The Vikings Are Reportedly Shopping for Help at One Position
Don’t look now, but Minnesota Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah may morph into a buyer by the NFL trade deadline Tuesday, with the hints pointing toward a cornerback as the object of his desire.
The Minnesota Vikings rejuvenated their season on Sunday with a win over the Detroit Lions, and they might be sudden buyers at the trade deadline.
Minnesota scored its biggest upset in 15 years on Sunday afternoon, defeating the Detroit Lions by a score of 27-24. The win might thrust Adofo-Mensah into action, hoping to inject talent into his roster with a deal or two.
Vikings Allegedly Seeking Cornerback before Trade Deadline
The market isn’t busting at the seams with CB names, but a few notable men are available.
SI.com’s Albert Breer: Vikings Are CB Shopping
Before Minnesota notched the upset, Breer wrote that the Vikings were cornerback shopping.
“As for buyers, the Vikings and Colts are among a list of teams looking for corners. That market isn’t rich with options, which could make the Rams (McCreary), Browns (Tyson Campbell) and Eagles (Michael Carter II) look smart for striking a little earlier. Indy could also look at adding an edge player, and teams have called to inquire on the Colts’ own surplus of receivers, so a wideout could end up being a chip for them in a trade,” he explained.
And that report hit the digital airwaves on Friday, taking fans by surprise because most expected Minnesota to lose at Detroit and subsequently didn’t think Adofo-Mensah would be a buyer at the deadline.
Now, though, Breer’s declaration holds weight. At 4-4, the Vikings, in theory, could make a run and might need an extra cornerback during the journey.
The Current Group May Not Be Enough for a Playoff Push
Here’s Minnesota’s cornerback setup before Tuesday’s drop-dead marker:
- Byron Murphy Jr.
- Isaiah Rodgers
- Jeff Okudah (Injured with Concussion)
- Dwight McGlothern
- Fabian Moreau (Practice Squad)
- Zemaiah Vaughn (Practice Squad)
- Tyrek Funderburk (Practice Squad)
That unit can do the trick on some days but not all. For example, when Brian Flores’ defense put the clamps on Saquon Barkley two weeks ago, the Philadelphia Eagles reared back to throw, exploiting Murphy Jr. and Rodgers with the majesty of DeVonta Smith and A.J. Brown.
Minnesota will see more WR corps like that, so adding one more high-profile cornerback might be mandatory. Okudah, too, has struggled mightily when healthy.
Who’s Available?
The NFL trade block is never an exact science, but these cornerbacks could be available for the right price:
— Alontae Taylor (New Orleans Saints)
— Denzel Ward (Cleveland Browns)
— Deonte Banks (New York Giants)
— Jonathan Jones (Washington Commanders)
— Joshua Williams (Kansas City Chiefs)
— Tariq Woolen (Seattle Seahawks)
Ward would be the main prize on the list, a four-time Pro Bowler with ties to Adofo-Mensah from the general manager’s Cleveland days. Woolen’s time in Seattle is ending, and with a big, physical stature, Flores might have some fun with the Seahawks’ corner.
Banks was a 1st-Rounder in the 2023 NFL Draft and was actually frequently connected to the Vikings in mock drafts that go-round.
How Much to Spend?
The good news? None of these players will cost much via trade. Besides Ward, none are game-changing corners, and for the most part, they would slide onto the Vikings’ defense as CB3.
It’s unclear if Ward is for sale, but if so, Minnesota could probably land him for a 3rd-Round pick. He’s 28 and likely won’t fetch much more than 3rd-Rounder.
The rest of the men on the list can be obtained for a 4th-Rounder or less. A player like Jones or Williams could even be swiped for a 7th-Rounder.
SI.com on Alontae Taylor
Taylor may be the most gettable corner for the Vikings, and SI.com‘s Patrick McAvoy wrote about him and the Saints over the weekend, “The chatter around the National Football League is getting louder and louder with the Nov. 4th trade deadline inching closer. The New Orleans Saints don’t have the luxury of sitting around and just thinking about the trade deadline.”
“When it comes to the trade deadline, the Saints are 1-7 and unsurprisingly have been talked about as a team that potentially could help contenders by selling off pieces.”
At 1-8, the Saints’ season is basically in the toilet.
McAvoy added, “While this is the case, Sports Illustrated NFL insider Albert Breer shared that the current asking prices for both Rashid Shaheed and Alontae Taylor have ‘scared’ teams away. Taylor is also going to free agency after the season. He has been one of the Saints’ most consistent defensive players this season. But, the same point stands.”
“If the Saints want to move him, they still have a few days to discuss the possibility. Right now, the Saints should absolutely be asking high for these guys and see if a desperate team steps up.’
The trade deadline is Tuesday, November 4th, at 3:00 pm CST.
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