Dec 18, 2022; Jacksonville, Florida, USA; Dallas Cowboys running back Tony Pollard (20) running back Malik Davis (34) and wide receiver CeeDee Lamb (88) exit the tunnel before the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at TIAA Bank Field. Mandatory Credit: Melina Myers-Imagn Images.
The NFL’s annual trade deadline is 22 days away and easy to remember — it’s election day.
Out of nowhere because of the Minnesota Vikings’ 5-0 start, general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mesnah can reasonably become a buyer at the deadline, not a seller, which might’ve been the forecast about two months ago.
And because of a buyer’s outlook, keep an eye on Tennessee Titans running back Tony Pollard.
Pollard is currently the Titans’ RB1, but Tennessee’s season is rapidly swirling down the commode. The Titans are 1-4 after Sunday’s loss to the Indianapolis Colts, and if the woes continue, Tennessee general manager Ran Carthon could hold a bit of a fire sale.
For context, these are the Vikings’ running backs at the moment:
In Tennessee, the Titans employ another talented runner in Tyjae Spears, and if Pollard were offloaded at the deadline, Spears could take over the RB1 duties. The Titans also employ Julius Chestnut at RB3 and Jabari Small at RB4.
Back in March, during the free-agent cycle, the Vikings were reportedly interested in Pollard — or at least some members of the Vikings’ brass endorsed his skill set.
“There are multiple fans at a very high level of Tony Pollard,” Wolfson said on SKOR North airwaves in March. “Doesn’t mean they’re going to chase him, but Tony Pollard is somebody that has some fans in Eagan.”
Why would the Vikings need Pollard? Simple — an injury bet hedge for Jones. In London eight days ago, Jones injured his hip, and his status entering Week 7 — a pivotal showdown at U.S. Bank Stadium against the Detroit Lions — is week to week. Jones is likely to play this Sunday, but if he were re-injured, well, Minnesota would have to lean on RB2 Ty Chandler, a halfback who didn’t get off the ground in relief of Jones in Week 5.
Then there’s the all-in angle. Minnesota has a 5-0 record through Week 6, and it probably believes it can win a Super Bowl this year. If a Jones injury would sink the offense, a Pollard substitution could save it. When Jones left the game against the New York Jets in London, the Vikings’ offense visibly became one-dimensional and ineffective.
Finally, there’s the general manager angle. Adofo-Mensah and the aforementioned Carthon worked together in San Francisco for a few seasons.
If not Pollard, other notable RB trade targets for the Vikings could include Miles Sanders (Carolina Panthers), Dameon Pierce (Houston Texans), Cam Akers (Houston Texans), or a tailback from the Denver Broncos. Free agents like Latavius Murray, Matt Breida, and Jerick McKinnon are also available on the open market.
Pollard is 27 and can probably be obtained for a 5th-Round draft pick or so — if Tennessee shops him. He ranks seventh leaguewide in rushing yards since the start of 2022.
It’s worth noting that Pollard has shredded the Vikings’ defense in the past as a member of the Cowboys.
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 Vikings 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.