Oct 17, 2024; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; Denver Broncos running back Javonte Williams (33) runs out the tunnel during the warmups before the game against the New Orleans Saints at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images.
In the last 16 days, the Minnesota Vikings have finagled two trades, grabbing running back Cam Akers from the Houston Texans and left tackle Cam Robinson from the Jacksonville Jaguars.
The team sits at 5-2, third-place in the NFC North, with the postseason in plain view if the recent two-game losing skid stops.
And per SI.com, the Vikings should conduct a third trade before the NFL’s deadline, November 5th, for Denver Broncos running back Javonte Williams. Matt Vederame from that site theorized trades for each NFL team, and for the Broncos, the deal involved a 7th-Round pick from Minnesota for Williams, a running back on an expiring contract.
“The Broncos are fighting for a playoff spot and ought to be commended. That said, Denver isn’t a contender and the running back room has been weak all year. Meanwhile, the Vikings are in the mix for the NFC North and have been relying heavily on Aaron Jones to carry the ball,” Vederame explained.
These are the Vikings’ running backs at the moment:
Verderame added, “Jones, 30, has been terrific, but Ty Chandler is a middling backup. The move makes sense for both sides.”
Williams has banked 345 rushing yards on 90 carries in 2024 (3.8 yards per rush), with 27 receptions for 174 yards. He’s also scored 2 touchdowns.
Why would the Broncos offload Williams? Simple — his contract expires in 4.5 months, and Denver has little to no history of handing out second contracts to running backs. In fact, Denver arguably set the trend 20-25 years ago of “using” running backs on their rookie deals and deeming them expendable thereafter. That’s Denver’s modus operandi after the departure of Terrell Davis decades ago.
Not for nothing, Vederame also recommended a defensive trade for Minnesota — a 5th-Round pick to Cleveland for cornerback Greg Newsome II, a player also living on an expiring contract. He wrote, “Perhaps the Browns are ready to break up their talented secondary amid a losing season and salary cap issues. Newsome, a 2021 first-round pick, can play on the inside and outside. He would help improve Minnesota’s pass defense, which would allow Flores to continue being an aggressive play-caller.”
Fans would find either trade — Williams or Newsome II — pretty spiffy.
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.