NFL free agency is just 12 days away, with “legal tampering” kicking off on March 10th.
Vikings Now Have 2 Major Trade Targets
And between now through draft season, the Minnesota Vikings could conduct a few trades, as general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah loves to wheel and deal.
Of course, Minnesota doesn’t have much draft capital in 2025 piggybank to barter, but the 2026 and 2027 baskets could be tapped for possible deals.
Regarding trades, the Vikings now have a couple of major would-be targets after recent developments around the league.
Jonathan Allen (DT)
The Washington Commanders became a sturdy franchise in 2024, but Allen, a long-time Commander, evidently wants out.
NFL Network‘s Ian Rapoport tweeted Tuesday, “The Commanders have had trade conversations centered around Pro Bowl DL Jonathan Allen, sources say. Washington plans to do right by the player & Allen’s camp is involved in helping him land at the right spot — either via trade or free agency. He has one year left at $15M.”
Allen was actually in Minnesota’s trade rumor mill last year, starting in the summer and leading all the way up to the November deadline. Washington ultimately hung onto Allen and later reached the NFC Championship.
The Commanders drafted Jer’Zhan Newton at Allen’s spot last April, meaning they already have his replacement ready and waiting.
Allen has tallied quiet years by his lofty standards in 2023 and 2024 but was a two-time Pro Bowler before that.
Adofo-Mensah spoke at the NFL Combine on Tuesday, acknowledging that his team must improve in the defensive trenches. “To play January football, there’s a certain way you’ve got to play. You’ve got to be able to control the ball, and be able to get after the passer with just four. We need to get better and will,” the Vikings boss told reporters.
That seemed to hint at DT improvement, which Allen would provide this offseason.
Possible Trade Price:
4th- or 5th-Round Pick
Cooper Kupp (WR)
Kupp personally tweeted three weeks ago, “I was informed that the team will be seeking a trade immediately and will be working with me and my family to find the right place to continue competing for championships. I don’t agree with the decision and always believed it was going to begin and end in LA. Still, if there’s one thing that I have learned over the years: there are so many things that are out of your control, but it is how you respond to these things that you will look back on and remember.”
Head coach Kevin O’Connell worked with Kupp in Los Angeles, and the two won a championship together in 2021. Kupp also won the NFL Offensive Player of the Year award that season.
Minnesota may upgrade the WR3 position in the next several weeks, as the incumbent, Jalen Nailor, played “okay” in 2024 but never consistently gashed opposing secondaries or moved the sticks on the 3rd Down.
Kupp, in theory, could change that.
It’s also worth noting that Kupp could be outright released, and Minnesota could scoop him via free agency.
Kupp will turn 32 this summer.
Possible Trade Price:
5th-Round Pick
A Vikings Dream Will Finally Come True
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 Vikings 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.