Dec 17, 2023; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Carolina Panthers wide receiver Adam Thielen (19) runs after a catch as Atlanta Falcons cornerback Clark Phillips III (34) defends during the second quarter at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports.
The Minnesota Vikings, with a 5-2 record nearing the season’s midpoint, host the Indianapolis Colts this weekend on Sunday Night Football.
Conveniently, 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.
And with already swinging deals for running back Cam Akers and left tackle Cam Robinson, these are the Vikings’ four most realistic trade targets remaining, ranked in ascending order (No. 1 = most realistic).
If the Miami Dolphins lose Sunday at the Buffalo Bills — they probably will — they’ll own a horrible 2-6 record just two days before the NFL’s trade deadline. It could be time to sell some assets for future draft capital.
Campbell, 38, is a cyborg who never ages. He’s 38 and ranks as Pro Football Focus‘ fifth-best interior lineup after eight weeks, if that can believed. His 86.4 PFF mark at this age is utterly stunning.
Minnesota should scoop him for a late-round pick if Miami holds a quasi-fire sale and play him at Jerry Tillery’s spot.
Los Angeles Rams wideout Tutu Atwell and head coach Kevin O’Connell crossed paths during Atwell’s rookie season in Tinseltown three years ago.
Atwell could help Minnesota at WR3, and with the return of Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp in Los Angeles, Atwell may be expendable. He’s also playing in a contract year.
Minnesota could conduct a trade for Atwell, and the fee would be a late-rounder.
Here’s Newsome II’s Pro Football Focus resume through four seasons:
Newsome II has been prone to tackling issues lately, but the working theory would be that the technique could be fixed in Minnesota.
He’s in a contract year, and the Browns could trade him before Tuesday to recoup draft capital. Minnesota really needs young CB solutions. And don’t forget that Kwesi Adofo-Mensah was in the room when Cleveland selected Newsome II in 2021.
Thielen’s old team, the Vikings, possesses a 5-2 record, tabulated against a formidable schedule. Minnesota is likely heading to the postseason, barring a total collapse. The Panthers, on the other hand, stink and recently offloaded cornerback Troy Hill because they want to “get younger.” Thielen is not young, and if the Hill release is tangible evidence, Thielen could be next via outright release or trade.
Carolina also traded Diontae Johnson to Baltimore this week. If it were willing to trade Johnson, Thielen is totally in play to get moved. Letting Thielen finish his career in purple seems like justice.
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.