Purple Rumor Mill: Jalen Ramsey to Vikings, Gunslinger QB Trade, Dalton Risner
There has been no shortage of Minnesota Vikings-themed rumors in the last five to seven days, an especially popping cycle with the NFL draft less than a week away.
Vikings Rumors: Jalen Ramsey to Vikings, Gunslinger QB Trade, Dalton Risner
Much attention has been afforded to possible draft trades, fodder that dominated the rumor mill this week.
Here’s the purple rumor mill for Sunday, April 20th — the Easter edition.
Rumor: Jalen Ramsey could be traded to the Vikings during the draft.
Miami Dolphins general manager Chris Grier confirmed this week that Ramsey will be traded soon. Grier told reporters on Tuesday: “After a couple weeks of discussions between ourselves internally and Jalen and his representation, we decided that it was probably in the best interests for all parties to move forward.”
“At the end of the day, Jalen did not ask for a trade. So we went through the process and just felt that after numerous conversations and then talking last week with Jalen and his agent, that it was best to move forward and it was in the best interests of the Miami Dolphins and for Jalen Ramsey.”
Then, per Bleacher Report, the Vikings made a shortlist for Ramsey’s services. BR’s Moe Moton wrote, “Like the Los Angeles Rams, the Minnesota Vikings would have to restructure contracts to make room for Jalen Ramsey, but that’s a minor inconvenience in an attempt to patch up their defense.”
“I will say these decisions aren’t done quickly and they’re not taken lightly because we spent a lot of time this offseason working through this, talking through things.”
He also listed the Los Angeles Chargers, Los Angeles Rams, Las Vegas Raiders, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers as Ramsey trade partners.
“Minnesota re-signed Byron Murphy Jr., a versatile cornerback capable of lining up on the boundary and in the slot. Defensive coordinator Brian Flores can mix and match him with Ramsey while the team figures out who can fill in the gaps alongside them.”
“The Vikings haven’t re-signed Stephon Gilmore, leaving a glaring need in the secondary. They signed a couple of placeholder veterans, Isaiah Rodgers and Jeff Okudah, to fill the void ahead of the draft. Last July, Mekhi Blackmon tore his ACL, and he only started in three games during his rookie campaign,” Moton continued.
Veteran corner Shaquill Griffin could be an option, too, for the Vikings later this spring or summer.
“Minnesota can target a cornerback early in the draft, though in a win-now mode, Ramsey makes sense as a quick-fix option to help a pass defense that finished 28th in total yards last season.”
Ramsey will remain a theoretical Vikings’ trade target until he finds a new team because a) Minnesota arguably needs a stud cornerback b) Ramsey and Kevin O’Connell have a connection from the Rams in 2021, even winning a Super Bowl together.
Rumor: Sam Howell is a likely Vikings trade target after Drew Lock signed in Seattle last week.
NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero tweeted one week ago, “Reunion: Veteran QB Drew Lock agreed to terms with the Seahawks, per source. One of the pieces of the Russell Wilson trade, Lock is now back for a second stint in Seattle, this time backing up Sam Darnold.”
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler wrote Friday, “The Seahawks are open to trading Sam Howell and have received inquiries from teams interested in acquiring their backup quarterback, sources have told ESPN.
“That interest comes on the heels of the Seahawks adding Drew Lock last week, re-signing Geno Smith’s former backup to potentially fill the same role behind new starter Sam Darnold. Jaren Hall is their fourth quarterback, giving Seattle a potential surplus at the position.”
Connect the dots, and a backup-quarterback-needy team — like the Vikings — could ship a 6th- or 7th-Rounder to Seattle for Howell.
Rumor: Dalton Risner could be back with the Vikings, though his contract offer didn’t please him.
Risner hopped on social media to update his free agency this week: “Minnesota has shown interest in bringing me back, but only to an extent. I mean, they went out and signed a guard for a lot of money, so it has to be the other side of the ball, and Blake Brandel is a heck of a football player.”
“So. I don’t know what their plan would be with me, but if they’re willing to work with me, I’m willing to work with them, because I love Minnesota so much.”
Risner does this every year — waits until approximately the fifth or sixth wave of free agency to receive interest — and once again, the Vikings could add him this spring or summer on a slim contract.
Otherwise, Risner stated that he’s interested in the Cincinnati Bengals.
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