We Endorse 2 Trades for the Vikings
Each summer, Minnesota Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah conducts at least one trade, hoping to strengthen his roster for the upcoming season.
Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah usually finagles a trade or two during the summer, and we recommend these two for the Vikings.
There’s no reason to believe the summer of 2025 will be different.
So, here’s what VikingsTerritory recommends.
Trade Endorsement No. 1
TE Michael Mayer from LV
The Las Vegas Raiders selected tight end Brock Bowers in Round 1 of the 2024 NFL Draft — one year after spending a 2nd-Rounder on a different tight end, Michael Mayer.
Bowers set the world on fire last season, securing his spot as the Raiders’ TE1 indefinitely and perhaps already possessing enough clout to be called the best tight end in the NFL. He’s that good. Accordingly, Mayer has lived in the trade rumor mill all offseason for one simple reason: he’s being wasted behind Bowers, who will not be demoted.
Mayer, in theory, should have a TE1 job somewhere; it’s why Las Vegas spent a 2nd-Round pick on him in 2023.
Why Mayer for Minnesota?
The Vikings employ tight end T.J. Hockenson at the front of the TE depth chart, and Hockenson does it all. After him, though, Josh Oliver is the next man up, followed by a few rookies who will vie for the TE3 spot this summer. Oliver’s contract is scheduled to end after the 2025 campaign, and trading for Mayer now while he’s gettable would make sense.
If Oliver hits free agency next March, Minnesota would have nothing to worry about, showcasing Hockenson and Mayer for the long haul. Mayer can run routes, catch the ball, and block with the rest of them — also known as a sweet fit in Kevin O’Connell’s offense.
Trade Price Estimate for Mayer
The Raiders have damaged Mayer’s trade stock after onboarding Bowers, so the third-year tight end can likely be acquired for a 5th-Round pick in 2026. The Vikings’ draft piggybank is mostly stocked — unlike recent dealings with the 2025 draft — and sending a 5th-Rounder to Las Vegas for Mayer would be relatively pain-free.
The Latest on Mayer
SI.com’s Hondo Carpenter recently said about Mayer on a Raiders-themed podcast, “Michael Mayer, the tight end out of Notre Dame. Let me make something abundantly clear: he did some really good stuff in year one. In year two, he missed some games out for personal reasons. And yearly this year, there were reports of which we confirmed that you know, Michael Mayer could be on the trade block. And that is accurate. But I also put it in perspective for you, everyone was on the trade block.”
“I think Michael is going to have to adjust his game a little bit. He is going to have to. He is an extremely talented tight end, a wonderful young man.The Raiders were extremely supportive of him. His teammates were. He is very well-liked in the locker room. And I said at the time of the reports, yes, he could be traded, but the Raiders are not looking to trade him. This is a very talented young man.”
Trade Endorsement No. 2
CB Tariq Woolen from SEA
In addition to Mayer (although the Vikings may not swing two trades), Minnesota should explore the availability of cornerback Tariq Woolen from the Seattle Seahawks.
Seattle has recently worked out veteran corners Rasul Douglas and Shaquill Griffin, a wee bit odd because it has Woolen, Devon Witherspoon, and Josh Jobe — all starters — on the depth chart.
Woolen’s contract will expire after 2025, and all signs point to no extension for Woolen, who was even benched in a game last December. The 6’4″ cornerback expressed befuddlement over the temporary demotion.
Why Woolen for Minnesota?
Minnesota employs one trustworthy corner on its depth chart: Byron Murphy Jr. After that Pro Bowler, many “hopeful maybes” fill out the cornerback roster, including Isaiah Rodgers, Mekhi Blackmon, Jeff Okudah, Dwight McGlothern, and Ambry Thomas.
Woolen is not maybe; he has the resume of a tried-and-true CB2.
Defensive coordinator Brian Flores likely wouldn’t mind a tall, physical cornerback on his 2025 roster.
Trade Price Estimate for Woolen
Woolen will be more expensive via trade than Mayer. Adofo-Mensah could perhaps send a 3rd-Rounder to Seattle for Woolen and a 5th-Rounder. Increasingly, general managers enjoy the player-pick swap for a standalone pick, which might be Minnesota’s 3rd-Rounder in this scenario.
The Seahawks’ defender turned 26 this month and should have about three years of his career’s prime in front of him. Why not as a Viking?
The Latest on Woolen
SI.com’s Tim Weaver wrote about Seattle’s defense this week: “Year 1 under new head coach Mike Macdonald was a little shaky after a great start, but they finished the season trending in the right direction — inspiring hope that this will soon once again be one of the toughest defensive units in the NFL.”
“Bringing back largely the same unit was a good call, but it wouldn’t be accurate to say that this group doesn’t need any help at all. So, who might be on their radar if they are in the market to add a cornerback?”
Most Seahawks fans accept that Woolen may not be extended beyond the 2025 campaign, furthering the trade theories.
Weaver added, “We can probably scratch the top options off the list. Trading for either Jalen Ramsey of the Miami Dolphins or Jaire Alexander of the Green Bay Packers would likely be too rich for the Seahawks’ blood, both in terms of cap space and draft capital.”
“Some of the best free agents who are still available include Mike Hilton, James Bradberry, Kendall Fuller and Rasul Douglas, who has already met with the Seahawks. Former Seattle corner Shaquill Griffin has also been in to visit.”
It’s worth noting that most summer trades don’t pop off until July or August.
Former Vikings QB Keeps Door Open
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