Vikings Fire Off 3rd Trade in Just 5 Days
The Mekhi Blackmon era in Minneapolis is formally over.
The Vikings have pulled off their third trade in just five days, continuing a whirlwind stretch of roster moves that have changed the team a bit.
General manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah offloaded Blackmon, a third-year cornerback, on Monday night, sending him to the Indianapolis Colts to reunite with defensive back Camryn Bynum in exchange for a 6th-Round pick.
That’s a wrap on Blackmon as a Viking.
It’s 3 Trades in 5 Days for the Vikings
Minnesota had seen enough from Blackmon and his ACL recovery.
CB Mekhi Blackmon Traded to Colts
Done deal: Blackmon now plays for Shane Steichen’s team.
Vikings.com‘s Craig Peters announced the deal: “The Vikings on Monday announced they have traded cornerback Mekhi Blackmon to the Indianapolis Colts in exchange for a sixth-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. The deal is subject to Blackmon passing a physical.”
“Blackmon joined Minnesota as a third-round pick (102nd overall) in 2023. He appeared in 15 games as a rookie and made three starts, recording 41 tackles, three for loss and an interception. Blackmon suffered a season-ending ACL injury at the start of the 2024 Vikings Training Camp.”
Fans began to wonder if Blackmon could be waived this week after watching him play deep into preseason games this month. Most uncuttable players rest in the second and third preseason games. But not Blackmon — he damn near led the defense in snaps.
Three Trades in Five Days
Last Wednesday, Adofo-Mensah sent defensive tackle Harrison Phillips to the New York Jets, along with a 7th-Round pick, for two 6th-Rounders. The swap turned heads because nobody knew that Phillips was for sale.
Then, last weekend, Minnesota grabbed a 5th-Rounder (2026) and 7th-Rounder (2027) from the Philadelphia Eagles for quarterback Sam Howell and a 6th-Rounder (2026). Howell looked silly at times during the preseason and training camp.
If you’re keeping track at home, Adofo-Mensah is stockpiling draft picks for players he might’ve cut this week. For the price of Harrison Phillips, Sam Howell, and Mekhi Blackmon, along with a 6th- and 7th-Rounder, he’s gained these commodities:
- 2026 5th-Round pick
- 2026 6th-Round pick
- 2027 6th-Round pick
- 2027 7th-Round pick
Blackmon Era Ends with a Whimper
Blackmon started his NFL career off with a mini-bang, notching a 71.8 Pro Football Focus grade in 2023 and establishing a positive trajectory for 2024 and beyond.
Disaster struck soon after, as Blackmon tore his ACL at the very beginning of 2024 training camp, vowing to return better than ever. Minnesota signed Stephon Gilmore — who is currently a free agent — to fill the Blackmon role in 2024. He did so commendably.
Upon returning from the ACL tear this summer, Blackmon, at least for now, looked like a shell of himself. Perhaps he’ll rekindle his hot start in Indianapolis.
A Signal of Something Bigger
Don’t look now, but the Vikings own a miniature war chest of late-round picks to wheel and deal in the coming days. Outwardly, the team needs a wide receiver or two and maybe the same quantity of cornerbacks.
Adam Thielen has popularly lived in the rumor mill; so has Trey Palmer, a wide receiver from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
While nothing is guaranteed in sports, a WR and CB deal — at least one of each — feels imminent.
More on the Blackmon Trade
Star Tribune‘s Ben Goessling noted on the Blackmon trade Monday night, “Cornerback depth still appears to be an issue for the Vikings, but the team could keep undrafted free agent Zemaiah Vaughn, and has seemed optimistic about Kahlef Hailassie, who’s moved to safety during camp but also has experience at corner.”
“The Vikings’ three trades — sending Harrison Phillips to the Jets last week, dealing Sam Howell to the Eagles on Sunday and trading Blackmon to the Colts on Monday night — have netted the team and extra fifth- and sixth-round picks in the 2026 draft, as well as a sixth-rounder in 2027.”
Blackmon performed admirably as a rookie in 2023, but his ACL tear did him no favors, and Minnesota had apparently seen enough this summer to trade him for a draft pick.
Goessling added, “Counting the three compensatory picks the team is projected to receive in next year’s draft, the Vikings currently have 11 selections next spring. The haul could help them replenish the roster with young players, or swing a deal for another veteran this week. The Vikings have been exploring trades for a receiver, with Jordan Addison suspended for the first three games of the season and Jalen Nailor dealing with a hand injury.”
“The team had been talking to the Panthers about a deal that would bring Adam Thielen back to Minnesota, though it remains to be seen if the two sides will agree on draft pick compensation and how much of Thielen’s $6.5 million base salary the Vikings would pick up.”
Minnesota must trim its roster to 53 players by Tuesday at 3:00 PM CST.
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