Oct 13, 2024; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jaylen Warren (30) looks to evade the tackle attempt of Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Adam Butler (69) during the second quarter at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images.
The Minnesota Vikings have conducted two trades in the last two weeks and change, acquiring running back Cam Akers from the Houston Texans and left tackle Cam Robinson from the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Akers provided running back insurance in case something injury-wise happens [again] to Aaron Jones, and Robinson will serve as Christian Darrisaw’s 10-game replacement, an LT to help the enterprise stay afloat.
And per CBS Sports, Minnesota should evidently aim to improve at defensive tackle, too, spitballing a deal for Las Vegas Raider defender Adam Butler. That’s the latest and greatest idea from Tyler Sullivan.
“The Vikings have already addressed a key need on offense by acquiring Cam Akers in a deal with the Houston Texans. That said, GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah hasn’t been shy about making deals throughout his tenure, so they may not be done. One area they could look to shore up is the defensive line with Raiders tackle Adam Butler,” Sullivan wrote this week.
These are the Vikings’ current defensive tackles (sometimes interchangeably referred to as “defensive ends” in Brian Flores’ scheme):
Sullivan added, “The 30-year-old has a relationship with defensive coordinator Brian Flores back when he was the de facto DC with the Patriots and then signed on with the Dolphins in 2021 when Flores was the head coach.”
A deal for Butler would make sense if the Vikings did not have Jerry Tillery on the roster or if a man like Jonathan Bullard fell injured. Otherwise, Butler is a middle-of-the-road contributor, evidenced by his Pro Football Focus resume:
And those numbers are basically a mirror image of Tillery’s. In theory, if Minnesota obliged Sullivan’s trade recommendation for Butler, well, Tilerry would still start on Sundays.
The Flores connection is fascinating, however, and if the Vikings seek DT depth, yes, Butler checks some boxes. It’s also worth noting that Minnesota doesn’t have too much draft capital to fire off more trades; the cabinet is barren after deals acquiring Dallas Turner and the aforementioned Akers + Robinson in 2024.
For about a month, Vikings fans have coveted a splashier DT trade, potentially involving Dexter Lawrence of the New York Giants or Jeffery Simmons from the Tennessee Titans, though neither is verifiably available on the trade block.
A Butler trade would be perceived as a whimper compared to Lawrence or Simmons.
The NFL’s trade deadline is five days away.
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.