The 4 Main Trade Options for the Vikings
The Minnesota Vikings conquered the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday Night Football, winning by a score of 21-13.
The 4 Main Trade Options for the Vikings
Accordingly, after already swinging trades for running back Cam Akers and left tackle Cam Robinson in the last three weeks, Minnesota could do a bit more trade business within the next day, as the NFL’s deadline looms at 3:00 p.m. CST on Tuesday.
So, ranked in ascending order of likelihood, these are the trade-style agreements the the club could reach before tomorrow afternoon.
4. The Supreme Splash
What Is the “Supreme Splash?”
Selling the 2025 1st-Round pick for an established veteran.
While teams like the New York Giants and Tennessee Titans may not be willing to trade their almighty DT targets, those clubs are going nowhere and might be wise to sell assets.
For the reward of a guaranteed-to-be good commodity, general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah could trade his 2026 1st-Rounder, which will likely be a pick in the 20s. Think: The Jared Allen trade in 2008.
The Candidates:
Dexter Lawrence (DT, New York Giants)
Jeffery Simmons (DT, Tennessee Titans)
3. The Mid-Round Deal
What Is the “The Mid-Round Deal?”
Selling a 2026 3rd- or 4th-Rounder for an impact player.
In 2022, Adofo-Mensah authored the T.J. Hockenson trade that featured Hockenson to Minnesota for mid-round pick swaps with the Detroit Lions.
In this scenario, the Vikings would finagle a similar arrangement, adding a player who will remain with the franchise beyond 2024.
The Candidates:
Travis Etienne (RB, Jacksonville Jaguars)
Marshon Lattimore (CB, New Orleans Saints)
Brandon Scherff (OG, Jacksonville Jaguars)
Greg Newsome II (CB, Cleveland Browns)
2. The Seller Role
What Is the “The Seller Role?”
Offloading an underperforming veteran for a late-round pick.
Skimpy on draft picks next year because of the Dallas Turner deal, Minnesota recoups late-round picks by selling one or some of the men below.
The Candidates:
Patrick Jones II (OLB)
Brian Asamoah (LB)
Akayleb Evans (CB)
1. The Late-Round “Free” Trade
What Is the “The Late-Round ‘Free’ Trade?”
Obtaining an aging veteran for relative peanuts — a 2026 7th-Rounder or similar.
Unless Minnesota utterly collapses, it is heading to the postseason. Adding one of these men as a “rental” for the playoff tournament feels like the most likely final trade.
The Candidates:
Adam Thielen (WR, Carolina Panthers)
Calais Campbell (DT, Miami Dolphins)
Tutu Atwell (WR, Los Angeles Rams)
Adam Butler (DT, Las Vegas Raiders)
Jonathan Jones (CB, New England Patriots)
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 MIN 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.
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