Dec 4, 2022; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings linebacker Brian Asamoah II (33) leaps over the celebration pile late during the fourth quarter after an interception by safety Camryn Bynum (24) off New York Jets quarterback Mike White (5) sealed the victory at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports.
The Minnesota Vikings have a 5-2 record through eight weeks and may become buyers at the trade deadline.
But what if they sell a few players to accumulate lost draft capital for next April? The 2025 draft capital piggybank is slim.
These are four possible outgoing trade candidates for the Vikings, ranked in ascending order (No. 1 = the likeliest tradable asset).
Safety is arguably the Vikings’ deepest position, showcasing Harrison Smith, Josh Metellus, Camryn Bynum, Theo Jackson, and Jay Ward.
Unless Bynum skips town via free agency next March, Ward’s path to playing time is scant. The club also loves Theo Jackson, and he could experience an enhanced role when Harrison Smith retires.
Like all players on this list, Minnesota might be able to move Ward for a late-round pick.
Evans doesn’t play on defense because Stephon Gilmore, Byron Murphy, and Shaquill Griffin have solidified those jobs. And then, when he does play, it’s a special teams assignment, with Evans usually standing out because of a gaffe.
Some general manager, though, could employ Evans as a CB3 rather than his CB4 status with the Vikings. Like all candidates on this list, he won’t fetch much trade capital, but every little bit helps.
Asamoah, a 3rd-Round linebacker, doesn’t play on defense. He was drafted 2.5 years ago with the vision of perhaps taking over a starter’s role, but Ivan Pace Jr. suppressed that plan in 2023.
Then, when Pace Jr. missed two games with an injury this season, Kamu Grugier-Hill — not Asamoah — filled the open job. The same thing happened last year when Troy Dye saw action amid Jordan Hicks’ absence.
Minnesota could ship Asamoah elsewhere for a conditional 7th-Rounder.
In a contract year, Jones II started the season hot, logging 5 sacks in 7 games while playing about half the time on defense. And that’s on a defensive roster that showcases Jonathan Greenard, Andrew Van Ginkel, and Dallas Turner at the top of the ticket.
Jones II will hit free agency in five months if not re-signed by the Vikings, and if the club has no plans for a second contract, he could be traded at the deadline to an EDGE-needy team. See: the Ezra Cleveland trade last year.
Minnesota would likely get a 6th-Rounder for his services, which is somewhat notable, considering the purple team’s lack of draft capital in 2025. An organization might be interested in a player with 5 sacks in 7 games.
Remember — contending football teams love to stock up on the pass rush at the trade deadline.
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.