Vikings Could Shoot for the Stars via Trade
Winning at Detroit and straightening out a win-loss record to 4-4 might shove the Minnesota Vikings into action before the NFL trade deadline, and truth be told, the club could shoot for the stars.
All of a sudden, the Minnesota Vikings could be big fish in the league’s trade market, with just one day to go before the deadline and a 4-4 record.
Minnesota took down the Detroit Lions for the first time in three years on Sunday, and all signs point to general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah acquiring a player or two on Monday or Tuesday.
Trade Deadline Suddenly Intriguing for the Vikings
Don’t expect Minnesota to be idle.
The Almighty Shooting for the Stars
In theory, Minnesota’s win over Detroit should ignite a fire to acquire some veteran players via trade.
And if the team wants to dream big, defying conventional logic by adding to roster positions that already have plenty of talent, these men could move the needle:
- RB De’Von Achane (RB)
- RB Breece Hall (RB)
- WR Jauan Jennings (WR)
- DT T’Vondre Sweat (DT)
What does this mean? Well, Minnesota is unlikely to trade for one of these players, but if it were in the mood to contend for a Super Bowl right now, adding Achane, Hall, Jennings, or Sweat could be just what the doctor ordered.
It’s unclear if Miami would part with Achane, but that man would totally ignite the Vikings’ offense in 2025 and for the next 3-5 years.
The Sensible CB Route
Assume momentarily that Minnesota doesn’t get as sexy as hell with trades. There’s a calm and measured approach: trading for a cornerback.
In the win over Detroit, defensive coordinator Brian Flores used just three cornerbacks: Byron Murphy Jr., Isaiah Rodgers, and journeyman Fabian Moreau. That threesome can probably hold its own against mundane opponents, but it won’t last in a playoff run.
Too, the Vikings are one injury to Murphy Jr. or Rodgers away from complete and utter panic. Therefore, cornerback must be the foremost trade need.
These men could be gettable:
- Deonte Banks (New York Giants)
- Alontae Taylor (New Orleans Saints)
- Denzel Ward (Cleveland Browns)
- Tariq Woolen (Seattle Seahawks)
- Joshua Williams (Kansas City Chiefs)
Ward would instantly headline the new CB room. The others could take on the Jeff Okudah role as CB3.
How about a Center?
Ryan Kelly suffered two concussions in three games this season, and it doesn’t feel like he’ll return soon or ever. The Vikings can choose to roll with Blake Brandel and hope for the best — or trade for a proven center.
These players could turn Adofo-Mensah’s head on Monday or Tuesday:
- Aaron Brewer (Miami Dolphins)
- Erik McCoy (New Orleans Saints)
- Ethan Pocic (Cleveland Browns)
- Jackson Powers-Johnson (Las Vegas Raiders)
Minnesota also has 2024 7th-Rounder Michael Jurgens at its disposal.
Anything Else?
Finally, the “other” needs. J.J. McCarthy, Max Brosmer, and John Wolford are the three quarterbacks. If McCarthy suffered another injury setback, would Kevin O’Connell roll with Max Brosmer? If not, Russell Wilson or Jameis Winston could make sense.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter remarked on Saturday, “The Minnesota Vikings did not want to head into this season without an experienced veteran backup quarterback, which is why when they traded Sam Howell to the Philadelphia Eagles they already had a deal lined up with veteran Carson Wentz, who underwent season-ending shoulder surgery last week.
“If that was Minnesota’s thought process before the season, sources believe it would be the same now, with the Vikings still needing an experienced veteran backup for J.J. McCarthy.”
Meanwhile, no team ever has too many EDGE rushers, so players like Bradley Chubb, Matthew Judon, and Tyree Wilson must be mentioned for good measure.
PurplePTSD on a QB Trade
Our Janik Eckardt opined on a quarterback trade: “Sure, Kirk Cousins fits the profile of an experienced quarterback, but the money aspect and the fact that Atlanta hasn’t budged and also wants to have an experienced backup make the deal unlikely. Perhaps getting one of the two veterans from the Giants is more realistic. Jaxson Dart is starting for the Giants, and Russell Wilson was benched for him.”
“Jameis Winston has been the third-stringer all year. They have both played a ton of football in their careers. Winston has always been a boom-or-bust passer, while Wilson hasn’t been particularly impressive since leaving the Seahawks. Still, it’s not too far-fetched to expect them to steal a couple of games like Wentz did if they had to play for one reason or another.”
Eckard also added, “Think back to the Thursday night game in Los Angeles. The Vikings were never competitive during that contest, and in the aftermath, the future seemed quite bleak. J.J. McCarthy was still an unknown, and his last performance left a bad taste in everyone’s mouth while the playoff hopes were dwindling with a 3-4 record in a strong division and with a tough slate of games on the horizon.”
Though nobody thought that team should be a playoff team anyway at that time. Suddenly, the Vikings are 4-4 and have just beaten a strong division rival on the road, and with the trade deadline looming, the approach might have changed for the operation that entered the season thinking it could make a run.”
Adofo-Mensah has fired up at least one midseason trade per year since taking over the Vikings in 2022.
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