ESPN Names 2 Possible Trade Partners for Vikings
The worst kept-secret about the Minnesota Vikings this month is that the purple team will probably trade back from their No. 24 draft spot in 17 days.
ESPN Names 2 Possible Trade Partners for Vikings
Why? Well, it’s straightforward: General Manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah traded most of his 2025 draft capital to the Jacksonville Jaguars in the 2024 NFL Draft for pass rusher Dallas Turner. Accordingly, he has just four picks this go-round.
Therefore, outfits like ESPN predict Minnesota will trade back on draft night, and they’re likely not wrong.
Matt Miller’s Prediction
Draft analyst Matt Miller sized up the NFL teams most likely to wheel and deal in Round 1, and the Vikings’ name was called last week. “Which team is most likely to trade down in Round 1? Minnesota Vikings. With only four selections in this draft, including no second-rounder, the Vikings have less draft capital than any other team,” Miller wrote.
“At No. 24 overall, they could benefit from sliding back to a spot like Buffalo (No. 30) or Kansas City (No. 31) to add extra picks. Minnesota could still fill needs at defensive back or defensive tackle later in Round 1.”
The Arizona Cardinals and Washington Commanders also earned attention as possible trade candidates besides Minnesota.
The Possible Deal with Kansas City
The Chiefs could be in the mood for an offensive lineman, and climbing to pick No. 24 might be the special sauce for the Super Bowl runner-up.
In the spirit of Miller’s prediction, a Vikings trade with the Chiefs on draft night could resemble this:
Vikings Receive —
Pick No. 31
Pick No. 95 (Round 3)
Pick No. 133 (Round 4)
Chiefs Receive —
Pick No. 24
Pick No. 187 (Round 6)
A Trade with Buffalo
Because the Bills pick at nearly an identical spot to the Chiefs, a deal with Buffalo would look quite similar. The Bills could be in the market for a defensive lineman, as indicated by many credible mock drafts, such as Oregon’s Derrick Harmon or Michigan’s Kenneth Grant.
Vikings Receive —
Pick No. 30
Pick No. 109 (Round 4)
Pick No. 132 (Round 4)
Pick No. 206 (Round 6)
Bills Receive —
Pick No. 24
The Other Trade Back Possibility
Of course, wheeling and dealing with the Chiefs or Bills isn’t the only option. Minnesota could do business with a team near the top of Round 2 while adding more Round 3 or 4 capital.
For example, if the Vikings did trade commerce with the New York Jets, a negotiation might end up like this:
Vikings Receive —
Pick No. 42 (Round 2)
Pick No. 73 (Round 3)
Pick No. 110 (Round 4)
Jets Receive —
Pick No. 24
The Jets deal might enable their new regime to hop back into Round 1, pursuing Mississippi quarterback Jaxson Dart, of whom New York would gain the precious 5th-Year option on his contract. Just an example.
Who Can Vikings Target after Trade Back?
Trading with the Chiefs, Bills, or Jets will leave Minnesota with some enticing options, even by sliding back. These players could factor into the equation for Adofo-Mensah at the bottom of Round 1 or the top of Round 2:
- Derrick Harmon (DT, Oregon)
- Walter Nolen (DT, Mississippi)
- Grey Zabel (iOL, North Dakota State)
- Maxwell Hairston (CB, Kentucky)
- Donovan Jackson (iOL, Ohio State)
- Shavon Revel Jr. (CB, East Carolina)
- Trey Amos (CB, Mississippi)
- TreVeyon Henderson (RB, Ohio State)
- Benjamin Morrison (CB, Notre Dame)
Candidate to Stick and Pick at No. 24
Finally, if Minnesota stands pat, refusing any trades down the board and simply not caring about a lack of draft picks, these players probably represent the top stick-and-pick options at No. 24:
- Jahdae Barron (CB, Texas)
- Colston Loveland (TE, Michigan)
- Nick Emmanwori (S, South Carolina)
- Malaki Starks (S, Georgia)
- Omarion Hampton (RB, North Carolina)
- Kenneth Grant (DT, Michigan)
- Tyler Booker (G, Alabama)
The draft takes place this year in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Most of the draft community expects Minnesota to end up with a defensive player as its first draft pick.
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