The “Can’t Miss” Trade Opportunity That Might Entice the Vikings
The Minnesota Vikings, somewhat oddly, have oodles of cap space in mid-March, freshly removed from a free-agent spending bonanza last week.
The “Can’t Miss” Trade Opportunity That Might Entice the Vikings
The Minnesota Vikings have notably signed Ryan Kelly (C), Will Fries (G), Jonathan Allen (DT), Javon Hargrave (DT), Jordan Mason (RB, trade), and Isaiah Rodgers (CB) in free agency in addition to re-upping with Aaron Jones (RB), Byron Murphy Jr. (CB), Theo Jackson (S), and Harrison Smith (S).
But the purple team may not be done onboarding new players, and one early offseason trade theory could be in play — trading for cornerback Denzel Ward of the Cleveland Browns.
Who Is Denzel Ward and Why Him?
Minnesota, like every Super Bowl-contending team, could use a superstar cornerback. Ward, in theory, would play alongside Murphy Jr., who general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah re-signed last week.
Here’s Ward’s Pro Football Focus resume to date:
- 2024: 68.4
- 2023: 69.6
- 2022: 56.8
- 2021: 76.9
- 2020: 72.8
- 2019: 69.9
- 2018: 78.9
Ward is a four-time Pro Bowler and would instantly upgrade Minnesota’s cornerback situation. He’ll turn 28 in April.
Adofo-Mensah worked for the Browns from 2020 to 2021 while Ward rose to power within Cleveland’s defense, just as Ward began stacking Pro Bowls.
Minnesota could send his 1st-Rounder from this year to Cleveland — his former employer — for Ward, 28, and call it good. Adofo-Mensah might also be able to grab a 2nd- or 3rd-Rounder if Ward’s age pumps the brake on the deal. His cap number is $24.5 million in 2025, and the 2025 CB room would be totally cemented via trade. Adofo-Mensah has about $33 million in cap space at the moment.
The Origin(s) of the Ward Trade Theories
ESPN published an article in January predicting and forecasting the offseason for all non-playoff teams, and when Benjamin Solak arrived at the Browns’ section, he theorized a Ward trade to Minnesota or Green Bay.
“Big prediction for the offseason: With no contending future in sight, I expect the Browns to trade players for picks. Both cornerbacks Denzel Ward (who had an excellent season) and Greg Newsome II (who had an uncharacteristically shaky season) should be made available, and one will be dealt. For my money, I expect a young, rising team to put a first-round pick on the table for Ward (Packers? Vikings?) and give the Browns the draft capital they need to aggressively rebuild,” Solak explained.
In February, Bleacher Report piggybacked the ESPN trade idea.
“Ward has long been one of the NFL’s better players at a premium position. He’s headed to his fourth Pro Bowl and is in the prime of the career,” BR’s Gary Davenport recommended last month.
“But if Minnesota offers the 24th overall pick for Ward, Cleveland should pull the trigger. It would be a truly ‘all-in’ move for the Vikings, who are already short on draft picks this year. But with $57.9 million in cap space, the Vikings could make this splash trade and still have enough money to bring back Sam Darnold.”
The Cleveland connection between Adofo-Mensah, the Browns’ front office, and Ward could reign supreme.
“Calling pass defense the Vikings’ biggest weakness this season doesn’t do it justice. They were 28th in the NFL during the regular season and got shredded by the Rams in a playoff loss. Ward would be a massive upgrade at their most vulnerable position. He’d all but surely a more impactful player in the short-term than that 24th pick,” Davenport added.
The Vikings’ CB Room with Ward
Minnesota would then deploy this batch of cornerbacks into the summer:
- Denzel Ward
- Byron Murphy Jr.
- Mekhi Blackmon
- Isaiah Rodgers
- Dwight McGlothern
- Tavierre Thomas
- NaJee Thompson
- Nahshon Wright
- Ambry Thomas
- Reddy Steward
- Kahlef Hailassie
About six or so would miss the 53-man roster cut, as such is life in the NFL, but between Ward, Murphy Jr., Blackmon, Rodgers, and McGlothern, the Brian Flores’ defense would be cooking with gas.
Adofo-Mensah would basically trade his No. 24 pick for Ward, a sure-thing asset, rather than gamble on a rookie. Minnesota has miserably drafted cornerbacks in the last decade, with the last decent one as Trae Waynes — 10 years ago.
If Not Ward, Then Who?
Should the Ward trade not materialize, well, Minnesota would still have options. Rookies like Trey Amos (Ole Miss), Jahdae Barron (Texas), Maxwell Hairston (Kentucky), Benjamin Morrison (Notre Dame), Shavon Revel Jr. (East Carolina), and Azareye’h Thomas (Florida State) should be available in April’s draft.
From free agency, these non-Ward commodities could round out the 2025 group:
- Asante Samuel Jr.
- Mike Hilton
- Rasul Douglas
- Stephon Gilmore (again)
- Shaquill Griffin (again)
The only downside to Ward in purple is age — 28 in April, whereas a rookie would provide youth. In Ward, though, Minnesota would possess a can’t-miss defender.
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.
You must be logged in to post a comment.