The 5 “Dream Big” Trade Candidates for the Vikings

Dustin Baker |

Nov 2, 2024

Oct 17, 2024; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Saints cornerback Marshon Lattimore (23) during the warmups before the game against the Denver Broncos at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images.

The Minnesota Vikings, with a 5-2 record, may or may not make another trade in the coming days. It might depend on the outcome of Sunday Night Football against the Indianapolis Colts.

The 5 “Dream Big” Trade Candidates for the Vikings

The NFL’s trade deadline is Tuesday, November 5th, so the purple team has a couple of days to pull the trigger on another trade or two.

Judgment Day — Dec 24, 2023; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah looks on before the game against the Detroit Lions at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports.

And with already swinging deals for running back Cam Akers and left tackle Cam Robinson, these are the Vikings’ five most realistic “dream trade” targets remaining, ranked in ascending order (No. 1 = top dream scenario).

5. Brandon Scherff (OG) — JAX

Dec 17, 2023; Jacksonville, Florida, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars offensive tackle Anton Harrison (77), guard Brandon Scherff (68), center Luke Fortner (79), Jacksonville Jaguars guard Ezra Cleveland (76), and offensive tackle Walker Little (72) huddle against the Baltimore Ravens in the first quarter at EverBank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports.

Scheff will hit free agency in 4.5 months and is still one of the NFL’s top guards. In theory, if the Jaguars sold assets on Monday or Tuesday, he’d be an immediate upgrade on the offensive line to Ed Ingram.

Of course, Minnesota also employs Dalton Risner, who would get a look if Ingram were benched, but Scherff is even better than Risner. This would-be trade could make the innards of the Vikings’ offensive line significantly better.

The move would also enable a possible next contract in purple for Scherff, who will turn 33 around Christmas. Perhaps he could end his career in the Twin Cities.

4. Marshon Lattimore (CB) — NO

Jan 5, 2020; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Saints cornerback Marshon Lattimore (23) defends Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Adam Thielen (19) during the second quarter of a NFC Wild Card playoff football game at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Derick Hingle-USA TODAY Sports.

Lattimore is kinda-sorta in the trade rumor mill, and if the Vikings want a cornerback upgrade, Lattimore is precisely that.

Here’s his Pro Football Focus resume since 2017:

2024: 69.5
2023: 67.4
2022: 64.7
2021: 77.3
2020: 54.1
2019: 68.1
2018: 73.3
2017: 86.1

He could be gettable for a 2026 mid-round pick or pick swap.

3. Travis Etienne (RB) — JAX

Sep 29, 2024; Houston, Texas, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars running back Travis Etienne Jr. (1) during the game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images.

Tank Bigsby is gradually grabbing more attention in Jacksonville’s offense, and Etienne is in the final year of his contract. In theory, the Jaguars could hand Bigsby the RB1 baton and trade Etienne.

A deal for Etienne would be sweet for the Vikings because they could extend him and make him the RB1 in 2025 and beyond with a contract extension.

2. Jeffery Simmons (DT) — TEN

Sep 22, 2024; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee Titans defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons (98) and linebacker Arden Key (49) speak during pregame warmups before the game against the Green Bay Packers at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn Images

Tennessee released once-popular safety Jamal Adams a couple of weeks ago so he could pursue a winning team in free agency, meaning the Titans may be initiating a surrender. Simmons could be “expendable,” too.

The Titans will be 1-7 if they lose this Sunday.

Minnesota would have to trade a hefty sum for Simmons — probably the 2025 1st-Rounder — but he’s a proven commodity. He’s worth it.

Simmons is 27.

1. Dexter Lawrence (DT) — NYG

trade candidates — Dec 5, 2021; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; New York Giants defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence (97) celebrates his tackle of Miami Dolphins running back Salvon Ahmed (not pictured) during the second half at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports.

Lawrence, 26, probably won’t be traded, but this is the man Vikings fans have screamed about for weeks. In the off chance the Giants hold a fire sale this week, Minnesota, in theory, could donate a 1st-Rounder and mid-rounder for Lawrence’s services.

His arrival to Minnesota would be akin to Jared Allen in 2008. No delineation.

Also Read:
3 Losers from the Vikings’ Cam Robinson Trade

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.