Another Vikings Superstar Mentioned in Draft Trade Rumor Mill
Minnesota Vikings fans have all but conceded that a would-be trade up the draftboard will cost a king’s ransom, but the price keeps climbing higher, at least per popular opinion.
Another Vikings Superstar Mentioned in Draft Trade Rumor Mill
Minnesota pulled off a slick trade on March 15th, grabbing an additional 1st-Round pick from the Houston Texans while offloading two 2nd-Rounders in the deal, plus a late-round pick swap. Kirk Cousins left the Vikings for the Atlanta Falcons two days prior, and most believe the trade was a power move to conduct a subsequent deal to get further up the board on draft night for Cousins’ replacement.
And according to ESPN, if the purple team’s trade partner is the New England Patriots, left tackle Christian Darrisaw could be tossed into the mix. For a month — arguably more — Justin Jefferson, too, has been whispered in the trade rumor mill, but reasonable folks have deemed that idea ridiculous. Darrisaw is a new theory.
“The ‘pipe dream’ for the Patriots, per Spielman, would be the Vikings trading receiver Justin Jefferson as part of a package that includes multiple first-round picks. Or maybe starting left tackle Christian Darrisaw,” ESPN’s Mike Reiss wrote on Sunday. Reiss covers the Patriots and cited former Vikings general manager Rick Spielman as the source for the Darrisaw theory.
Darrisaw is one of the NFL’s best offensive tackles, and if he’s included in any trade, well, Minnesota would start at square one involving one of the sport’s most important positions. Reiss added about New England’s roster needs, “Receiver and left tackle are two of the Patriots’ top needs, alongside quarterback, and the latter is why former Buccaneers general manager Mark Dominik (2009-13) isn’t sure any trade — other than a blockbuster in the pipe dream category — would be worth it for New England.”
To date, multiple 1st-Rounders have been mentioned as part of the Vikings’ and Patirots’ hypothetical trade. The eventual fee could even fetch three 1st-Rounders. But Darrrisaw — or Jefferson — is fringe theory that is probably too rich for the Vikings’ blood. Stay tuned.
General manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah could also do business with a non-Patriots team. The Washington Commanders (Pick No. 2), the Arizona Cardinals (Pick No. 4), and the Los Angeles Chargers (Pick No. 5) are more possible trade partners. The Cardinals and Chargers would represent a thriftier cost.
And for targets, Caleb Williams (USC), Drake Maye (North Carolina), Jayden Daniels (LSU), Michael Penix Jr. (Washington), J.J. McCarthy (Michigan), and Bo Nix (Oregon) are expected to go off the board in Rounds 1 and 2. Minnesota has been tied to Maye and McCarthy, especially since the aforementioned trade with Houston.
Anything is possible with a draft night trade, but throwing Darrisaw or Jefferson in the deal is a longshot. Those men are foundational roster pieces.
The draft is 10 days away.
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 Vikings 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.
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