7 Summer Trade Ideas for the Vikings

Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports.

VikingsTerritory writers were asked to provide one trade theory apiece for the Minnesota Vikings. They were instructed to send a player elsewhere or welcome an outsider to the team — either a specific player or position.

Most writers came up with a different selection, sans the bottom few on the list.

7 Summer Trade Ideas for the Vikings

The regular season is 106 days away. Minnesota has limited draft capital to trade for incoming players, so that was considered during the exercise.

These are the purple team’s trade theories for the summer of 2024.

1. Lewis Cine Sent to New Team

Lewis Cine Pitched a Shutout vs. Lions. And Not in a Good Way.
Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports.


Prediction Maker: Cole Smith

The third-year safety and former first-round pick had a catastrophic injury as a rookie, and he fell to the bottom of the depth chart in 2023. The starting safety spots are locked up, Josh Metellus is used all over the defense, and even Theo Jackson seems to be trusted by coaches. See ya, Cine.

2. Vikings Trade away a QB

Jaren
Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports


Prediction Maker: Kyle Joudry

Has to be quarterback, right? The in-demand position is pretty crowded in Minnesota right now. Four options will be too many for the final roster.

3. Vikings Trade away a Safety

Make First Free
Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports.

Prediction Maker: Wes Johnson

With a surplus of talent at the position, it makes sense for the team to make a deal from this position. I don’t expect a big splash trade but rather a back-end depth deal to help the team fill another hole on the roster.

4. Vikings Trade for WR3

vikings
Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports.


Prediction Maker:
Ted Schwerzler

The WR3 position still seems somewhat unsettled. If Brandon Powell isn’t the answer, then upgrading through someone else’s roster could make sense.

5. Vikings Trade for WR Treylon Burks

Trade
Tennessee Titans wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins (10) celebrates his touchdown against the Atlanta Falcons with wide receiver Treylon Burks (16) during the first quarter at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tenn., Sunday, Oct. 29, 2023. © Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean / USA TODAY NETWORK.


Prediction Maker
: Dustin Baker

About two weeks ago, Bleacher Report suggested that Minnesota could send a 7th-Round draft pick to the Tennessee Titans for Treylon Burks.

If that deal is even remotely available, Kweis Adofo-Mensah should pull the trigger. That would be a hell of a way to solve the WR3 debate, as Burks’ upside is quite dazzling. Plus, Adofo-Mensah enjoys taking flyers on former high-round picks, so this one makes all the sense in the world.

Kudos to Bleacher Report for the sweet idea.

t6. Nick Mullens Shipped Off

Jefferson Has Starting
Minnesota quarterback Nick Mullens (12) changes the play at the line of scrimmage prior to a snap in the first quarter of a Week 15 NFL football game between the Minnesota Vikings and the Cincinnati Bengals, Saturday, Dec. 16, 2023, at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati. © Kareem Elgazzar/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK.


Prediction Maker: Josh Frey

For now, Mullens looks like the odd man out in a four-man QB race that will only have three players make the final roster. The Vikings will ship him off to acquire more 2025 draft capital

t6. Nick Mullens Shipped Off

found a new low
Katie Stratman-USA TODAY Sports


Prediction Maker: Janik Eckardt

After drafting J.J. McCarthy and signing Sam Darnold, there’s no room for veteran passer Nick Mullens. Another team will invest a late-round pick to acquire his experienced presence and he, despite his turnovers, has proven the ability to keep an offense going when the starter is unavailable.

t7. Trade for a CB

Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports


Prediction Maker: Adam New

If there’s a move to be made, I feel it’s at cornerback. If someone who can be relied upon to patrol the perimeter becomes available, the Vikings should make a move. Perhaps they will use Akayleb Evans or Andrew Booth as part of the deal.

t7. Trade for a CB

Offseason Is Different
Minnesota general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah at the 2023 NFL Combine the Week of February 27th. The Vikings have the 23rd overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft.


Prediction Maker: Ali Siddiqui

Byron Murphy Jr. is a good cornerback, and Mekhi Blackmon had a good rookie year, but can he take that next step forward? Akayleb Evans is very up and down. Andrew Booth has shown some flashes, but it is still not known if he can be reliable. Shaq Griffin is a low-risk, high-reward signing, but will he have a good year? Khyree Jackson is only a rookie. It makes plenty of sense to add another corner to the roster.


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 MIN 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.