives about 9 targets per game in Denver, so it’s not like Sutton is getting wasted on the bench or anything of the sort. However, general manager George Paton drafted Troy Franklin in April, and he could be on the menu for more offensive attention.
If the Vikings decide they’re bonafide Super Bowl contenders, adding Sutton would check out, particularly if Jordan Addison faces a midseason suspension.
Current Team: Carolina Panthers
Possible Trade Cost: 6th- or 7th-Rounder
This man joined the NFL as an undrafted free agent in 2022 with the Tennessee Titans. He found his way to Carolina this offseason via free agency and is starting to accrue some playing time with the Panthers.
He’s responsible for a 70.2 Pro Football Focus grade so far this season, ranking 15th of 117 qualifying interior defensive linemen. Peevy could be the cheapest on this list because he’s relatively unknown and is not yet a starter in Carolina.
Current Team: Tennessee Titans
Possible Trade Cost: 6th-Rounder
Speed isn’t a key factor in Hopkins’ skill set these days, but his hands remain close to flawless. Tennessee owns a bottom-dwelling o-3 record, and a fire sale could be around the bend.
Minnesota does not need more wide receivers after Jalen Nailor has broken out into prominence. However, as mentioned above, an Addison suspension might change the state of play. Sending a late-rounder to Tennessee for a Hopkins could strengthen a playoff push.
Current Team: Tennessee Titans
Possible Trade Cost: 2026 3rd-Rounder
The Titans extended Simmons’ contract in the summer of 2023, and he may not be itching to depart. Still, his guaranteed money dries up next season, and if Tennessee launches into a seller’s mode, teams will call about Simmons.
Tennessee would also have to swallow $14 million in dead cap next season by trading Simmons, so this one could be a pipe dream, generally speaking. It’s just that deals can get wacky at the trade deadline. This is the official Simmons mention.
Simmons just turned 27 and could stick around with the Vikings for years if Kwesi Adofo-Mensah conducted a deal with his former coworker Ran Carthon, the Titans’ general manager.
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.