4 Trades the Vikings Should Pull Off Right Now
The Minnesota Vikings have about 2.5 months to fire off trades before the NFL’s deadline and employ a general manager, Kwesi Adofo-Mensah, who’s never afraid to pull the trigger.
VikingsTerritory examines four realistic trade options the Vikings could make before the regular season kicks off to strengthen the roster and address needs.
The club also has plenty of cap space — $26.5 million — to support almost any trade within reason. Therefore, in the interest of nudging the roster to the next level, VikingsTerritory formally recommends these deals for the purple team.
Note: Adofo-Mensah won’t pull off all these swaps, nor do we expect him to. Consider one of these options — you pick your poison — as a realistic scenario. The trades are counted down to the best at No. 1.
Late-Summer Trade Ideas for the Vikings.
Adofo-Mensah has always fancied a trade around this time of year.
4. Jaleel McLaughlin (RB) for a Conditional Late-Round Pick
Indeed, unsung running back Zavier Scott played wonderfully in last weekend’s preseason game. So did Kyle Sloter, a quarterback, in the preseason seven years ago. Sadly, individual preseason performance doesn’t always necessarily translate to regular season success.
So, the Vikings should pursue a deal with the Denver Broncos for tailback Jaleel McLaughlin, who could be quasi-expendable with the additions of rookie R.J. Harvey and veteran J.K. Dobbins this offseason. McLaughlin is a safer regular season bet than Scott’s preseason flair.
It’s also worth noting that McLaughlin could be released in 13 days. Minnesota could scoop him from the waiver wire. Denver, too, could release or trade a runner like Audric Estime. In that scenario, McLaughlin and Estime would be interchangeable for the purposes of this article.
3. Curtis Samuel (WR) for a 6th-Rounder
The Buffalo Bills currently employ Samuel, a versatile wide-receiving playmaker. He’s on Buffalo’s roster bubble if you read any segment of Bills-themed media.
Minnesota lost Rondale Moore for all of 2025 last Saturday, a brutal injury for a man who just returned from … a brutal injury.
Samuel is 29 and can field rushing attempts, along with kick returns. Make him the Rondale Moore replacement in the offense.
2. Jamel Dean (CB) for 5th-Round Pick
Dean has no guaranteed money left on his current and sizable contract. His employer also drafted Benjamin Morrison and Jacob Parrish in April — two promising rookie cornerbacks. The writing is on the wall for Dean to exit stage left in Tampa Bay before too long.
With those youngsters in the building, Dean could be expendable and has been a mainstay of the summer trade rumor mill. Dean produced an impressive 75.1 Pro Football Focus grade last season, a mark that would boost Minnesota’s secondary in 2025.
Bleacher Report’s Moe Moton mentioned a Dean trade to Buffalo earlier in the offseason: “The Buccaneers should be disappointed in Jamel Dean since they signed him to a four-year, $52 million extension in 2023. Over the last two years, the 28-year-old has recorded 11 pass breakups and one interception while allowing a passer rating of 111 and 91.2 for the 2023 and 2024 terms, respectively.”
“He’s also missed nine games in that span. The Buccaneers need change in the secondary. Despite finishing within the top nine in pressure rate and sacks, they ranked 29th in passing yards allowed last season, which points to an issue on the back end of the defensive unit.”
Tampa Bay drafted Morrison and Parrish after Moton’s suggestion, only intensifying Dean trade fodder.
Moton added, “If Tampa Bay targets a cornerback early in the upcoming draft, Dean may be available for a Super Bowl-contending squad looking to fill a need. Buffalo hasn’t re-signed cornerback Rasul Douglas. The Bills brought back cornerback Dane Jackson, who was selected in the seventh round of the 2020 draft, but he’s been a career backup for them.”
“Dean has no guaranteed money left on his contract, so he may play with the extra motivation of getting a new deal. Buffalo can probably get him for a fifth-round pick.”
1. Trey Palmer (WR) for a 6th-Rounder
As mentioned above, Rondale Moore blew out his knee — again — and isn’t coming back anytime soon. Palmer is basically Moore, but a year younger and five inches taller. Like the Buccaneers drafting Morrison and Parrish at cornerback, Tampa Bay also picked wide receiver Emeka Egbuka in Round 1 a few months ago.
With Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, Jalen McMillan, and Egbuka filling out the WR depth chart, Palmer might be lost in the shuffle. In Minnesota, he could be reasonably showcased as a WR4 — or WR3 with Jordan Addison’s suspension for three games around the bend.
Athlon Sports‘ Timm Hamm noted on the notion of a Palmer trade in June: “Palmer posted just 22 catches with 172 yards and one score while spending time on special teams returning punts. The Buccaneers’ wide receiver room is quite crowded, and someone could be the odd man out when the time comes for final roster cuts.
“If the Bucs don’t think Palmer will make the 2025 squad, it’s best to trade him now and get something rather than release him later for nothing.”
The Vikings could put Palmer’s 4.33 speed to work. He also returns punts. Go get ’em.
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