Minnesota Vikings General Manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah addressed the media about the upcoming 2024 NFL Draft from the TCO Performance Center. The Vikings have long-term draft needs at quarterback, cornerback, and interior offensive line.
Some didn’t like the trade because Cam Robinson’s addition to the Minnesota Vikings’ roster seemed like a 10-game rental.
General manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah fired off the trade Tuesday with season-saving implications, sending a conditional 5th-Round draft pick from 2026 to the Jacksonville for Robinson and a 2026 7th-Rounder. The trade is also fascinating because the Vikings could be eligible for a compensatory draft pick in 2026 if Robinson departs in free agency 4.5 months from now. The move could be close to free when the dust settles.
Why was the deal made? Well, Minnesota’s franchise cornerstone left tackle, Christian Darrisaw, will miss the rest of 2024 with a torn ACL + MCL he suffered one week ago. Meanwhile, the Robinson trade details keep getting better.
ESPN’s Field Yates tweeted Wednesday, “To facilitate the trade of Cam Robinson to the Vikings, the Jaguars absorbed just over $7M of his remaining base salary, per source. The Vikings will owe Robinson $2M in base salary plus $58,824 for each game he is active for the rest of this season. Robinson can begin practicing tomorrow.”
Financially, Yates’ details revealed the trade as close to free for the Vikings — it’s a bit abnormal for the “other team” to swallow that much salary.
Robinson is similar to Vikings guard Dalton Risner, with his skill set more focused on pass protection and lagging a bit in run-blocking. But with Darrisaw on the shelf, Minnesota would never really be able to acquire an adequate replacement. Robinson is the best available option, all the things considered.
The trade also snuffs out any organic replacement plan. Veteran reserve OT David Quessenberry was on track to start for Darrisaw, but that plan hit the backburner. Too, some speculated that Minnesota could shift left guard Blake Brandel to left tackle while inserting the aforementioned Risner at Brandel’s LG spot. That would-be switcheroo won’t happen.
For trade naysayers — they’re out there — these are the three main facets to understand about the deal:
So, yes — this is also known as a trade masterclass, featuring very little risk with multiple bet hedges.
The Vikings host the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday night, and Robinson is expected to start at left guard.
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.